At HC-One, we know that food not only provides residents with the nutrition and energy they need, but that mealtimes are also an important social experience that bring routine, happiness and joy into our days.
We have spoken with Development Chef Chris Bonner, Nutrition and Hydration Lead at HC-One, who explains why good food and nutrition is especially important for older people, the number of ways in which HC-One is empowering thousands of residents across the UK during mealtimes.
What’s on the menu at HC-One?
People living in our care homes can be sure to enjoy a variety of delicious, home-cooked meals, with something different on the menu every single day. Whether it’s a hearty stew or roast chicken with mash and vegetables, our recipes are carefully designed to contain the recommended balance of nutrients and enough calories to maintain energy levels throughout the day.
Did you know approximately 20% of our energy is used up by the brain each day? That’s why it’s so important to consume enough food and drink, as this not only keeps our body healthy, but it keeps our mind healthy, too.
How we address allergens
We adopt a person-led approach to care at HC-One, which means we cater towards each resident’s individual preferences and requirements at mealtimes. This of course includes allergies and intolerances, which are identified during a thorough pre-admission assessment with residents before they move into our homes. Each home’s kitchen keeps a copy of these dietary requirements to hand.
Because allergic reactions can lead to serious health problems, we provide thorough training to colleagues to ensure food is adapted where required, and is prepared and served safely without cross contamination.
Texture-modified foods: Giving you like-for-like
This is one of the most important aspects of food and nutrition at HC-One care homes, because the ability to swallow food decreases with age. This is called dysphagia, and it affects around 3,000 residents living in our care homes. This means that their food requires texture modification, to make it easier for people to eat it safely.
That is why HC-One’s menus are carefully crafted to accommodate texture-modified diets. Most foods can be texture modified, which is why 95% of our menus can be adapted for residents living with dysphagia. This ensures they still receive nutritionally balanced meals that are safe for them to enjoy.
Colleagues working in our homes have received specialist training to learn how to prepare food safely for residents with dysphagia, in line with the
International Dysphagia Diet Standards Initiative (IDDSI). This framework explains the types and textures of foods needed by people who have difficulty swallowing.
While some Residents will require soft, pureed, or liquidised foods, this does not have to come at the cost of great taste and presentation. For example, a Resident with dysphagia can still enjoy fish and chips from our menu. After checking the resident’s dietary information, the home’s Chef must puree the food in line with the IDDSI framework. The Chef prepares the dish, conducts the relevant tests to ensure the texture is modified correctly, and presents the meal in a way that best resembles a typical plate of fish and chips.
Catering to plant-based preferences
At HC-One, we aim to do more than simply offering a vegetarian option – we are exploring the vibrant world of plant-based cuisine, ensuring flavour and variety. Our recent
Vegan & Vegetarian Development Days are a brilliant example of this commitment to give our Chefs the skills to introduce more plant-based options.
Chefs from across HC-One homes came together to learn from industry experts showcasing mouthwatering vegetarian and vegan recipes. By demonstrating that plant-based food can be exciting, flavourful, and incredibly satisfying – our Chefs are so excited to be introducing these dishes into our care homes.
Accommodating for different cultures and religions at mealtimes
At HC-One, we are proud to call ourselves home to residents from various diverse backgrounds, so it is important we make every single person feel welcomed and included in every element of their care.
We actively encourage residents to provide feedback about our menus, to help us continuously improve and refine our approach across our homes. For residents with specific cultural and religious beliefs, this includes working closely with residents and their families to identify those nutritional needs, which ultimately helps us to engineer a diverse menu that accommodates people from all walks of life.
What is the dining experience like at HC-One?
While serving up delicious and nutritious food and drink is one of our top priorities at HC-One, we recognise that mealtimes are just as much about the dining experience as they are the food.
Our kind, caring teams take great care to ensure our residents enjoy a positive dining experience, by making sure room characteristics are just right down to the last detail – considering the temperature, lighting, cleanliness, noise, layout, and colour.
Did you know the ambient dining temperature for residents is between 19 and 21 degrees, and that the best lighting for eating is a subtle diffused light?
By creating a pleasant atmosphere in dining areas, residents feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed. They can therefore engage their senses better, meaning the brain ‘switches on’ the digestive system to get ready for food.
Good food is just one of the many ways we provide the kindest possible care to residents living in our homes at HC-One. To find out more about the kind care we can provide you or someone you know, please contact one of our professional Careline advisors on 0333 999 8699.