First National Meal Guidelines from Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is a godsend to many people in this country.
It involves food being delivered to a person’s house at a very reasonable price, to save making it themselves or having to go out to shop.
The service is used not only by the elderly but also by those who because of illness or recuperating from surgery, cannot get out to shop for themselves or cannot make their own meals.
There is a variety of choices available; main meals, soups, desserts, salads or a combination of them all.
The person can have enough food delivered for the whole week or just for certain days. The food can be delivered both fresh or frozen – depending upon the area. It is usually delivered by one of the Associations 78 700 volunteers from the 740 branches across the country.
The food is sometimes made by Meals on Wheels itself, but most often by Aged Care Centres in the area.
Because the food is most often going to the elderly, there is a strong need for it to be nutritionally balanced for that group. This means that there needs to be a higher fat and protein content than would be found in equivalent frozen or fresh meals in supermarkets.
Therefore the Australia Meals on Wheels Association has partnered with the Smart Foods Centre, University of Wollongong to produce The National Meal Guidelines.
It is the first time a national approach has been set for meal planning, presentation and nutrition for delivered meals for the elderly. It will also be great resource for aged care centres, respite centres and community centres.