New food framework

Aged care providers are encouraged by peak bodies to adopt IDDSI to help tailor diets to individual needs, and in doing so deliver greater food choice and improved food safety to residents. It also provides a universally recognised description of a resident’s diet.

“Older people can have problems with swallowing, as well as jaw and teeth problems,” Bill says. “The introduction of IDDSI is a risk mitigation measure too, as well as ensuring we meet our residents’ nutritional and textural requirements.”

Each aged care resident at IRT has been assessed and allocated an IDDSI food and beverage texture level. The initiative has a framework to describe levels of food textures and drink thickness. There are eight levels (zero to seven), where drinks are measured from levels zero to four, and foods are measured from levels three to seven. Common terms and colours are used to describe and identify the texture and thickness of each level. For example, regular, easy-to-chew food has black labelling and is rated at level seven, while liquidised food has yellow labelling and is rated at level three.

Bill says the introduction of IDDSI is addressing what can be a real issue for our residents.

“What it means for residents who have difficulty swallowing is that their meal can be the same recipe and have the same flavours as what’s on the menu, it’s just a different texture. We are working on introducing more meals and a range of morning and afternoon teas into the menu we offer for each IDDSI level. It’s also about bringing back the joy of eating.”

Bill’s comments on the joy of eating reflect the sentiments of renowned cook, food author and restaurateur Maggie Beer, who featured in The Good Life (Summer 2017). She established the Maggie Beer Foundation in 2014 to help older people, particularly those in aged care, have access to “food full of flavour and nutrients”. She also spoke about the importance of choice when it comes to food.

For more information about IDDSI and its framework visit iddsi.org.