Quality Standards Resource Centre

This resource is the Dementia Australia website. The website contains information about the types of dementia, testing, diagnosis, treatment and management of dementia. It includes information about living with dementia, such as behaviour changes, nutrition, staying connected and care options. It also contains information for professionals supporting people living with dementia, including research, tools and other resources. 

This resource discusses how dementia impacts communication abilities, including memory and language challenges. It offers practical strategies for enhancing conversations and maintaining connections, emphasising the role of speech pathologists in supporting communication. The resource provides guidance for family, friends, and caregivers to create dementia-friendly environments.

This resource provides handouts tailored for people with feeding, chewing, or swallowing difficulties and their carers. It explains the IDDSI framework, describing food texture levels and appropriate testing methods. Separate versions are available for adults and children, each detailing recommended food textures to support safe swallowing practices.

This resource was developed internationally and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

This resource provides the IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) framework, including testing methods, detailed level definitions, audit tools, and implementation guides across language regions. It supports consistent application and understanding of diet textures for people with dysphagia, aiding caregivers in managing dietary needs safely and effectively.

This resource was developed internationally and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

This resource provides specifications for adult diets tailored to inpatient use in NSW hospitals, including allergy-specific and therapeutic requirements. Although intended for inpatients, it can serve as general guidance for dietitians and food service providers in creating meal plans for diverse health needs. This resource applies to healthcare contexts outside of aged care.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

This resource provides guidelines on managing swallowing difficulties in aged care by using texture-modified diets and thickened fluids. It explains various food texture levels and fluid consistencies for safe swallowing, offers practical meal preparation tips, and highlights the importance of regular reassessment by a speech pathologist

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

This manual offers practical guidelines on food and nutrition best practices in aged care homes, covering menu planning, meal enjoyment, hydration, and malnutrition prevention. It includes checklists, screening tools, and dietary considerations tailored to the needs of older people.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

This resource provides nutrition guidelines and support for older people to prevent malnutrition, reduce falls risk, and promote independence. It includes meal planning, dietary tips, and training for service providers, especially those supporting home care.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

This resource offers evidence-based standardised care processes for aged care providers, covering high-risk clinical areas such as falls, pain, incontinence, and dehydration. It provides structured guidelines to support best practices, ensuring consistent and safe care for older people in residential settings.

This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.

This resource provides heart-healthy eating and nutrition resources for health professionals to guide patients. It includes practical advice on managing high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, and increasing omega-3 intake. The materials support long-term dietary changes through recipes, meal planning tools, and educational guides to promote heart health.

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) provides interpreting support for people with limited English proficiency and agencies requiring assistance to communicate with non-English-speaking clients. Services include telephone, on-site, and video interpreting, with options for both government and fee-paying clients across Australia.

This resource provides guidance on the food safety standards in Australia, specifically Chapter 3 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. It outlines requirements for food businesses, focusing on safe food handling practices, hygiene, and equipment standards. The resource helps aged care providers comply with regulatory standards to ensure safe and suitable food for vulnerable populations.

This resource provides guidance on maintaining healthy nutrition as people age. It covers key considerations such as increasing calcium intake, managing changes in appetite, and the importance of hydration. It also offers practical advice on reducing salt, fat, and sugar consumption, ensuring proper bone health through calcium and vitamin D, and maintaining a balanced diet to support overall health and well-being in older adults.

This resource provides guidance on using accurate, respectful, and non-stigmatising language when discussing dementia. It emphasises avoiding negative terms, promoting dignity, and listening to individuals' preferences. It includes suggestions for talking about dementia symptoms, behaviour, and the impacts of dementia on individuals and their families, promoting understanding and reducing discrimination.

This paper presents a high-level overview of contemporary evidence regarding food services in residential aged care settings.

This resource focuses on structured clinical handover processes to improve communication during patient care transitions. It highlights the importance of standardising handover procedures to make sure relevant information is effectively communicated, reducing errors and enhancing patient safety, especially during care transfers in healthcare settings, including aged care. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

This resource provides tools and guidance on improving clinical communication to enhance patient safety. It focuses on key communication touchpoints, such as handovers, decision-making, and care transitions. Designed to support healthcare providers, it offers practical strategies to reduce errors and improve outcomes in aged care and other healthcare settings. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

This resource provides information on a free translation service for government-subsidised aged care providers, enabling communication in languages other than English. It helps aged care providers reach diverse communities, including culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, First Nations people, and those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, supporting culturally inclusive care. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.

This resource shares positive stories about food, nutrition, and dining improvements in aged care facilities. It highlights initiatives that enhance the dining experience, including resident involvement in meal planning, use of fresh and seasonal ingredients, and creating more social and enjoyable mealtime environments. These stories demonstrate best practices and innovative approaches to improve resident satisfaction and wellbeing. 

This resource provides information on a free translation and interpreting service funded by the government for aged care providers. It supports effective communication with older people from diverse backgrounds, offering language translation, sign language, and captioning services to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in aged care. 

This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.