At Optimum Intake Dietitians, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based nutrition assessment and Medical Nutrition Therapy for residents in Residential Aged Care Facilities.

Our aged care dietitians work collaboratively with nursing, medical and catering teams to support residents’ nutrition, health outcomes, and quality of life — while helping facilities meet best-practice and accreditation expectations.

What Our Individual Resident Reviews Include

Each dietitian consultation follows the Nutrition Care Process, ensuring structured, outcome-focused care.

We provide:

  • Comprehensive nutrition assessment
  • Identification of nutritional risks, dietary challenges and clinical priorities
  • Individualised nutrition care plan and written report
  • Practical, food-based recommendations for care and catering teams
  • Ongoing review and follow-up to monitor progress and adjust care strategies

Our reports include clear, actionable recommendations that are realistic within the residential aged care environment.

Our Approach: Food First, Supplements When Needed

We prioritise a “food first” approach, focusing on:

  • Food fortification strategies
  • Improving meal enjoyment and intake
  • Supporting mealtime experience
  • Cost-effective nutrition interventions

Oral nutrition supplements are recommended when clinically indicated, ensuring residents receive the right level of nutrition support without over-reliance on supplements.

When Should a Resident Be Referred to a Dietitian?

Dietitians provide Medical Nutrition Therapy for a wide range of clinical and quality-of-life concerns — not just weight loss or malnutrition.

Common referral reasons include:

  • Unintentional weight loss or poor intake
  • Malnutrition or risk of malnutrition
  • Chronic wounds and pressure injuries
  • Diabetes management
  • Dysphagia and texture-modified diets
  • Bowel and gastrointestinal concerns
  • Food allergies and intolerances
  • Dementia-related eating challenges
  • Hydration concerns
  • End-of-life nutrition and comfort feeding

Recommended Service Frequency

We typically recommend dietitian visits on a fortnightly to monthly basis, depending on:

  • Facility size
  • Resident acuity
  • Number of high-risk residents
  • Accreditation and quality priorities

Service schedules can be tailored to meet your facility’s needs and budget.

Flexible Service Delivery Options

To ensure continuity of care, we offer multiple service delivery modes:

Standard On-Site Visits

Preferred model for comprehensive resident assessment and staff collaboration.

Limited-Contact On-Site

Reduced contact model when infection control or operational constraints apply.

Remote Telehealth Dietitian Services

Ideal when on-site access is limited or for facilities in regional or remote areas.

Our structured telehealth model ensures high-quality care by including:

  • A pre-assessment data collection template for your team
  • Scheduled case conference with nursing and care staff
  • Resident consultation via phone or video where appropriate
  • Detailed nutrition report with recommendations for both clinical and catering teams

Residents with complex needs receive a coordinated care approach regardless of service delivery mode.

Why Facilities Partner With Optimum Intake Dietitians

  • Experienced aged care dietitians
  • Clear, practical recommendations for care staff
  • Strong collaboration with nursing, GPs and food services
  • Support for texture-modified and high-risk residents
  • Flexible service models for changing facility needs

We work as an extension of your care team to support resident health, safety and quality of life through best-practice nutrition care.

Enquire About Dietitian Services for Your Facility

Contact our Aged Care Team to discuss a service model tailored to your residents and facility.