Creating personalised meal plans: how we help meet dietary needs

As we age, our bodies go through remarkable changes, and so do our nutritional needs. This can bring unique challenges like shifts in appetite, new diagnoses, and starting medications. That’s why personalised meal plans are essential for supporting our health and wellbeing as we get older.

Our passion for nutrition support

At Wesley Mission Queensland (WMQ), we’re passionate about guiding our customers through these dietary transitions with expertise and compassion. We offer personalised meal plans as part of our home care packages and to our residential aged care communities.

We also provide services at our allied health wellbeing centres in Chermside and Sinnamon Park, ensuring tailored nutrition support is available to those who need it. In addition, we are proud to provide private health, NDIS, fee-for-service, and Medicare-funded services, making it even easier for a wide range of individuals to access the nutrition support they need.

Expert insights from our dietician

Dietician Maree De Jonge, a valued member of the WMQ team since 2022, works closely with both current customers from our services and the broader community. She shares:

We assist with various conditions, including chronic disease management, weight management, and gut health. We’re involved in the management of meal plans, both specific and general with our home support packages and residential aged care.

Maree also highlights the collaborative approach, often working in partnership with the other WMQ allied health teams. ‘We handle the nitty gritty calculations so people can enjoy their meals; they don’t want to be counting calories!’

Tailored meal plans for every need

Before crafting a meal plan, our skilled dieticians conduct a thorough assessment of each person's health, dietary preferences, and lifestyle. This process includes:

• Reviewing medical history
• Considering medications (since some can alter appetite or necessitate dietary changes)
• Accounting for cultural preferences
• Understanding living situations
• Consulting with both the customer and those close to them

When creating meal plans, they emphasise variety and balance, focusing on food that is not only nutritious but also simple to prepare, keeping any physical limitations in mind.

Beyond nutrition: enhancing quality of life

Personalised meal planning goes beyond nutrition; it enhances quality of life. By understanding individual preferences and needs, we help our customers enjoy a varied, balanced diet that supports them. Our goal is to empower people, particularly older Australians, to maintain independence at home for as long as they choose. As Maree emphasises:

In the older population, nutrition is so important, especially in preventing any unplanned weight loss and maintaining muscle mass. If we can keep people at a good, healthy weight and keep them strong at home, that's ideal.

Ongoing support and flexibility

Our commitment extends beyond meal planning; we provide ongoing support through regular check-ins, feedback, and resources to help our customers thrive. At the Fulton Wellbeing Centre near Dovetree Aged Care Community in Sinnamon Park and the Wheller Garden Centre in Chermside, Maree and all our dieticians ensure that both general meal plans in our residential aged care and personalised meals meet nutritional needs.

‘We pride ourselves on our flexibility,’ she says. ‘We offer both in-centre visits and home consultations, making it easier for those who may struggle with transportation.’

Thanks to strong partnerships, many customers are referred to our dietician team by allied health professionals, including physiotherapists and speech pathologists.

We also offer brokerage services for home care package providers who don’t have their own dieticians.

Reassuring and empowering customers

Maree likes to reassure customers that working with a dietician is far less intimidating than it might seem.

“People often think we’re the ‘food police,’ but we’re here to add nourishing options, not take away the joy of eating. Yes, you can still enjoy chocolate, unless you have an allergy!” she laughs.

This relationship between dietician and customer is an ongoing journey, often involving family and other professionals. “It’s rarely a one-off situation,” Maree explains.

We usually work with clients until they achieve their goals, and seeing those outcomes is incredibly rewarding. We provide continuous follow-up, so hopefully, they don’t get tired of us!

At WMQ, we’re passionate about helping seniors enjoy a fulfilling, nutritious diet that supports their health and enhances their quality of life. Together, we can make a real difference in their journey to wellness.