Supporting Compliance, Nourishment, and Joy Through Food
At Optimum Intake Dietitians, we believe food is more than fuel, it’s connection, comfort, and care. Our dedicated Residential Aged Care team works alongside aged care providers across the Central Coast, Newcastle, Sydney, and remotely in rural and regional areas to deliver expert nutrition services that are compliant, compassionate, and consumer-focused.
We understand the pivotal role food plays in the physical, emotional, mental, and social wellbeing of older Australians. That’s why we don’t accept that malnutrition and weight loss are inevitable in older age. Instead, we recognise these as signs that nutrition and mealtime support need to be adapted.
Our dietitians provide tailored, evidence-based strategies to support residents with:
We work hard to ensure every resident is well-nourished, enjoys their meals, and has access to food that enhances both quality of life and health outcomes.
With the introduction of the Aged Care Quality Standards (2024), food, nutrition and dining experiences are recognised as core to safe and quality care. Our team supports your facility to meet and exceed expectations in:
Standard 1: The Person – Ensuring resident choice, dignity, and culturally appropriate meal options
Standard 2: The Organisation – Supporting continuous improvement in food services and nutrition-related care
Standard 3: The Care – Delivering comprehensive nutrition assessments, care planning, and monitoring
Standard 5: The Environment – Advising on dining environment, mealtime assistance and enjoyment
Standard 7: Feedback and Complaints – Helping address resident food-related concerns and implementing improvements
Our dietitians are well-versed in the regulatory requirements and quality indicators, ensuring that your organisation is:
We don’t just work with residents, we partner with your entire team. Our collaboration with:
ensures food and nutrition are integrated into all aspects of care and operations.
From menu reviews and IDDSI implementation to malnutrition screening protocols, our support is practical, aligned with best practice, and tailored to your facility’s needs.
A dedicated Residential Aged Care team with aged care expertise
Flexible service delivery – onsite or remote
Focused on nourishment, enjoyment, and individualised care
Supportive of accreditation and quality improvement goals
Experienced in Home Care, CHSP and DVA nutrition services too
At Optimum Intake Dietitians, our dedicated Residential Aged Care team specialises exclusively in aged care nutrition, it’s not just part of what we do, it’s our focus. Our team brings extensive experience, sector-specific knowledge, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within residential aged care settings.
We take the time to understand your facility, your residents, and your goals, delivering tailored, practical solutions that enhance both resident wellbeing and regulatory compliance.
Leading the team is Holly Pickford, an experienced and passionate dietitian who provides clinical support, guidance, and quality improvement leadership across our Residential Aged Care services. Holly plays a key role in connecting our work with the Aged Care Quality Standards, supporting our team and partnering with facilities to make meaningful improvements in food and nutrition care.
“The best part of my job is contributing to a positive workplace culture and ensuring that the Residential Aged Care team at Optimum Intake Dietitians feel supported. We can make such a difference in providing a link between management, clinical and catering teams in Residential Aged Care Facilities. The part I find most satisfying is when we have built a relationship of trust and established a plan, whether that is around malnutrition screening as a team, or coming up with an intervention for an individual. Knowing that our team works hard to establish nutrition care aligned with the Aged Care Quality Standards and works together alongside passionate teams in Aged Care Facilities, making a difference to those who need it most is the best part of my role.”
– Holly, Team Leader
Please note:
All Optimum Intake Dietitians attending on-site visits in residential aged care facilities meet the required government and sector-specific compliance standards, including:
Up-to-date COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, as per current public health orders
National Police Check and NDIS Worker Screening (where applicable)
Adherence to infection prevention and control protocols, including hand hygiene, PPE use, and risk minimisation strategies
Commitment to Standard 6: Safe and effective care under the Aged Care Quality Standards, ensuring we support the safety, dignity and wellbeing of every resident
We work collaboratively with each facility to meet site-specific entry requirements and ensure our services are delivered safely and respectfully.
Holly Pickford
Aged Care Team Leader
Dietitians in residential aged care deliver menu reviews and planning, texture-modified diets, malnutrition screening, staff education, mealtime audits, resident assessments, and individual nutrition care plans tailored for older adults.
Proper nutrition supports immune function, wound healing, muscle strength, and quality of life. In a residential environment, risks like unplanned weight loss, dehydration, malnutrition, and swallowing difficulties are higher, and a dietitian helps prevent these and supports health outcomes.
Yes. We analyse the existing menu for nutritional adequacy, variety, seasonal produce, resident preferences, cost constraints, fortification strategies, and foodservice practicality. We provide actionable recommendations and ongoing monitoring to optimise dietary quality.
We carry out individual assessments (e.g. weight, BMI, intake, lab values, appetite), risk screening (malnutrition risk, weight loss), and regular reviews. We track outcomes, adjust care plans, and provide reports to facility leadership, nursing teams, food service and allied health.
