Highest to lowest: Every Victorian aged care home food rating and ranking revealed

In Victoria, there are 284 aged care homes where one person or more claimed to never be happy with the food they were served. See who is serving up culinary delights and who falls short.

EXCLUSIVE: Hundreds of aged care homes across the country have residents who say they never like the food, a national survey has found.

In Victoria there were 284 homes in the state where it was recorded that one person or more claimed to never be happy with what they were served.

AdventCare Yarra Ranges, in Warburton, was the lowest ranked facility in the state and the home where most people – 54 per cent – said they never liked the food.

AdventCare CEO David Reece said the survey was too simplistic and the results were from a moment in time. He said the 42-bed facility had a “homely environment”, its own kitchen and proper chef.

AdventCare Yarra Ranges, in Warburton, was the lowest ranked in Victoria.

“We say to people if you want to see what our food is like, come and visit,” Mr Reece said. He said when it comes to food, residents have their say and management listen.

The results come from a national annual survey of up to 20 per cent, or more than 36,200 aged care residents across Australia who were asked, ‘Do you like the food here?’. The answers were collected last year.

The results – which also include other questions such as whether residents feel safe or whether the staff know what they’re doing – are important because they carry a 33 per cent weighting towards the overall Star Ratings score for each home.

Analysis of the data by the Department of Health and Aged Care shows enjoyment of food in aged care has remained the same over the past three years. Each year around seven out of 10 residents answer positively.

During that period there has also been a slight decrease in the prevalence of significant unplanned weight loss.

The median spend on food has also increased by $2.52 since 2022 to $14.92 per resident per day.

Allawah Special Care Hostel, in Yarrawonga, achieved the highest food score in the state, with three quarters of residents always liking the food and a quarter liking it most of the time. It achieved a score of 3.75 out of 4.

Allawah Special Care Hostel in Yarrawonga was the highest ranked.

The Greek Community Home For The Aged in Earlwood, Sydney, topped the national table with a perfect score of 4 out of 4.

Estia Health Bankstown in Sydney was the lowest ranked home in the country with a food score of 1.84 out of 4.

The government is bringing in a new Food Standard from July 1 which will measure whether residents get plenty of food and drinks they enjoy and are nutritious, appetising and safe, and meet their needs and preferences.

Minister Mark Butler said older Australians have “worked their whole lives, they deserve tasty, nutritious food in aged care”.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Chef Yan Xu and residents of St Bedes aged care home Gloria Mcara and Arthur Andonpoulos enjoying the food that is being prepared at the aged care home. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Sheridan Fredericks, Regional Hospitality Manager for Catholic Healthcare – which had 30 homes ranked in the top 100 – said their meals must meet strict nutritional standards, with protein and calcium carefully balanced across every meal and snack, and “monitored as closely as clinical care standards”.

He also warned if aged care homes “don’t look at the bigger picture”, then their satisfaction rates are likely to stay low.

“Residents are more willing to give feedback when they feel good about the whole dining experience, not just the food,” Mr Fredericks said.

“It’s also crucial to involve residents in the process. Let them know you’re listening — show them how their feedback has influenced the menus or the dining experience. That’s what we’ve learned … it’s essential to close the loop.”

Originally published as Highest to lowest: Every Victorian aged care home food rating and ranking revealed