Hospitalisation data released today by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety further emphasises Dietitians Australia’s call for mandatory malnutrition screening and quarterly re-screening of aged care residents.

Tackling malnutrition by elevating the importance of nutritious food for older Australians is Dietitians Australia’s key focus at tomorrow’s National Congress on Food, Nutrition, and the Dining Experience in Aged Care.

Food and nutrition has been identified as one of four concerns requiring immediate attention in the Final Report handed down by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety today.

Senator the Honourable Richard Colbeck, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, today shared how dietitians are a key part in creating generational change in aged care to ensure older Australians are adequately nourished.

Sent January 2021 - Dietitians Australia wrote to Hon Mark Butler MP, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing, and Clare O'Neil MP, Shadow Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, following news of their appointments. And to request a meeting to discuss the role dietitians play in the health and wellbeing of older adults.

Sent April 2021 - Dietitians Australia expresses concern about continued raised rates of ‘unintentional weight loss’ in residential aged care homes. This was sent to the Hon Greg Hunt, Minister for Health and Aged Care, and Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, requesting a meeting to discuss.

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.

Released February 2021 - Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) play an important role in improving health outcomes of Tasmanian residents and Australians, with investment in dietetic clinical governance and leadership critical to address the existing deficiencies in this area, as well as the poor access to dietetics services.

Released January 2021 - Reforms to aged care systems are required to better support the health of older Australians. This group have reduced capacity to care for themselves, making it vital to improve the standards of food, nutrition and dining experiences for those in aged care facilities.

Released March 2021 - Additional learning, in the form of a new educational unit for all workers within the aged care and disability sectors, should be introduced to give employees a more contemporary, informed view on ageing. A standardised unit across both sectors would be ideal, due to regular crossover of employees between the two areas of work.