alnutrition remains a serious concern among older adults, particularly in aged care settings. It’s not just about what food is served but how the overall dining experience engages the senses. Research highlights the powerful role that food odours play in stimulating appetite, offering a promising way to combat poor food intake.
Sensory food cues, especially smells, can trigger memories and emotional connections to food. They can also influence eating behaviours, sometimes leading to undereating or overeating. Studies suggest that exposure to familiar, pleasant food smells can create a sensory-specific appetite, a craving for foods with similar qualities. However, this doesn’t always lead to increased food consumption.
Interestingly, appetite seems to be influenced more by taste-related cues than by the nutritional content of food detected through smell. This is an important insight for aged care providers.
By introducing appealing aromas into meal environments, like the smell of freshly baked bread or a rich stew, providers can help spark appetite and encourage better food intake among residents.
For older adults who may have reduced taste sensitivity or a diminished interest in eating, using food aromas is a simple, noninvasive approach to stimulating appetite and supporting better nutrition. With malnutrition remaining a serious challenge, understanding and applying the connection between smell, memory, and appetite could have a positive impact on resident wellbeing.
It’s time to look beyond the plate and explore how the senses can help improve nutrition and quality of life for older adults.
Tania Walters, Publisher tania@reviewmags.com
PUBLISHER: Tania Walters
GENERAL MANAGER: Kieran Mitchell
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Sarah Mitchell
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Caitlan Mitchell
EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES: Sam Francks, Jenelle Sequeira
ADVERTISING SALES: Caroline Boe
SENIOR DESIGNER: Raymund Sarmiento
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Raymund Santos
Damning Findings from Ombudsman
The
Dementia Australia
Foundation has allocated AUD 3.7 million in research funding as part of its
New Zealand’s aged care sector has come under the microscope following a report published by the Chief Ombudsman, highlighting concerns about the processes of aged care facilities and the wellbeing of residents.
to Resident Preferences
Allowing residents to have a say in their dietary preferences will help to battle malnutrition throughout aged care.
Malnutrition at all Costs
The largest aged care nutritional study in Australian history has indicated that 40 percent of people living in residential aged care are malnourished. A further six percent are severely malnourished.
Improving the Industry’s Future
The Australian Government has invested another AUD 300 million as part of the second round of its Aged Care Capital Assistance Program, which will be used to support residential aged care services in regional, rural and remote locations.
30 Investing in Future
An investment of AUD 2.6 billion will help support the aged care sector with another 60,000 nurses across Australia, and secure the future growth of the industry.
32 Building a Strong Foundation Ōtau Ridge, Clevedon The doors at Ōtau Ridge officially opened in December, and Village Manager, Rebecca Mentor and Sales Executive, Siobhan Cudby, are the dynamic duo at the heart of Clevedon’s first retirement village.
34 Another Year of Momentum
Ryman Announce $1B Equity Rising
Ryman has taken a decisive action to reset balance, announcing an approximate $1 billion equity rising. Ryman Healthcare Limited has announced an approximately NZD 1 billion equity raising (Offer)
comprising a NZD 313 million underwritten institutional placement (Placement) and an approximately NZD 688 million underwritten prorata accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer (Entitlement Offer).
The purpose of the Offer is to enhance Ryman’s financial position in the current market and provide the platform to achieve improved performance and value for shareholders as market conditions recover.
Ryman Chair Dean Hamilton said that the equity raise will reset the balance sheet, reducing pro-forma gearing from 37.3 percent to 23.1 percent and providing Ryman with the foundations to deliver further transformation initiatives, with a renewed focus on its operational reset.
Read more online
Dementia Diagnosis Rate Target Scrapped
UK | Alzheimer's Society UK has announced that the dementia diagnosis rate target has been removed from the NHS Operational Planning Guidance.
As announced by Alzheimer's Society UK, the dementia diagnosis rate target (that 66.7 percent of people living with dementia in England should have a diagnosis) has been removed from the NHS Operational Planning Guidance for 2025 to 2026. Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, responded to the announcements.
"Alzheimer’s Society is shocked to learn that dementia, including a dementia diagnosis target, has been removed from the NHS Operational Planning Guidance. This glaring omission is unacceptable and sends the message that dementia
Careers Campaign Launched
AUSTRALIA | The federal government has launched a new campaign in order to encourage the public to consider careers in health care.
does not matter, and is not considered one of England’s healthcare priorities,” said Carragher.
Read more online
The Australian Government is launching the firstever Australian government advertising campaign to showcase the diverse and rewarding careers available in primary health care.
Primary health care is a term that refers to non-hospital settings like general practice, aged care, mental health services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and other community health settings. By showcasing the diverse, dynamic and rewarding career opportunities within primary health care, the campaign seeks to attract new talent, including university health students and recent graduates, inspire current healthcare professionals to consider primary health care pathways, demonstrate the various pathways into the primary health care industry, shift public perceptions by highlighting the impact, purpose and career growth opportunities in primary health care. Read more online
Scammers Prey on Vulnerable
Care England to Launch Water Tender
UK | Care England has taken bold action by launching a National Water Tender in order to protect aged care providers.
Care England has stepped up to tackle yet another financial challenge facing care providers: skyrocketing water and wastewater bills. With costs set to rise by up to 54 percent from April 2025 – and of up to 70 percent by 2028 – Care England is drawing on the successes of its historic energy tender and launching a National Water Tender to cut water costs so providers can stay afloat.
“These relentless cost increases are placing unbearable strain on care providers. They’re already battling rising National Insurance costs, soaring energy bills, and wider cost-of-living pressures,” said Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England.
“Now, with water bills set to skyrocket, the financial viability of many care services is at further risk. This isn’t just about business expenses; it’s about ensuring that care providers can continue delivering the high-quality support that vulnerable people rely on every day.”
Read more online
AUSTRALIA | Scammers preying on the elderly has prompted aged care advocates to push for tighter laws and protection for the vulnerable.
COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for older people – Chief Executive Officer, Patricia Sparrow said urgent action was essential, with older Australians losing AUD $99.6 million to scammers in 2024.
“Older Australians are falling victim to scam activity at alarming rates, with over 62,000 reported incidents resulting in nearly $100 million in losses last year. These sophisticated scams are having a devastating impact on retirement savings,” Sparrow said.
“This framework will ensure banks, telecommunications companies and social media platforms are held accountable for preventing scams and properly compensating victims when prevention fails, which is crucial.”
Read more online
Summerset Announce Record Profit
Summerset Group Holdings Limited has announced a record full year underlying profit in light of 2024's tough financial climate.
Retirement village operator Summerset Group Holdings Limited has announced a record full year underlying profit for the year ending 31 December 2024 of NZD 206.4 million, up eight percent on FY23.
IFRS net profit after tax was down to $339.8 million with the change largely reflective of the fair value movement of investment properties recognised in 2024, relative to 2023.
Summerset Board Chair Mark Verbiest said Summerset was pleased with the business’s underlying operating performance in light of 2024’s tough macroeconomic environment.
“We have continued to deliver value for our residents and shareholders during a year which has been one of the most challenging we’ve seen as a company.
Read more online
An Act of Community Love
In a generous act of community spirit, Warren and Justene Taylor have donated an entire ambulance to Hato Hone St John NZ.
aving spent more than 47 years of his life in the emergency services, it was a fitting tribute when Warren Taylor, and wife Justene, decided to generously donate an ambulance to the local community in their retirement.
The couple, who reside at Longford Park Village, spent their married life raising their family in the local Papakura community. Their generous donation was celebrated at a special ceremony in Mount Wellington, where they were officially acknowledged for their gift to the New Zealand public.
They have since been honoured with an Order of St John Priory ‘Vote of thanks.’
“St John’s ambulance is a very worthy cause. Plus, we’re oldies
now, so it’s something we might get to use too,” laughed Taylor.
Fascinated with being a fireman as a young child, Taylor served as a volunteer firefighter for 13 years alongside his primary career as a cabinetmaker.
He then “graduated” to being a member of the crash crew at Auckland Airport, where he worked for 34 years.
As the Airport crash crew hovercraft driver, he experienced his fair share of being a first responder onsite at a crash, which reinforced to him the importance of the emergency services.
“There was a lot of training. When the bells sounded, we had to get from one end of the airport to the other in three minutes. In my time there, we responded to six or seven incidents involving aircraft, some of which ended up in the Manukau Harbour.
“I remember one aircraft taking off and going down into the Harbour. Consequently, all we retrieved from that aircraft was a seat and a wheel. Another time, a freighter plane clipped a wing and cartwheeled into the sea,” Taylor reflected.
Over the years, the Taylors have donated regularly to several chosen charities, but their gift to St John’s ambulance was by far, the most substantial.
“Justene and I feel very proud and grateful that we are in a position to be able to do this for the community,” said Taylor. They certainly should feel proud.
Their amazing donation now provides a vital resource for local emergency services to help save lives, and their philanthropy will undoubtedly benefit the wider community for many years to come.
Warren and Justene Taylor, Metlife Longford Park Village
There Ain’t Nothing Like a Dame
It’s not every day you find out you’re related to British acting royalty, so when Orion Point resident, Alana Cooke discovered she shared ancestors with Dame Judi Dench, she was very surprised.
received a phone call from my cousin who told me to turn on the TV to watch ‘Who do you think you are?’ and there was all my family information being relayed; and the person involved was Dame Judi Dench,” said Cooke.
Raised in a family interested in genealogy, Alana researched her family tree more extensively in the 1960s, tracing her roots on her father’s side back to 17th-century Danish Aristocracy.
It was through Cooke’s recorded research that producers of the popular BBC TV show, which delves into the family histories of famous people, reached out to her for more information.
“They wouldn’t tell me which famous person the programme was about but said they would inform me later. I submitted all my information, but I never heard from them. It was during COVID times,
so I didn’t think much more of it.”
Cooke and Dame Judi are both directly related to the first Viscount Molesworth, Ambassador to the Court of St. James, and his neighbour and secretary, Richard Bolton, whose tenures took them from London to Copenhagen in the late 1600s.
Evidently, both men descend way back to William the Conqueror. However, it was their offspring who married, and from whom Cooke and Dame Judi descend. Dame Judi through her mother’s side, and Cooke through her father’s.
“Genealogy is very complicated, but roughly, Dame Judi and I are sixth cousins,” said Cooke.
While their immediate family connection extends back several centuries, you could say that the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, as the women share something in common – a love of the performing arts.
Delving into the family tree uncovered another surprising
discovery for Cooke. The actress Olivia de Havilland, from Gone with the Wind, and her sister Joan Fontaine descend from the Molesworth family.
“So, acting must run in the blood,” said Cooke.
Cooke, who finds genealogy fascinating, said finding out where she descends from has given her a sense of stability and belonging.
“For me, it’s important to know where I came from, it gives me a sense of continuity, and it’s something I can pass on to my children. But it really depends on the person, I’ve got cousins who aren’t in the least bit interested!”
After the show, Cooke reached out to Dame Judi’s agent, offering more family information.
“I asked her if she would like to know more about her Bolton family, and she did. So, I sent her all the family information I had and have since received several notes from her through her family and secretary.”
Alana Cooke, Metlife Orion Point Village
Reduced Level 2 and 3 Fees for 2025
For 2025, we’ve reduced fees on Level 2 and 3 Health and Wellbeing and Cleaning programmes by over 50%*
Learners completing Careerforce training programmes gain the skills needed to achieve nationally recognised health and wellbeing qualifications.
Our work-based programmes cover entry level certificates through to leadership and management diplomas. Talk to us about how we can help upskill your team.
*Applies to Careerforce’s employer-led programmes only careerforce.org.nz/aged-care
277 486
Love and Tenderness
They say love is timeless, and happy new beginnings can turn up unexpectedly at any stage in life.
or residents Derek and Wendy, who met two years ago, this certainly rings true. In September, the delightful couple celebrated their relationship with a beautiful wedding ceremony in the place where it all began at Hibiscus Coast Village.
“Our wedding service was in the Holy Trinity Church in nearby Silverdale, and the following reception at our village was the icing on the cake. It was absolutely beautiful.
Wonderful staff worked so hard to transform the communal area into a fairy tale wedding venue,” said Wendy.
“Catherine, (Village Manager) Emilita, (Duty Manager) Wendy, (Activities Coordinator) and the whole management team just thought of everything to make our day extra special, even helping me
decide on the frock,” she said.
“The food was spectacular, thanks to our amazing village chefs, with the kitchen team still washing dishes the next day.”
The newlyweds met when Wendy approached ‘new resident’ Derek to enquire if he was interested in joining the village choir.
In early 2024, the couple realised their relationship had flourished beyond friendship when they recognised just how much they enjoyed each other’s company.
“At our age, there’s no point waiting until next year or the year after,” added Wendy.
For several months, Derek and Wendy kept their courtship a secret, which the couple said was actually very difficult to do in a friendly retirement village.
The couple, who have six children between them, wanted to break the news to their families first and
admit the respective relatives were a little shocked initially.
“I received a concerned call from my daughter, as she didn’t know I was in a new relationship,” said Derek.
“I was happily married to their Mum for 55 years before she passed away, and Wendy was married for almost 60 years.”
Since then, the two families have met each other and together were thrilled to attend their parents’ happy occasion in September.
The newlyweds spent their honeymoon enjoying a road trip around the Coromandel and birdwatching in Miranda, and now are looking forward to many more trips together.
“We’ve booked a trip to Norfolk Island early next year. We both love to travel, but this village is home. We have a large friends network at the village, and we’re very involved with lots of village activities.”
Happy Couple Wendy and Derek, Metlife
Hibiscus Coast Village
Bringing the Joy of Music
Meet David Anstice. He isn’t just any double bass player; he has been a key member of the Auckland Symphony Orchestra (ASO) for a whopping 28 years. Now living in Parkside Village in Hillsborough, Auckland, he’s not slowing down one bit.
nstice began playing the bass as a youngster over 60 years ago.
“I started learning the bass at Otahuhu College in the 1960s,” he recalled fondly.
Since then, his journey with ASO has been filled with remarkable highlights, including a memorable tour of China in 2007, where they performed in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shijiazhuang.
One of Anstice’s proudest achievements is pioneering the Synthony concerts in New Zealand, blending electronic dance music with symphonic arrangements.
“It was an incredible experience to see the fusion of genres come to life,” he said.
Anstice has also cherished
participating in outdoor concerts, bringing orchestral music to thousands, all for free.
In 2018, Anstice had the opportunity to participate in the world premiere of Chris Artley’s composition, Missa Brevis Akarana, at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland.
“Being part of a world premiere was truly special,” he shared.
Anstice’s dedication to ASO also extends beyond the strings; he served on the committee for 25 years and led the bass section for several years.
Having lived at Parkside Village for ten years, Anstice has played a critical role in welcoming the Symphony Orchestra into his home, where they frequently use the village atrium for rehearsals.
But the long-standing connection
between Parkside and ASO stretches back even further; for over 15 years, ASO members have led the music for the special Sunday Christmas Service at the Village Chapel during Advent. As an ordained Anglican minister, Anstice has been instrumental in organising this event.
“It’s a joy to see the village community come together through music,” he sad.
As the ASO approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025, Anstice has continued to contribute actively, balancing his role as manager at the Community Law Centre in Mangere.
“Music and community service are my true passions.”
David Anstice, Metlife Parkside Village
Social Exclusion Fuels Dementia
The social disadvantage of dementia in New Zealand has been addressed in new public health research and the University of Auckland.
ew research has demonstrated that social disadvantage is a factor fuelling New Zealand’s soaring rates of dementia. In the latest Briefing from the Public Health Communication Centre, researchers reveal the risk of developing dementia is 60 percent higher for people living in the most deprived areas of NZ compared to those in the least deprived areas.
Dr ‘Etuini Ma’u and co-authors from the Department of Psychological Medicine at
the University of Auckland said the research showed higher rates of risk factors for dementia are associated with increasing social disadvantage.
“Māori and Pacific peoples are overrepresented in the more disadvantaged areas of NZ society, with over 40 percent living in areas of high deprivation. These findings indicate that the higher risk and rates of dementia in Māori and Pacific peoples are not due to ethnicity per se but their overrepresentation in areas of high social disadvantage and poverty,” said Dr Ma’u.
Dr Ma’u said this presents opportunities for prevention with broader populationlevel approaches, such as policies addressing inequity, which could significantly reduce the number of people with dementia.
“We know the number of people living with dementia in NZ is expected to double in the next 20 years and triple in the same period for Māori and Pacific peoples. We know the 14 risk factors for the disease as outlined in the recently released Lancet Commission Report and we know good policy can change that trajectory.”
Dr Ma’u said recent estimates indicate that reducing 12 of the 14 risk factors in NZ by just 10 percent could result in 3,000 fewer people with dementia.
“Most risk factors build up across a lifetime. It is their incremental and cumulative damage to the brain that eventually leads to dementia. This shows the importance of promoting brain health in early life and midlife, even when the immediate dementia risk is deemed to be low.”
While a lot of the narratives around dementia concentrate on individual behaviour changes, the Briefing authors say there is a need for effective policies and interventions to address the health inequities associated with poverty and social disadvantage.
“We can also reduce dementia risk with targeted legislative and public health measures reducing availability and marketing of alcohol, tobacco, and unhealthy food, alongside urban planning that promotes exercise and social connection.”
Vital Funding for Dementia Care Projects
Dementia Australia Research Foundation has allocated AUD 3.7 million in research funding as part of its 2024 grant round.
he funding was awarded to 24 projects, including one exploring if viruses can be used to deliver critical genes to boost the brain’s defences against Alzheimer’s disease as well as improving the quality of eyecare for people living with dementia in residential aged care.
University of Wollongong researcher Dr Simon Maksour has been awarded the Race Against Dementia-Dementia Australia Research Foundation Post-doctoral Fellowship worth over AUD 700,000 over five years, for a project that aims to enhance the brain’s inbuilt defence mechanism
against Alzheimer’s disease.
“In Alzheimer’s disease, microglia, the brain’s immune cells, do not function normally and this contributes to disease progression,” Dr Maksour said.
“With this project, we will use technology called adeno-associated virus vectors, to deliver crucial genes to abnormally functioning microglia to see if we can restore them to a healthy state opening up new avenues for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Monash University researcher at the National Centre for Healthy Ageing Dr Marianne Coleman received a Henry Brodaty
Mid-Career Research Fellowship worth AUD 400,000 to improve the quality of eye care provided to people living with dementia in residential aged care facilities.
“We know that people living in residential aged care are more likely to be living with untreated vision loss,” Dr Coleman said.
“We also know that untreated vision loss is a risk factor for dementia as well as increasing the risk of falls or developing delirium”.
By working with experts in eye care and aged care, as well as with people with living experience of dementia, we will develop an eye care pathway and implementation plan to help residential aged care facilities deliver
high-quality eye care for everyone.
Dementia Australia Research Foundation Chair Professor Graeme Samuel AC congratulated the 2024 grant recipients.
“There are an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia and it is increasingly being understood as the public health, disability and aged care challenge facing Australia,” Professor Samuel said.
“The diversity and range of projects selected, from those focused on supporting timely diagnosis and support, to research to improve the quality of care, shows we have a very exciting future for dementia research.”
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said the Dementia Australia Research Foundation’s work wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of donors.
“All funding for Dementia Australia Research Foundation is donated by members of the public and by private and philanthropic organisations,” Professor Buchanan said.
The Dementia Australia Research Foundation acknowledged the generosity of donors who contribute each and every year to support dementia research and the grants program. Since the Dementia Grants Program started in 2000, over AUD 35 million in funding has supported more than 400 projects.
Damning Findings from Ombudsman
New Zealand’s aged care sector has come under the microscope following a report published by the Chief Ombudsman, highlighting concerns about the processes of aged care facilities and the wellbeing of residents.
Peter Boshier Chief Ombudsman
he Chief Ombudsman, Peter Boshier, has voiced his concerns that people can be placed in secure aged care facilities in New Zealand without the proper legal authority.
This has followed the Ombudsman’s release of a report on his inspections and visits to 148 secure residential aged care facilities across the country between 2021 and 2024. Boshier said that the COVID-19 pandemic saw many restrictions imposed in these types of facilities. As part of his regular visiting programme, he wanted to check whether these restrictions had been lifted or at least minimised. He was pleased to say that most of the restrictions he witnessed during the pandemic had been lifted.
“I also identified some areas that need to be addressed, including the lack of independent and centralised oversight around the legal basis for a person’s placement in secure care,” he said.
“In the vast majority of facilities, I found that at least one resident didn’t have a legal basis for being placed there and at a small number of facilities, almost half of the residents didn’t have the proper paperwork.”
Boshier said he had observed varying levels of understanding among facility management, medical professionals, and whānau regarding what is legally required and why someone must be placed in a secure aged care facility.
“I consider there would be significant benefit in establishing a centralised register for
Enduring Power of Attorney to help with these issues.”
As part of his report, Boshier made a number of other improvements he felt could be made, including in the area of restraint. In particular, he said it was alarming to find that restraint policies were not always followed.
“Restraint comes in many forms, including staff using their own body to limit residents’ movement, using equipment to limit residents’ movement, and locking doors to prevent free movement between different areas.”
He added that residents receiving psychogeriatric care were at increased risk of being subjected to excessive restrictions or restraints.
“In many instances, it was clear that staff did not fully understand how certain actions result in residents being restrained, for example, restraint applies to residents who are left in recliner chairs with their legs elevated, where they are clearly unable to move from that position.”
Boshier identified issues around the treatment of residents with dementia as concerning. He said that a small minority of facility staff and management felt that because residents had dementia, they were not capable of making complaints.
He was convinced that it was time to emphasise the point that residents were the experts on their experience of care.
“All residents have the right to share their opinions and be heard. They need ways to let someone know if they feel unsafe or they are dissatisfied with their care.”
Other issues in aged care Boshier found included an over-reliance on family to provide advocacy and support for residents, resourcing pressures across most facilities and staff who were close to burnout.
“I am pleased, however, to see a range of improvements have been made by a number of the facilities I visited. These are still happening, and I encourage all facilities to continue making improvements. I wish to acknowledge the commitment shown by staff I met and observed to delivering the best treatment and conditions to people living in secure aged care facilities,” said Boshier.
“It is vital that the human rights of all residents in our country’s secure aged care facilities are safeguarded and maintained.”
Catering to Resident Preferences
Allowing residents to have a say in their dietary preferences will help to battle malnutrition throughout aged care.
pecialist Nutrition Coach Jo Pannabecker said malnutrition is generally the result of not eating enough protein and/or energy, but can also be a result of acute or chronic conditions, which may increase the body’s energy needs or reduce its ability to utilise nutrients from your food.
It is an issue that can impact any resident of aged care. Malnutrition can occur in an older adult who is underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese.
Pannabecker said that it is of particular concern, especially as older adults are often living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, COPD, Parkinson’s, kidney disease, dementia or dysphagia. Each of these conditions has nutrition challenges that increase the risk of malnutrition for the older adult.
For example, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) makes it difficult to eat and drink
safely, and the resident will struggle to eat or drink enough. They might become afraid of choking and start refusing foods. That’s when carers should change that resident’s texture of the food or drinks to get around the specific challenge that resident is facing, and make eating a safe and enjoyable experience again.
In order to recognise early signs of malnutrition in aged care residents, Pannabecker suggested watching for changes in weight and appetite. She said that under-eating and weight loss are two of the characteristics used to diagnose malnutrition the most.
“Sometimes, weight won’t change but body composition will. Care staff who help residents dress may notice that clothes are not fitting the way they used to. This can indicate the loss of muscle mass or fat, which are two other characteristics used to diagnose malnutrition,” she said.
Pannabecker added that a decline in overall functional ability can be another sign of malnutrition. Low protein intakes and loss of muscle mass will also contribute to this.
In regard to accommodating proper nutrition while considering preferences, cultural or dietary restrictions, it is important to ask the resident for as many details as possible in order to best cater to them and their needs.
Pannabecker said that the same food term can be used in different ways. For example, someone might say they are a vegetarian. This may mean they don’t eat red meat, or they only eat fish, or they don’t eat any flesh at all. Also, it doesn’t automatically mean they like vegetables or eat a lot of plant proteins. Instead, a good question to ask residents would be ‘What did you usually have for breakfast / lunch / dinner at home?’
“If someone has dietary restrictions, it is
Sometimes, weight won’t change but body composition will. Care staff who help residents dress may notice that clothes are not fitting the way they used to. This can indicate the loss of muscle mass or fat, which are two other characteristics used to diagnose malnutrition.
good to ask what symptoms they experience if they inadvertently eat what they shouldn’t,” she said.
“This helps you better understand the relationship the resident has with food, and I think it develops empathy with the resident.”
Once providers are able to understand the what and why of the food preference, they then have to translate that into food on the plate. Getting the details right is where dietitians shine. The expertise of nutritionalists lies in being able to take the science of nutrition and the individual needs of the resident, and translate those into safe, acceptable and pleasurable meals and snacks. The food service team then has the task of making and serving these specific foods or meals to specifications.
Pannabecker added that in most cases, providers will adjust their menu, and sometimes their recipes, to accommodate the individual resident.
Avoiding Malnutrition at all Costs
The largest aged care nutritional study in Australian history has indicated that 40 percent of people living in residential aged care are malnourished. A further six percent are severely malnourished.
he study’s authors, from Monash and Griffith Universities, warn that insufficient processes have meant that many residents are not recognised as being malnourished and remain untreated.
It is estimated that the number of people 60 years and older will double and that those 80 years or older will triple by the year 2050.
The Australian Government has estimated the cost of the malnutrition crisis in residential aged care facilities to be approximately AUD $9 billion a year. A 2021 report by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety outlined that there had been a failure to meet the nutritional needs of people by operators of the residential aged care sector for whom they care.
The Commission specifically identified
improving nutrition as a priority area for immediate attention.
The study spanned 10 facilities across New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland, and involved over 700 residents.
The median age of residents who partook was 84, and 63 percent were female.
According to lead author of the study, Dr Jonathan Foo, from Monash University’s Department of Physiotherapy, good nutrition plays a crucial role in healthy ageing.
“Malnutrition is associated with poorer overall health, increased hospitalisation rates, higher rates of falls and fractures, slower wound healing, higher infection risk, and accelerated mortality,” said Dr Foo.
“Despite such risks, aged care providers are not suitably resourced to perform routine screening using validated tools, meaning many malnourished residents are likely to be
undetected and therefore, untreated.”
Dr Marie-Claire O’Shea from Griffith University’s School of Health Sciences and Social Work said older Australians deserve better nutritional care, and the time is now when malnutrition is a national problem.
“The rates of malnutrition can vary from home to home with some statistics reporting up to 78 per cent, however, our study, which was significant in number, reported a rate of around 40 per cent,” Dr O’Shea said.
“Early malnutrition identification is just the first step, as improvements in food quantity and food quality are also required. We are working with aged care providers and residents to enhance the dining experience, and we believe this is the key missing piece of the malnutrition puzzle.”
Australia’s aged care sector is responsible for more than 190,000 individuals, and for more than two decades, has encountered significant scrutiny in regard to its handling of the malnutrition crisis.
The study also recommended regular screening, as it has become crucial to identify those who need a full malnutrition assessment and intervention.
“Our research group is currently working on implementing automated malnutrition screening and food-first malnutrition support pathways with our forward-thinking aged care partners,” Dr Foo said.
“The sector is already overwhelmed by all the requirements of providing care to ageing Australians, we need to focus on approaches that overcome challenges rather than burdening providers.”
Palliative Care Medicine Shortage
A shortage of essential palliative care medicines has been felt by patients, especially those in end-of-life-care.
Growing shortages of essential palliative care medicines in Australia are having a devastating impact on patients, especially those nearing the end of life, and the clinicians who care for them.
“Patients are suffering unnecessarily, enduring heightened pain and distress, because the medications that typically control their symptoms are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive,” said Dr Peter Allcroft, Chair, Palliative Care Australia.
“I am even aware of people ending up in hospital as a result of not being able to access the medicines they need – adding to the distress families feel and placing further pressure on our overstretched hospital system.”
Read more online
Cota Welcomes Medicare Pledge
COTA said the Government's announcement on Medicare would be a welcome relief to ageing Australians.
Making it cheaper for Australians to see a doctor by strengthening Medicare will help ease cost of living pressures facing many Australians, including older Australians, COTA Australia has said.
The call comes in response to the Federal Government’s announcement that it will invest AUD 8.5 billion into Medicare to extend bulk-billing to all adults. The reform
Views Sought for Portal Design
The Australian Govern-ment has sought views on the design of a national registration scheme to support personal care workers.
The Albanese Government is seeking views on the design of a national registration scheme to support personal care workers employed in aged care, including new training and mandatory minimum qualification requirements.
The scheme will support the growth of a strengthened and skilled aged care workforce, where personal care workers are better valued for the important role they perform, and with greater professional development opportunities and improved conditions.
It will also play an important role in ensuring aged care is a safe place with appropriate protections for older people. Read more online
has now gained bi-partisan support.
COTA Australia – the leading advocacy organisation for older people – Chief Executive Officer, Patricia Sparrow said the announcement will come as welcome relief to Australians, including many older Australians, who have historically been ineligible for bulk-billing incentives.
“Anything that eases the cost of living pressures facing Australians is welcome,” Sparrow said.
“The fact that both major parties have committed to ensuring the future of Medicare is incredibly important.”
Sparrow said that, for too long, the industry had been in a situation where many Australians over the age of 50, and indeed Australians of all ages, have been forced to think twice about whether they can afford to go and see a doctor.
“Whether or not you can see a doctor shouldn’t depend on how much money you have in your bank account,” Sparrow added.
“This is a common-sense reform that will hopefully improve the wellbeing of older Australians while also helping to ease some of the cost of living pressures people are facing.”
Sparrow said the next step in Medicare reform needs to focus on the introduction of a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme. Read more online
OPAN has welcomed a new industry report on First Nations and a commissioner proposal for the Australian aged care sector.
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has welcomed the Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner’s report, calling it an important step forward for the sector.
The report, Transforming Aged Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, outlined key findings and recommendations for the Commission going forward based on feedback received from older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
OPAN CEO Craig Gear OAM said members from OPAN’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advocates Network were consulted in the development of this report and now want to see action.
“I congratulate the Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner Andrea Kelly for delivering this comprehensive and detailed report,” Gear said.
“OPAN endorses the recommendations, particularly the development of a 10-year transformation plan codesigned in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
Gear added that OPAN agreed there was a need for a permanent role in order dedicated to the support of First Nations people in the aged care sector.
Read more online
RSL Calls for Better Veteran Legislation
RSL Australia has reiterated its call for all sides of the Federal Parliament to pass new laws governing veteran compensation and entitlements without further delay.
The RSL has called for the simplification and harmonisation of veteran rehabilitation, compensation and entitlement laws over many years, and as far back as August 2022, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide agreed with submissions made by the RSL and many ESOs and recommended that Government take urgent action to achieve this.
The Royal Commission found existing laws to be complex and confusing, leading to frustrating delays in processing claims. Difficulty navigating the claims
system and lengthy delays in receiving entitlements have impacted veterans’ mental health, leading to suicidality and suicide. Read more online
New Members for National Aged Care Advisory Council
The Albanese Government is pleased to announce the new Chair and members of the National Aged Care Advisory Council.
Professor Sue Gordon will join the Council as Chair in January 2025.
Professor Gordon brings a wealth of experience in the aged care sector, having previously been Research Director at Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA).
Professor Sue Gordon is joined by new members Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Dementia Australia, Associate Professor Mark Yates, Geriatrician at Ballarat Health Services, Charles Moore, CEO of BaptistCare, and Peter Doukas OAM, Chair of Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia.
Read more online
The National Aged Care Advisory Council has welcomed a new Chair and selection of new members to the Council's board.
Improving the Industry’s
The Australian Government has invested another AUD 300 million as part of the second Assistance Program, which will be used to support residential aged care services in regional,
his funding will help ensure that older people can access quality and safe aged care services, regardless of where they live.
Grants can be used by residential aged care providers for a range of purposes – from upgrades, extensions and new builds to delivering purpose-built staff accommodation.
Providers located in all regional, rural and remote areas (MM 2 to 7) can apply. Grants are also available to help specialist providers build and improve services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in any location, including major cities (MM 1).
The Albanese Government has continued
to invest funding at unprecedented levels to support providers outside of major cities to provide older people with more comfortable and modern amenities, more liveable spaces and more appropriate cultural care.
Last year, the government delivered AUD 385 million in funding under Rounds One and Two, which supported 128 infrastructure projects nationwide, mostly in regional, rural and remote locations.
Aged Care Minister Annika Wells said that the choice to enter residential aged care shouldn’t mean a choice to leave a community.
“Older people should be able to access the care they need, regardless of where they live or what services they need. This AUD 300 million
Future
second round of its Aged Care Capital regional, rural and remote locations.
funding package will improve access to quality aged care from the regions to the bush, and for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities nationwide,” said Wells.
“This is also about building thriving, prosperous communities, with funded projects generating new job opportunities across the construction and care sectors.”
This announcement followed an earlier investment this week of AUD 12.5 million to tackle dementia with a funding package that will support people living with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Research has suggested the number and strength of all head impacts over a lifetime—
not just concussions—have a significant impact on the likelihood of developing CTE.
The AUD 12.5 million in funding will be provided to Dementia Australia, who have worked with rugby league immortal Wally Lewis to raise awareness of the impacts of CTE.
Dementia Australia will develop and deliver a national pilot program of support services for people impacted by CTE, and a national awareness and education program in schools to protect the brains of Australian children.
Dementia Australia’s campaign will be informed by consultation with teachers, parents, students, researchers, sports organisations, medical experts and people with living experience of probable CTE.
Sport plays a critical role in Australian life, but the Government has acknowledged that concussion and sports-related head injuries impact young people more than any other age group.
In Australia in 2021 to 2022, around 1,600 people between the ages of five and 24 were hospitalised with sports-related concussion.
The Albanese Government recently released the National Dementia Action Plan 2024 to 2034, marking the Government’s commitment to Australia being more dementia inclusive.
“It is critical we educate sporting clubs, teachers, parents and school children about the importance of looking after our brains for life and who better to get that message across than The King, Wally Lewis,” said Wells.
She added that everyone has one brain and it needs to be looked after, and by investing in support and building a better understanding of CTE and its impact on individuals, families and communities, is money well spent.
“We know that concussion and sports-related head injuries affect young people more than any other age group, so we want to make sure our kids have the knowledge and skills to help them compete more safely.”
Investing in Future
An investment of AUD 2.6 billion will help support the aged care sector with another 60,000 nurses across Australia, and secure the future growth of the industry.
In an attempt to boost the Australian aged care sector, the Australian Federal Government has announced it will invest a further AUD 2.6 billion to deliver another pay rise for 60,000 aged care nurses across Australia. This has the government’s total investment in support of award wage increases for aged care workers to AUD 17.7 billion.
This funding will support aged care providers to meet the Fair Work Commission’s Aged Care Work Value Case decision to increase award wages for registered and enrolled nurses caring for older people in Australia.
This decision will result in registered and enrolled nurses seeing their award wage increase by an average of around 12 percent. These increases will be provided in three largely equal instalments, beginning in March 2025 and followed by October 2025 and August 2026.
The Albanese Labor Government has also committed to pay rises for workers to ensure the aged care sector delivers a higher standard of care for older Australians.
Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said the package has already had a positive impact on retention and recruitment in the sector and relieved the cost of living pressures for
essential aged-care workers.
“Aged care nurses are experts in their field, and they deserve to be rewarded for the crucial role they play in delivering safe and quality care to older people in Australia,” said Minister Wells.
“Under a decade of Coalition governments, aged care workers, who are predominantly women, were systemically underpaid and undervalued. That ended with the Albanese Labor Government.”
Minister Wells added that since 2022, a registered nurse who was on level 2, pay point 3 will have seen their award-wage rate increase by around AUD 430 per week, an increase of more than AUD 22,000 a year. An enrolled nurse who was on pay point 2 will have seen their award wage increase by around AUD 370 per week, an increase of more than AUD 19,000 a year.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Murray Watt, said that increasing the award wages for aged care nurses was part of the government’s mandate to rebuild the aged care workforce and close the gender pay gap.
“We are focused on making sure aged care nurses are paid fairly and are valued for their important work,” said Minister Watt.
“This is another example of the Albanese Government’s actions to get wages moving again, which have seen Australians’ wages rising above inflation for five quarters in a row.”
Building a Strong Foundation Ōtau
Ridge, Clevedon
The doors at Ōtau Ridge officially opened in December, and Village Manager, Rebecca Mentor and Sales Executive, Siobhan Cudby, are the dynamic duo at the heart of Clevedon’s first retirement village.
ith a degree in Health Science and years in the construction industry, Siobhan Cudby has a unique knack for understanding both people and the details that make a house a home.
“I never ended up using my degree,” Cudby laughed.
“I went straight into construction, selling house and land packages for Jennian and Signature Homes. I loved helping people design and plan their homes, choosing every little detail.”
Now at Ōtau Ridge, her role as Sales Executive has allowed Cudby to blend her experience with her passion for people. Her favourite part of the job has been meeting new customers and helping them envision their ideal retirement lifestyle.
“I love talking to people and really getting to know them. Everyone has a different dream for their retirement, and it’s so rewarding to help bring that to life.”
With over 14 years of experience in retirement village living, including a decade as the Village Manager at Metlifecare’s Dannemora Gardens retirement village in Botany, Rebecca Mentor brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her role.
L-R: Siobhan Cudby and Rebecca Mentor
“I’ve always loved working with people,” Mentor said.
“During my time with the Department of Health, I worked with older people and those with disabilities. I also spent a decade with the Justice Department, so it’s always been about connecting with others and helping to make a difference.”
Mentor’s deep understanding of retirement village lifestyles shines through in her work. She’s passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where residents can thrive in their golden years.
“I’ve met many people who have come from large homes they can no longer manage or situations where they’ve been quite isolated,” she explained.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the relief they feel when they move into a community like this. They gain security, connection, and often a fantastic social life!”
Mentor spoke highly of the upcoming amenity building, which will include a café and bar, a cinema room, a wellness centre and even a hair salon.
“The amenity building is going to be stunning. It’s a beautifully designed space for residents, friends and family to connect and socialise. And it has incredible views across the plains and out to the Hunua Ranges.”
Ōtau Ridge has already woven itself into the fabric of Clevedon. With a focus on sustainability, there is an emphasis on community integration, and it will be New Zealand’s first retirement village to achieve a Green Star Community rating.
“The village will eventually connect to Clevedon’s Bridle Trail and offers residents easy access to everything Clevedon has to offer – from its cafes and shops to the Bowling Club and Farmers Markets,” said Mentor.
“We’ve built good relationships with local businesses and community groups. We use local catering for events, and we source locally made Christmas gifts for our customers. We’re also looking forward to sponsoring the Clevedon Bowling Club and even having a village float in this year’s Christmas parade.”
With the first 38 villas complete and residents now moving in, Cudby and Mentor have looked forward to the opening of the amenity building in a few months’ time and
the 41-bed care home later this year.
“It’s such an exciting time,” Cudby said.
“We’re looking forward to seeing this community grow and flourish.”
For Mentor, the village has represented the best of retirement living.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t hesitate to move into a place like this myself one day. My husband’s already pushing for it.”
Another Year of Momentum
Michelle Palmer Executive Director, RVA
Since taking over the reins in August last year, the past six months have been a busy time for Michelle Palmer, Executive Director of the Retirement Villages Association.
stand-out priority that has been a key focus for the RVA has been the review of the Retirement Villages Act, which she considered a significant shift for the sector. The announcement from Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka and Seniors Minister Casey Costello confirmed that the Government will focus on updating the Act in order to bring it in line with sector best practice and strengthen
transparency, such as introducing a plain language version of the code of practice.
Palmer said that the key priorities the Government has identified have aligned with the sector’s commitment to improving the way the retirement village model works for both operators and residents.
“New Zealand’s retirement villages’ sector has been proactively rolling out the most significant reforms in a generation for the past three years under its Blueprint for Improvement.
Despite supporting the change, the RVA’s biggest concern regarded imposing mandatory buybacks of licences to occupy. Palmer said that the Association certainly didn’t disagree with operators sharing in the pain of a lengthy settlement, regardless of whether it is the operator’s fault or more
likely subdued market conditions.
“But the time that an existing retirement unit is refurbished, put on the market and then sold is just the start of the journey. That new purchaser most usually has to place their house on the market, make a sale and then get a settlement before they can move to their village,” she said.
“The money previously paid by the original purchaser will have repaid the bank, or been reinvested in the village - certainly there is no pot of money available as some people suggest.”
Palmer said the only way that a mandatory period could possibly work would be for villages to hold large lines of credit with the cost that would bring.
“At the very least it would quickly make smaller regional and charitable villages insolvent and disappear and increase costs for all parties.”
Misinformation has posed several challenges within the sector recently, and was something that Palmer considered an important issue that needed to be addressed. She said the RVA had provided a voice of reason to let people know that the sector is continuously looking at how it can improve its practices and the experience for residents.
“This is a sector that has undertaken huge transformation as it has grown and reflected and it will continue to do so. We are very keen to get on with making further changes.”
Palmer added that other contributing challenges within the sector included rising operational costs, and the cost of construction materials and maintenance. She said the ability for villages to recruit and retain good staff also has its difficulties. She said although challenging, the sector wasn’t immune from finding a solution.
Focused on the next year, Palmer said village operators want certainty and clarity, which will allow them to continue meeting the demands of the over 53,000 New Zealand seniors who live in retirement villages, and, importantly, the 130 people who make the move to village life every week.
“We look forward to continuing to work with village operators, the Government, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Retirement Villages’ Residents’ Council and the Retirement Village Residents Association.”
