Our Care Home Food

For every resident at Coate Water Care’s homes eating and drinking well is crucial to their health and well-being.

A healthy and balanced diet has a significant impact on physical and mental wellbeing. This is a universal truth, whether you are a man or a woman, seventeen or seventy years old, robust or frail.

At Coate Water Care we invest a huge amount of time and effort into making sure that the food and drink that we prepare for both our residents and our shorter term patients is healthy and enjoyable. The key to getting this right can be summed up in one phrase – when it comes to the perfect diet, one size does not fit all.

Everyone has their own routines, preferences and needs. Some people also have limitations. With elderly people, especially those with dementia, it’s important to think about what they can physically manage.

The food may vary slightly from home to home. Each menu depends on the needs of the residents and also the local produce we are able to source. But the small print of the menu aside, we have a series of common guidelines around good eating and nutrition practice. These guidelines are in place at every Coate Water Care Home and every member of staff is trained to follow them.

A typical weekly menu at Coate Water Care. Click here to download a sample menu.

. Eat little but often. For many of our residents, regular snacks or small meals are better than set mealtimes.

. Make food look and smell appealing. Use different tastes, colours and smells. The aroma of cooking can stimulate someone’s appetite. Provide food the person likes, but remember, tastes can change, so be flexible.

. Try different types of drinks. It doesn’t always have to be a cup of tea. Why not a milkshake?

. Cold food can be a real appetite killer. Serve half portions to keep food warm and reheat if appropriate.

. If a person is having difficulties chewing or swallowing, try naturally soft food such as scrambled egg or stewed apple.

. Encourage people to get involved at mealtimes. Some of our residents love to lay the table!

. Create a relaxed environment – make mealtimes a social time that people look forward to.

. Make the environment as stimulating to the senses as possible: familiar sounds of cooking, smells of the kitchen and food, and familiar sights such as tablecloths with flowers can all help.

. Some people enjoy eating with company; others prefer to eat on their own. Sometimes this will vary from one meal to another. Either way, make sure the person has enough space.

. Don’t worry about mess; it’s more important for the person to eat than to be tidy.