Ngaire Hobbins, ‘What is the role of nutrition in dementia?’

With more than half of the people living in residential aged care having a diagnosis of dementia, and the real percentage likely to be far higher due to the prevalence of undetected dementia, the commissioners determined that “dementia care should be core business for aged care services”. Lee-Fay Low, Associate Professor, Ageing and Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, told HelloCare that she also has concerns about the quality of dementia care being delivered in Australia, both from what she has read in the media, but also from her own observations in the field.  Read More

The Governor-General was handed the report of the aged care royal commission on Friday. It will be made public in the coming week. Overlaying its considerations has been Australia’s 909 deaths from COVID-19, more than two-thirds of them (685) people in aged care facilities. It has to be recognised that COVID accounts for an extremely small share of deaths in Australia, and even deaths of senior citizens. 127,082 Australians aged 70 and over died in 2019. To date 851 in that age group have died of COVID. Some good might come from these sad deaths if they prompted us to think about where we are likely to die. Read More

For many seniors, appetites can change significantly, due to various factors, including lifestyle changes, effects of illness or medication or lack of mobility to purchase and prepare meals. Regardless, to age well and feel well, it is always important to choose healthful foods and enjoy a variety of nutrients to support energy and wellbeing. There... Read More