Translate
Please note
The information on this page is for general and educational purposes only. If you have any health concerns or need individualised advice, talk to your GP or an Accredited Practising Dietitian.
About the training
The What's for Dinner? program is FREE training for volunteers who support older people living at home.
This training helps volunteers:
- Start conversations about food and eating.
- Spot "red flags" for malnutrition (early warning signs).
- Report concerns to help older people get the support they need.
Volunteers often know their clients well and can notice when something changes. This training gives volunteers the tools to act on those changes.
Who can do the training?
- The training is FREE for all community aged care services (CHSP) in Tasmania.
- It’s for volunteers who work with older people who are living at home.
- You don’t need to provide meals to take part.
- Training can be delivered in-person across Tasmania.
What does the training involve?
First Session (1 hour):
- What is malnutrition and why prevention is important.
- How to use the What's for Dinner? cards.
- How to spot and report "red flags" for malnutrition.
- Understanding your role as a volunteer in reporting concerns.
Second Session (1 hour, 12 months later):
- Reviewing what has worked over the past year.
- Refreshing key messages about malnutrition.
- Learning why the way we eat matters, and how food can improve dignity and independence for older people.
- Using case studies to practise spotting "red flags".
Why is this training important?
Volunteers who have done the What's for Dinner? training have helped organisations:
- Spot nutrition problems earlier.
- Record more nutrition risks.
- Improve processes for supporting clients.
"After the training, we updated our procedures. We’ve found a new way to get more information from My Aged Care. Now it only takes 5 minutes to get a full picture of a client’s needs. It’s helping us respond faster."
– Organisation Manager, 2023
What's for Dinner? Resources
1. Nutrition Red Flags
Helps volunteers know what to look for and how to help. A simple 3-step guide:
- Identify: Look for early signs of malnutrition (like weight loss or trouble eating).
- Explore: Ask gentle follow-up questions to understand the issue.
- Plan: Report concerns to your volunteer coordinator.
2. What's for Dinner? Conversation Cards
These cards are a fun way to start conversations about food.
- Each card has an easy question about food or eating.
- Clients can answer at their own pace and comfort level.
- Great for building trust and learning more about a client's nutrition needs.
3. Resource Facilitator Guide
Helps organisations use the training tools in every day practice. It includes templates for:
- emails
- newsletters
- and text messages.
Supports the new Aged Care Act and the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
The What's for Dinner? training:
- aligns with the new Aged Care Act (from July 2025) and strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
- addresses malnutrition risks and helps to strengthen organisational systems
- helps organisations deliver safe, person-centred care and enhances the quality of life of older Tasmanians.
