‘Slop and party pies’: Why I ate lunch at an aged care home

Aged care homes have had a bad rap for their culinary offerings – and for good reason, writes journalist Julie Cross. See why she opted to dine at one for lunch.

OPINION

When I said I was going out for lunch – at a local aged care centre – I could see the horror on the faces of my colleagues.

Let’s face it, nursing homes have had a bad rap when it comes to their culinary offerings.

For good reason.

The royal commission into aged care heard how aged care homes spent on average just $6 a day on food, and that up to three quarters of residents were malnourished.

I’ve seen photos of slop and party pies, passing for dinner, and I can see why.

The government has tried to improve the situation, giving every provider an extra $10 a day per person for food and keeping homes to account by asking residents what they think.

The moussaka at the Greek Community Home For The Aged in Earlwood. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Residents love the cakes. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Last week, it published its annual list of every home and how residents rated the meals.

Some providers grumble that only a small number of residents are sampled – and that the survey was completed, in some cases a year ago, so it’s out-of-date.

That’s fair comment.

However, when even one person says they never like the food, it’s not good enough. In one home in the NT nearly half said they never liked it.

Being bottom of the table is not a good look, and providers are taking drastic action. One now gets the service manager to taste the food before it’s served. What a good idea!

And, then there are the ones that are doing well.

Take The Greek Community Home for the Aged in Earlwood, Sydney. They’re the 21st highest scoring facility for food in the country.

And, that’s where I went for lunch.

As the name suggests the home appeals to those in the Greek community, and the food is Greek, which is a good start.

I met Adele, 85, who admits she loves the cakes they make, perhaps a little too much, and Panayiotis, the chef, who I must send a thank you note and get his recipe for moussaka.

Originally published as ‘Slop and party pies’: Why I ate lunch at an aged care home