Caterplus creates food cards to aid dementia residents

Caterplus – the specialist care catering arm of contract caterer Elior UK – has introduced an extensive new range of food cards designed to help dementia residents make informed choices.

Caterplus – the specialist care catering arm of contract caterer Elior UK – has introduced an extensive new range of food cards to help residents with dementia make informed choices.

Each card portrays a meal exactly as it would appear in real life – with plates and cutlery also shown – and is presented to residents before mealtimes to help them decide what they would like to eat.

To assist care staff, the A5 cards also feature information detailing where the food sits on the IDDSI framework, as well as guidance on how the dish can be adapted to make it suitable for IDDSI levels.

The brand worked closely with care homes and residents to ensure the cards would be as helpful as possible.

Mandy Davies, head of dietetics and nutrition at Elior, said: “Improving people’s health and wellbeing through food is a key part of our business. We are very aware that catering for dementia residents can be particularly challenging due to their very specific needs.

“These food cards have been created with residents and carers in mind. Residents have a clear representation of their food, while carers have guidance on how to ensure that each resident is served only what is appropriate for them.”

Laura Tighe, managing director at Caterplus, added: “It was important for us to create a range of cards that was as accessible as possible for dementia residents in care homes in order to provide them with a dignified dining experience.”