At Springfield Health Services Limited, we believe that good nutrition is foundational to our residents’ health and well-being.
That’s why we take a meticulous approach to meal preparation, ensuring that every dish not only delights the taste buds but also meets the specific nutritional needs of our residents.
All our meals are home-cooked and prepared onsite.
The main aim of our nutritional plan at Springfield and Prinsted Care Homes is to build strength in our residents, which will in turn minimise the risk of falls, help them fight infection, minimise skin breakdown and generally promote well-being.
We do this by fortifying our food, which means higher calorie and higher fat content.
This may sound counter-intuitive, but as people get older, their appetite naturally slows and so it’s important to eat calorie dense foods to ensure they receive the necessary nutrition their bodies require.
At Springfield Health Services, each day begins with a nourishing breakfast offering a range of options from a hearty Full English to lighter choices like fresh fruit, cereals, toast, and beverages such as coffee and tea.
Our morning tea round offers hot beverages, homemade fortified milkshakes, biscuits and fresh fruit salad.
Lunch features a comforting start with soup to boost fluid intake and is fortified for added nutrition. The main course includes two choices, for example on a recent menu we had roast chicken or cauliflower cheese, followed by a traditional dessert like apple crumble with custard. The main theme for our meals is a protein, a carbohydrate and vegetables.
Afternoons are sweetened with homemade cakes served alongside tea and coffee.
Dinner offers a variety of choices including soup, sandwiches, a hot option, and delicious puddings, ensuring that our residents enjoy a full day of satisfying, well-rounded meals. We also offer finger food because it has been identified that it can be helpful for people who have dementia.
When it comes to dementia and any other physical conditions, we ensure physical support for residents at mealtimes where required.
We have specialist equipment including plate guards and adaptive cutlery for residents with restricted movement.
For residents with dementia, we use colourful plates to help them distinguish their food better. Research shows that contrasting colours can make it easier for them to identify and enjoy their meals, for example when foods like mashed potatoes and cream sauce are served on a plain white plate individuals may be unable to identify the food on that plate, therefore we will use a different coloured plate.
We accommodate all dietary requirements, whether it’s nut allergies, lactose intolerance, diabetes and everything in between.
At Springfield Care Homes, we adhere to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI), which sets global standards for the consistency of modified foods and thickened liquids for individuals with identified risks.
We regularly perform risk assessments for residents who may face issues with malnutrition, dehydration, or choking. Every resident is weighed monthly and residents identified as being at risk of malnutrition are weighed weekly to ensure their health needs are adequately met, managed and further actions are taken to promote weight gain.
While we have scheduled meal times, our kitchens are accessible for staff 24/7 to prepare food and drinks as needed. Additionally, residents in our assisted living lodges have the flexibility to cook whenever they choose.
Residents play an active role in meal planning at our care home, and we continuously seek their feedback to refine our menus.
The menus are adapted based on the seasons, with lighter options like salads in the summer, enriched with calorie-dense choices such as potato salad and coleslaw to maintain nutritional balance.
We’ll also use ice lollies, jellies, soups and fresh fruit to ensure enough fluids are taken on in the warmer months.
Food and nutrition is incorporated into a number of the activities we host at the care home, for example, we do a lot of baking activities, which the residents really enjoy, and just the other day they made sausage rolls and had cocktails in the garden.
At Christmas we make mince pies and build gingerbread houses and we make our own pizzas for national pizza day, as well as baking our own scones for afternoon tea occasionally.
Nutrition is only one aspect of how we maintain the health of our residents at Springfield Health Services; exercise is also crucial.
Once a week a physiotherapist visits and we host regular exercise sessions, which are usually chair based. They’re very lively, but are essential to promote movement and build muscle, with the aim of reducing the risk of falls and promoting mobility.
Our activities cater to various fitness levels and include fun, accessible exercises using beanbags and hoops on sticks to ensure everyone can participate.
At Springfield Health Services, our commitment to the overall well-being of our residents is unwavering. We believe in fostering a vibrant community where nutrition and exercise are seamlessly integrated into daily life, ensuring that our residents enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle.
With each meal, activity, and personal interaction, we strive to enrich the lives of our residents, helping them to thrive in an environment that feels truly like home.