Hospice launches new adapted menus for people with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties

In 2012, Princess Alice Hospice was one of the first English hospices to directly employ a speech and language therapist, as part of the wider holistic support they provide to people with life-limiting illnesses. Today, Gemma, Senior Dietitian, and Juliet, Senior Speech and Language Therapist, continue to provide specialist dietetic and speech therapy support to people at the Hospice.

Eating, drinking and swallowing is an essential part of most people’s day and is often taken for granted, but for some people it is not that straightforward. Difficulties in these areas is known as dysphagia, which can affect a person’s quality of life and lead to other health complications.

To coincide with this year’s Nutrition and Hydration Week in March, clinical colleagues at the Hospice were invited to sample modified menus that had been created by Development Chef, Chris.

Gemma said:

‘’Chef Chris skilfully and thoughtfully prepared 3 dishes for us to try as part of the soon-to-be-launched In-Patient Unit menu. He presented a vegan curry, salmon, mashed potato and broccoli and cottage pie in 3 different levels, IDDSI 6,5,& 4. All dishes had the same beautiful flavour and were presented to match.

 

We eat with our eyes, after all. What surprised most staff who were perhaps initially reluctant or less keen to try the puree was just how wrong they were. Chris’s purees were something to be enjoyed and something to be very proud to serve to our patients who present with swallowing difficulties.’’

The following day, Chris presented colleagues with samples from a new smoothie and milkshake menu for In-Patient Unit patients.

Gemma said:

‘These drinks will really nourish and provide many options to suit different taste, nutrition and hydration needs. Each smoothie has been double checked by Juliet, our senior speech and language therapist, to ensure we can offer naturally thickened fluids that are tasty, smooth and refreshing.

From a dietitian’s point of view I am proud to be able to offer naturally nutritious drinks that can support our patients at a time when eating and drinking is compromised. The ‘Beetroot and Berry’ was an overwhelming surprise star and the ‘Pineapple and Banana’ was a fabulous combination, delicious and refreshing.’’

The Hospice will be introducing these options to people on the In-Patient Unit soon, who will be able to order their preferred menu choice digitally by using an iPad, where possible.

Alongside the tasting events, the Hospice took the opportunity to promote their two new Nutrition Champions, who both work on the In-Patient Unit.

Patrick, Senior Healthcare Assistant and Juliet, Healthcare Assistant. They will be trained by Gemma to improve people’s ability to access delicious and nutritious food and fluids that best match their needs and are most appropriate for their stage of life.

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www.pah.org.uk

Princess Alice Hospice: For Excellence. For Compassion. For People. For Living.

For nearly 40 years, Princess Alice Hospice has provided free, high-quality, specialist end-of-life care to tens of thousands of people across a large part of Surrey, south west London and Middlesex. Today, Hospice nurses, doctors and other specialist staff are looking after over 1000 patients at any one time, in their homes or on the In-Patient Unit.

The Hospice’s mission is to reach even more people by delivering outstanding care to those who need it. To enable us to do this, we rely on the commitment and kind support of our communities who help us to raise vital funds.

Each year, it costs £11.5 million to provide our free, vital services. With just 20% of NHS funding provided, the remaining 80% is raised through legacies, fundraising, selling pre-loved items in our shops, and investments. It is the amazing support of our generous supporters and dedicated volunteers that allows our work to continue.