The British Dietetic Association (BDA) Care Home Digest is a toolkit designed to support care homes across the UK with their food and drink provision. Built to guide managers, nurses, carers and catering teams in delivering food services that meet residents nutritional and hydrating needs while maintaining high standards.

Part 1: Nutrition and hydration needs, screening for malnutrition and care planning

Focusing on nutrition, hydration, screening and care planning, this chapter highlights the importance of changing needs in older adults, particularly around nutrition and hydration. It also encourages routine screening for malnutrition risk and recommends personalised food and fluid care plans for residents to manage the risks.

Ensuring nutrient dense foods is one of the best differences when combating malnutrition. Without this, residents could experience weakened immunity, reduced mobility, lower mood and in severe cases mortality. Homes are encouraged to offer fortified options, foods rich in protein and vitamin B12 are available for those residents who need them as part of daily routine.

Hydration is equally important and ensuring fluids are readily available throughout the day is also a good way to try and avoid dehydration. Adding flavourings like watermelon and mint or citrus gives a variety to drinks or simply offering tea and coffee. With dehydration comes confusion, urinary tract infections and kidney problems, so being ahead is crucial.

Part 2: Delivering a positive mealtime experience

Beyond the physical food, this chapter highlights connection and atmosphere during mealtimes. It is more than just nutrition and fuel, the meals are about pleasure, dignity and connection. Quite often a highlight of the day, the guidance suggests homes create warm engaging conversations around mealtimes.

Keeping the food experience engaging for them can help with well-being and one way to do this is by varying service styles.Small changes such as allowing residents to choose at the point of service, presenting meals attractively and offering condiments at the table can make a difference to appetite and enjoyment. Even allowing them to get involved in setting tables or helping with food prep can boost engagement and give a sense of independence back to them.

Snack time, which can often be overlooked, is actually a great opportunity to keep residents engaged and get in some extra nutrition. Setting up a veggie dipping platter with hummus and dips can turn their routine into enjoyment.

Part 3: Menu planning and design

A good quality menu is at the heart of catering care as it should be designed with resident preferences, routines, culture and dietary requirements in mind. Having a thoughtful menu rotation can help avoid repetition without creating waste, which is so important with budgets and inflation. Other ways to implement cost savings is by repurposing leftovers and using seasonal produce.

Allergies and dietary requirements also need to be throughout when structuring a menu especially when it comes to reaching protein or calorie goals. It could be easy to forget about snacks but this can be a great way to get in extra nutrition between meals. Serving up fortified snacks like cereal bars or yoghurts can really help. 

Part 4: Special diets

This section covers special dietary needs and how to cater to your residents who are suffering with them. The Digest reinforces that every resident should be able to enjoy meals that are dignified, visually appealing and nutritionally appropriate, regardless of their condition or background. It encourages care homes to use colour, different plating techniques and flavour. Understanding these needs and building them into everyday planning helps ensure every resident is supported to eat and drink well. Some examples included in the Digest are:

– Dysphagia management and following the IDDSI framework for texture modified meals and drinks

– Dementia and adapting to the behaviour and preferences of residents

– Vegetarian or vegan and ensuring enough protein, B12 and iron intake

– Nutrition support and fortified diets for residents at risk of malnutrition.

The BDA Care Home Digest is here to provide clarity, structure and support the delivery of great food with your workers, residents and home in mind. The Digest is designed to provide clarity and support so you can deliver great food with your workers, residents and care environment in mind. Two helpful tools within the document are:

Mealtime Service Checklist: Allowing teams to observe and audit how meals are being delivered, focusing on environment, dignity and engagement. 

Menu Assessment Checklist: Framework to review existing menus ensuring they provide the right nutrition, variety and special diet coverage.

Check out the BDA Care Home Digest