Know Your Residents This Christmas

The Christmas season is a time of celebration, connection, and comfort - but in aged care homes, it also presents a meaningful opportunity to put the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards into practice, particularly when it comes to food, choice, and emotional wellbeing.

With the new Standards now in effect, aged care providers must ensure that residents are offered meals reflecting their individual preferences, cultural backgrounds, and personal needs. This person-centred approach sits at the heart of the new Standards and is especially meaningful during the holiday season, when food and celebration carry strong emotional and cultural significance.

Food is memory
Christmas means different things to different people, especially when it comes to food. For some, it’s the scent of roast turkey or fresh seafood; for others, it might be mince pies, fruitcake, or a favourite dessert from childhood. These personal associations often evoke powerful memories and a sense of comfort, connection, and home.

That’s why it’s important to ask residents what Christmas means to them. By listening closely and thoughtfully incorporating their preferences into your festive menu where appropriate, you not only create a more meaningful experience, but also uphold the principles of dignity, choice, and inclusion embedded in the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.

A festive menu with nutritional integrity
Festive foods often differ from standard menus, but that doesn’t mean nutritional requirements should be compromised. It’s important that all Christmas offerings still meet essential dietary needs – including protein, energy, fibre, vitamins, and minerals.

For example:

• Offer fortified versions of favourite dishes to support residents with higher nutritional needs
• Ensure texture-modified options are festive and visually appealing
• Balance indulgent items with nutrient-rich sides like vegetables, fruit, and wholegrains
• Working with an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) helps ensure your festive menu not only delights residents but also meets compliance standards.

Celebrate inclusively
While many residents enjoy the festive spirit, not everyone feels the same way about Christmas. Some may associate this time of year with grief or loneliness. Others may come from diverse cultural or religious backgrounds where Christmas is not celebrated.

Knowing your residents also means recognising and respecting these differences:

• Provide quiet spaces or alternative activities for those who prefer not to engage
• Offer culturally appropriate menu options
• Work with staff to sensitively support residents who may find the season emotionally difficult

Create a familiar and joyful environment
Beyond the food itself, the atmosphere matters. Decorations, music, and themed events can create a warm, celebratory environment – ensuring they reflect the personalities, cultures, and traditions of the people who live there. Involve residents in decorating where possible and tailor experiences to feel personal.

Make it one to remember
By truly knowing your residents – what they enjoy, what they need, and how they feel you can design a Christmas experience that uplifts and honours the individuals in your care.

The team at Nutrition Professionals Australia would be delighted to work on your Christmas menu with you and can help to ensure full compliance with the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.