As we get older we are likely to have to adapt to changes that can affect what we can and cannot eat.

It may be that we have had to have dentures fitted, or have developed a condition such as diabetes or have simply become more physically frail.

In this article we are looking at how we ensure that all our residents have the right, nutritious and tasty diets and help with eating if they need it.

When a new resident arrives, they will already have an individual care plan that includes any dietary needs. This information is given to our chefs so that they can plan menus and ensure they have the right ingredients.

Some residents may struggle with chewing and may need a soft food diet, or a liquidised meal, while others may need help with eating and we have a variety of specially-shaped spoons for those who need them. Our care assistants are always on hand to help at mealtimes for those who need it.

It is important to us that our residents feel comfortable and that their individual tastes are catered for, allowing for any restrictions on diet.

Meat and fresh vegetables are bought from a local butcher and greengrocer so that we can provide the best quality ingredients in residents’ meals.

We have two chefs, each working four days on and four days off. Each chef will plan their menus to ensure balance and variety for the four days of their next shift and, wherever possible, they will try to include residents’ suggestions for meals.

Although there is no set menu as such, all the menus for three meals a day for each resident for the month ahead are shown on a whiteboard in the kitchen.

It may sound like a complicated exercise in planning but we feel it is important that our residents feel at home, are healthy and happy.