Care teams across OSJCT’s Buckinghamshire care homes are strengthening their knowledge of specialist nutrition and swallowing support as part of the charity’s ongoing commitment to providing safe, compassionate and person-centred care.
Care teams have completed training in the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI), gaining practical knowledge to support residents who may have difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia.
The training is part of OSJCT’s commitment to ensuring residents receive the right support for their individual needs, while being able to enjoy mealtimes with dignity, choice and confidence.
For many people living in care, mealtimes are about far more than nutrition. They can be a chance to socialise with friends, enjoy favourite foods, maintain independence and take pleasure in familiar routines. For residents living with dysphagia, however, food and drink may need to be prepared to a particular texture or consistency to help them eat and drink safely.
The IDDSI Framework provides a standardised way of describing the texture of food and thickness of drinks, helping care teams and catering teams use a shared language when supporting residents with swallowing difficulties.
As part of the training, OSJCT teams developed their understanding of the different IDDSI levels and how to ensure food and drinks meet the appropriate consistency for each resident.
This includes understanding texture-modified diets such as Level 4 puréed food, which is smooth, thick and lump-free and does not require chewing.
The practical training also helps care teams understand how to check food and drinks against the appropriate IDDSI descriptors, giving teams greater confidence when preparing and serving meals.
Andrew Lawrence, Catering Manager at OSJCT, said:
“At OSJCT, we believe that good care is about seeing the whole person and understanding what matters to them. Mealtimes are an important part of everyday life, and we want every resident to be able to enjoy them safely, comfortably and with dignity. Investing in IDDSI training gives our teams the knowledge and confidence to provide the right support for residents who have swallowing difficulties, while making sure their individual preferences and choices remain at the heart of their care. It is another example of how we continue to invest in our people and develop their skills, so they can provide the high-quality, compassionate care our residents deserve.”
For OSJCT, the focus is not simply on meeting dietary requirements, but on making sure residents continue to experience mealtimes as moments of enjoyment.