Building Relationships & Rapport

• Creating a safe, non-judgemental environment
• Understanding cultural and traditional food preferences, concerns, and goals
• Preparing participants for sensitive tasks (e.g., weighing)

Reviewing Background Information

• Medical history
• Social circumstances impacting nutrition including cultural needs and preferences
• Clinical, physical, and functional changes

Assessing Physical Outcomes

• Weight assessment, with sensitivity to participant anxiety
• Physical examination (muscle mass, subcutaneous fat stores) – to observe any sign of muscle wasting and loss of subcutaneous fat
• Nutritional risk and potential deterioration

Reviewing Dietary Intake

• Current meal patterns
• Current goals
• Quality of meals, shopping habits, pantry review
• Assessment of dietary requirements including nutrient requirements and review of food/fluid consistency

Reviewing the Meal Delivery Service

Together with the participant and their support team, our Dietitians ensure the service is:

• Appetising and enjoyable
• Clinically tailored (including texture adjustments per Speech Pathologist guidance, low-sodium options, high-protein choices, and consideration of cultural needs)
• Evidence-based and aligned with medical requirements eg. Ensuring meals align with diabetes management
• Educational, empowering participants to make informed food choices

Education & Guidance

• Reviewing menus and suggesting suitable meals/snacks
• Building participants capacity to choose appropriate foods outside of the service
• Discussing risks and strategies to maintain nutritional wellbeing

Clinical Documentation & Reporting

• Following assessment, our Dietitians provide:
• Comprehensive clinical reports
• Progress notes
• Quotes for NDIS or funders
• Letters of Support with clinical justification