New Zealand has an unspoken crisis - older adults are starving in care facilities, and no one is talking about it. Up to 93% of Kiwis entering aged care are malnourished or at risk, a statistic so dire it makes international figures (20-50%) look almost benign. Current estimates place nearly 35,000 seniors in aged care facilities.
But a new Kiwi-designed healthcare model, recently showcased at a global ageing congress, is proving change isn’t just possible, it’s overdue.
The approach is refreshingly simple; let residents take back control of their food. Instead of bland, institutional meals dictated by outdated systems, aged care residents are involved in everything from menu planning to recipe creation and even meal prep. Some even teach professional chefs how they like their meals made.
Source: Seniors © Pojoslaw | Dreamstime.com
The shift also opens the door to greater flexibility in dietary choices, including the potential for more plant-based options to meet changing nutritional needs, allergies, and personal preferences.
Emily Jakubcik, dietitian and head of food service at retirement community operator, Arvida, says the results are undeniable. In just 12 months, malnutrition scores among residents on the programme improved from 9.1 (at risk) to 11.1 (well nourished).
“Malnutrition isn’t just about being underweight, it increases infection risks, slows healing, and leads to muscle loss,” says Emily Jakubcik. “But we’ve normalised weight loss in older adults, when in reality, it’s not inevitable.”
The model doesn’t just focus on individual choice; it also integrates cultural needs. A Māori advisory board has overseen the introduction of traditional foods and preparation methods, including on-site hāngis.
International interest is growing, with healthcare providers from as far away as Portugal keen to replicate the success.
“This isn’t rocket science,” Emily Jakubcik says. “Give people control over what they eat, and they’ll actually want to eat it.”
Turns out, dignity and good nutrition go hand in hand. Who knew?
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