Food & Nutrition

Home Care Packages Providers Manual Specified Exclusions
Version 1.3 (9.4) Page 71 Jan 2023
Food (except as part of enteral feeding requirements or items listed under food for special medical purposes as per the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code– Standard 2.9.5
In relation to meal services and whether food can be included in a HCP:
• preparation and delivery of meals can be included
• the raw food component of those meals cannot be included, except in the case of enteral feeding.
The Department has not mandated a standard split/ratio for the raw food component. This is a business decision for the company providing the meal services to calculate how much the raw food component is. Home care providers should discuss with the care recipient the amount of the raw food contribution, as well as how and who it is paid to, as part of the negotiation with the meals provider and the care recipient. Food referred to as ‘takeaway’ is also an excluded item. ‘Takeaway’ food is generally defined as food you would buy from a restaurant or food outlet

One of the most contentious issues is about food and nutrition and diets, where too many recipients are missing out due to the lack of clarity and contradictions causing providers to allow subsidising the preparation and delivery of those frozen delivered meals at a ratio of 70% of the full cost of the meal ( for a meal costing $10 for example, the consumer would be out of pocket $3 and the HCP takes care of the remaining $7), as the raw food component is not allowed to be subsidised.

However if one doesn’t find those meals adequate for reason of culture, health issues etc. as indicated to be acceptable exceptions, special bread for example is regarded as a raw component and not subsidised, which doesn’t make sense, as we all know that bread requires a lot of preparation with a mix of components and is not a singular element. Many recipients are finding themselves having to buy everything themselves without subsidy, and having to find the right person to prepare, cook, and store meals that address the health and cultural needs, which ends up costing the HCP much more! Combined with the lack of support for gardening and raised gardens (see Gardening below) this impacts everyday living for so many recipients who don’t fit in the square of being able to digest ready prepared meals delivered by 'approved meal suppliers', ending up In malnutrition and health decline.

Home Care Packages should help support adequate and available nutrition for seniors.

Malnutrition a 'serious problem' in older Australians
ABC News 11th July 2024
In fact, 68 per cent of people living in aged care are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. And up to one in two elderly Australians in the community may have an insufficient diet.

My support workers do the best they can and are very adept at multi skilling, however I can honestly say that their cooking skills leave a lot to be desired. Additionally even one of them who claimed to be a chef and restaurateur had such unsafe food handling techniques, that all the meals went into the bin for fear of gastro! Support workers are crucial for us to remain at home but the government is asking too much of them and not reciprocating with better pay and conditions. The responsibility of “good meals” for in home aged care consumers rest squarely on the relevant government departments. MO

It is the persons choice of what they want to eat not only from the large approved providers. If your local cafe does great meals, why can’t you purchase from them? Providers should not be dictating from whom you can and can’t get meals from! SM

Comments & Discussion

These are frozen delivered meals. Gave me food poisoning. I tossed it and I’ll toss the whole order. SM

I tried out most of the 'approved' meal supply companies, and no, I couldn't live on any of those meals. You have to order a minimum amount and a few meals would be ok and the rest absolutely not and ended in the bin. I wasted my funds trying them out, only one company had a few I would keep for emergencies. ST

My mum was lucky to be the recipient of Vegepod raised garden beds. Having poor eyesight and mobility, these garden beds have made her life much more enjoyable. She grows veggies, herbs and annuals in them. They are easy for her to ensure they are kept watered without danger of tripping over hoses and she doesn't need to bend over to tend to them. She takes great pride in what she grows in them. I make most of our meals to include the veggies and herbs she has grown. What a shame this option has now been taken away from others on HCP's. JM