100% Data Accuracy in Meal Tracking | 95% Reduction in report generation time | 4x Faster Identification of Dietary Issues

At a Glance

Located in Adelaide, a city renowned for its vibrant cultural scene and stunning natural surroundings, this 80-bedded aged care facility offers a unique blend of tranquility and engagement for its residents. With beautiful beaches providing a serene backdrop, the facility has built a trusted reputation for delivering reliable aged care services that prioritise the well-being and satisfaction of its residents.

To better understand how Centrim Life was helping the facility, we sat down for an insightful conversation with Ethan Fraser, Facility Manager,  Lucas Thompson, In-House Dietician and Nutritionist, and Ava McKenzie, Head Nurse to find out how they’re using Centrim Life to achieve 100% meal satisfaction rates. 

Challenges, Consequences, and Hesitations In Meal Monitoring

Challenges – No Reliable Data or Tracking System

During the pandemic, a large number of staff left the aged care home, making things harder for the remaining staff. Although the authorities managed to recruit new staff, training them about aged care nutrition regulations and all the paperwork involved was proving to be stressful. The new staff had to devote considerable time to updating resident data on paper-based systems. There was also the issue of not being able to find crucial data among the tons of paperwork. As a result, the aged care home faced growing difficulties in managing catering, menu planning, and dining services. 

Tracking meal consumption was the major issue. While meals were served on time, some residents refused food or ate very little. With a paper-based system, there was no effective way to record what each resident had consumed or track trends over time. This became particularly concerning when residents experienced significant weight loss, as staff had no reliable data to determine the cause.

Without a structured system, it was impossible to know if a resident’s lack of appetite was due to food preferences, allergies, temperature issues, or underlying medical conditions. Staff were left guessing, which made it difficult to take proactive steps to ensure proper nutrition and well-being.

“We had no way to track what residents were actually eating,” confides Ethan Fraser, “Allergen information, resident preferences, and suggestions from the dietician were all printed and distributed to staff. But referring to these lists took up time and effort. When someone lost weight, we didn’t know if it was because they didn’t like the food, had an allergy, or were simply not feeling well.”

Consequences – Unable to Implement Improvement Measures

Without accurate meal-tracking data, the dining department struggled to identify patterns and make informed decisions. Staff couldn’t track which meals were frequently refused or how much each resident was eating. This lack of information made it difficult to implement necessary dietary adjustments, leading to increased frustration among staff and dissatisfaction among residents.

The inability to monitor meal intake also meant that dietary concerns went unnoticed until they became serious issues. Residents experiencing weight loss or poor nutrition were at greater risk of health complications, which in turn increased stress on care teams. The situation also put the facility at risk of non-compliance with aged care standards, potentially leading to reputational damage and financial penalties.

“We were under pressure,” remarks Ava McKenzie, “We knew we needed a better way to track meals, but with our old system, we were always one step behind. Families were concerned about their loved ones losing weight, and we had no concrete data to explain what was happening. It was stressful for staff and upsetting for residents. We needed a better way to track and manage meals.”

Hesitations – A Complete Solution or Additional Workload?

The aged care home had tried a few automated dining management options. But nothing offered comprehensive solutions to all their issues. Plus, the staff were clear that they did not want to work with complex software. They also had numerous queries such as: 

• How does Centrim Life’s automated resident order report improve dietary analysis?
• How does the automated resident order report help in identifying the causes of weight loss?
• What are the key benefits of using Centrim Life’s software for meal monitoring?
• How does the automated resident order report integrate with existing healthcare systems?
• What specific data points are included in the automated resident order report?
• How does the report assist in tailoring dietary plans for residents?
• How does the automated resident order report compare to traditional methods in dietary analysis?

Lucas Thompson shares the experience, “We’d looked at similar systems before, but they were too complicated. We weren’t sure if it would actually make things easier or just add another layer of work. But Centrim Life is super-easy to use. The support was fantastic, and the results spoke for themselves.”

Arriving at the Solution

The aged care facility was searching for a way to simplify meal monitoring and dietary management when they discovered Centrim Life’s free demo. Intrigued, they signed up and were given a hands-on walkthrough of how the dining management software worked.

One of the key features that impressed them was the resident order report. The ability to track and analyse dining patterns in real time was just what they needed. Caregivers could instantly update meal details via Centrim Life’s mobile app, eliminating the need for cumbersome paperwork. If a resident experienced weight loss, staff could quickly refer to the order report to pinpoint possible causes—whether it was a dietary preference, an allergy, food temperature, or an underlying medical condition.

With smooth integration into their existing clinical systems and thorough staff training, Centrim Life made the transition easy. Before long, the facility had fully implemented the software, giving their team the tools to monitor and enhance resident well-being.

“We needed something simple yet effective, and Centrim Life just made sense. The demo showed us exactly how it could work for us, and we knew it was the right choice”, remarks Ethan Fraser.

Impressive Results

The results were immediate. Residents appreciated the convenience of ordering meals from their rooms using the Centrim Life mobile app. The ability to customise meals improved satisfaction, and staff gained valuable insights from the automated resident order report.

The report provided clear data on:

• Meal refusals
• Portion intake
• Meal preference
• Allergen tracking
• Hydration levels
• Possible causes of weight loss

For example, it highlighted trends where residents were not eating due to illness, dislike of a specific ingredient, or general appetite changes. When integrated with dietitian reports and electronic medical records (EMRs), this data enabled more precise dietary adjustments to prevent further weight loss and ensure optimal nutrition.

Unlike traditional paper-based logs or spreadsheets, which required manual tracking and analysis, Centrim Life’s automated system simplified the entire process, reducing errors and allowing real-time adjustments. Staff no longer had to rely on delayed or incomplete records, as the system provided instant, data-driven insights for proactive decision-making.

The facility also used Centrim Life to automate menu planning based on dietary needs, allergen data, and resident preferences. This personalisation helped prevent malnutrition and improved resident well-being. Staff could access detailed reports with just a few clicks, making it easier to implement changes and enhance meal quality.

Beyond meal monitoring, the facility was highly impressed with Centrim Life’s integration with existing healthcare systems and its responsive customer support. Any concerns were addressed quickly, ensuring a smooth experience for both staff and residents.

“The impact was huge,” affirms Lucas Thompson,”We could see exactly why a resident wasn’t eating and take action fast. The reports made it easy, and our team felt confident making dietary decisions.”

Conclusion

The facility saw a noticeable improvement in resident satisfaction, staff efficiency, and overall meal quality. With better insight into dietary habits, they could tailor meals to meet nutritional needs while ensuring residents enjoyed their food.

Their advice to other aged care providers? Take the leap.

“We weren’t sure at first,” admits Ava McKenzie, “But we’re glad we made the switch. Centrim Life has upgraded our meal management. We’d recommend it to any facility looking to improve their meal monitoring processes.”

Book a free demo with Centrim Life today and see the difference firsthand.