Sent May 2021 - Dietitians Australia expresses concern about the continued raised rates of ‘unintentional weight loss’ experienced by elderly Australians in residential aged care homes. This letter was sent to the Shadow Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Clare O'Neil MP, requesting a meeting to discuss the issue.

Letter excerpt

Dietitians Australia is calling for the following actions:

• The National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator for ‘unplanned weight loss’ should be replaced with ‘malnutrition’ in residential aged care, as malnutrition risk and prevalence are not captured in the current quality indicator
• In accordance with ‘Recommendation 38’ in the Royal Commission final report, there should be a mandate that approved providers of residential aged care employ (or retain) at least one dietitian, leading to improved quality of life for residents and savings of millions of dollars
• The Australian Government should urgently develop and implement a national policy for nutrition care in residential aged care, which includes standards for meals and the mealtime environment, standards for assistance with eating and drinking, and annual obligations to a review (by an Accredited Practising Dietitian) on the nutritional adequacy of food provided to residents

For more read the full letter.