Lutheran Services - The Aged Care Food and Dining Experience

Innovation in aged care offers opportunities to create positive and inclusive change. Globally, healthcare systems are realizing the importance of customer-focused care, especially, when funding is limited. Residential aged care providers have traditionally focused on ensuring the health and safety of their residents. However, there are opportunities to address residents’ needs and enhance their well-being without compromising their health and safety. The case explores a not-for-profit healthcare service organization seeking to make improvements to meals that will improve nutrition, but do not require a significant financial investment. This case examines the role of food and nutrition and also positions the dining experience as a mediator for residents’ quality of life.

The case can be used in graduate level or advanced undergraduate level courses on healthcare management, leadership and healthcare systems, and healthcare innovations (healthcare governance and management innovations). It can be used to underscore the opportunity for innovation in aged care organizations. And the case offers an opportunity for innovative thinking to improve residents’ well-being, specifically to improve the food and dining experience in aged care and to reduce the risk of malnutrition and its various consequences. After working through the case and assigned questions, students should be able to achieve the following learning objectives:<br><br><ul><li>Understand the changing demographics and market challenges facing aged care organizations in Australia.</li><li>Identify key drivers for innovation in residential aged care.</li><li>Identify the benefits of positive food and dining experiences in residential aged care.</li><li>Propose practical and efficient strategies to improve residents’ food and dining experiences.</li><li>Summarize aspects of a governance framework that can support these innovations.</li></ul>

• health care systems, management