End of Life Nutrition Care

Compassionate, Dignified Support Through the Final Stages of Life

Nutrition plays an essential role in supporting dignity, comfort, and quality of life during the final stages of life. At Optimum Intake Dietitians, we approach end-of-life nutrition with compassion, flexibility, and respect—ensuring that each resident’s wishes, needs, and preferences guide the care they receive.

Our role is not just about nutrients, but about preserving comfort, connection, and control during a deeply personal time.

The Role of Nutrition in End-of-Life Care

As part of advance care planning, decisions around eating, drinking, and nutrition become especially meaningful. Whether texture-modified meals, thickened fluids, or enteral feeding are involved, care must be taken to:

  • Honour individual preferences and requests

  • Avoid unnecessary interventions that may cause distress or discomfort

  • Focus on enjoyment, comfort, and symptom relief, rather than nutritional optimisation

  • Support both residents and families with understanding, empathy, and reassurance

How We Support Aged Care Facilities

Optimum Intake Dietitians help ensure that:

  • Nutrition Care Plans reflect the changing goals of care

  • Comfort and dignity are prioritised over clinical targets

  • Feeding approaches are flexible, appropriate, and aligned with palliative best practice

  • Staff feel confident supporting residents with altered intake, changing swallow function, and reduced appetite

  • Families are included in conversations, supported in decision-making, and reassured by compassionate care

We work collaboratively with nursing, palliative care, catering teams, and family members to provide nutrition care that is gentle, respectful, and person-centred.

Our Services Include:

  • Reviewing and updating Nutrition Care Plans for palliative residents
  • Supporting appropriate use—or withdrawal—of texture-modified meals and thickened fluids
  • Advising on comfort feeding, flavour fatigue, and enhancing pleasure through food
  • Managing safe food and fluid options to reduce risk while supporting autonomy
  • Consulting on end-of-life enteral feeding needs, including timely de-escalation
  • Liaising with palliative care and speech pathology teams as part of holistic care planning

Aligned with the Aged Care Quality Standards

Our approach to end-of-life nutrition supports:

  • Standard 1: The Person – Upholding dignity, choice, and compassionate care

  • Standard 3: The Care – Supporting tailored, respectful clinical decisions

  • Standard 6: Food and Nutrition – Ensuring nutrition enhances wellbeing, not burden

Let us help you provide comfort, dignity, and nourishment in the most meaningful way.
Contact Optimum Intake Dietitians for support with end-of-life nutrition care in your facility.