Caring through food
04 AprAt Lilian Faithfull Care we have a big focus on food; a dozen chefs and their team of nearly fifty staff cook from fresh each day to provide tasty nutritious food for residents and day guests. What is less known is the chef’s expertise in providing for those on specialist diets, including people who may have difficulty in chewing and swallowing, which is known as ‘dysphagia’.
There is a wide range of conditions in later life which can affect someone’s ability to chew and swallow food. However with the right knowledge and skills many people can retain the pleasure in food and drink. The catering team follow international dysphagia guidance adapting food and liquids to suit each person.
Deputy Catering Manager and Nutrition Advisor Lucy Collins explains, “There are lots of adaptions we can do to make sure the texture and thickness of food and drinks are suitable. We always keep the adapted meals as close to the usual menu options as possible. We start with the same fresh ingredients.”
There are a fantastic range of piping techniques for purees so that they reflect the original food. This was one of the skills that Chef Oscar learnt during his apprenticeship at the charity “I was surprised what you can do with it when you are taught properly how to pipe it.”
The beautiful presentation is not only important in the enjoyment of food and retaining of dignity at mealtimes but it is key in stimulating appetite and therefore improving nutrition.
The team work together with the support from speech and language therapists when for extra advice and input is needed. Having the right adaptions made to food and drink mean residents can eat and drink with confidence, benefit from a varied and appetising diet and continue to enjoy sharing a meal with others.
Watch our video to see the team in action and contact the homes to find out more.
Thanks to Esther Clow, videographer and editor, for kindly creating this video for free.