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SPC PROVITAL KEY FEATURES
• A textured and lengthened pull tab for easier grip
• Optimised seal to reduce opening force
• Decagon shape for easier grip
• Clear instructions for opening
• Extra-large font for improved legibility
• Developed and rigorously tested to deliver a product suitable for Texture C diets
Empower your patients with quality nutrition
Hard-to-open food packaging is not uncommon, especially in facilities which cater to elderly people with fine motor skill difficulties. This can represent a source of frustration for patients and a barrier to nutrition.
The number of people in Australia aged 65 and over has more than tripled over the last fifty years, rising to 3.4 million in 2014 1( over 14 % of the population). The most commonly reported condition + affecting half of all people aged 65 and over 2 is arthritis.
Over the next several decades, population ageing is projected to have significant implications for Australia’ s economic, infrastructure, social and health needs.
Unless facilities are adequately staffed, this burden will also fall to the staff who manage the hospitals, retirement homes, and aged care facilities.
In an effort to overcome these barriers and empower patients, SPC has worked with a range of health care professionals to develop the SPC ProVital fruit cup range which features accessible, easy to open packaging. The new ProVital fruit cup is made from 100 % Australian grown fruit and gives patients the choice to access the nutrition they deserve independently and with dignity.
Professor David Hunter, arthritis expert and Head of the Rheumatology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney:“ The impact of musculoskeletal diseases like osteoarthritis pose a huge health burden to Australian society, second only to mental health.
“ Osteoarthritis of the hand is particularly common. Most of us take for granted the daily activities we use our hands for – tying our shoelaces, opening our food or using a knife or fork. To someone who suffers arthritis, these seemingly simple tasks can be incredibly difficult and painful.
“ In a hospital or an aged-care facility, every meal should be an opportunity for patients to consume maximum nutrition. Encouraging new food delivery and packaging innovations is definitely a step in the right direction.”
Yarie is an osteoarthritis sufferer and a patient at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney.“ I’ ve had osteoarthritis now for 14 years. It affects both my hands and knees. The pain is cruel and unrelenting but one has to learn to live with it.”
I was pleasantly surprised when I was asked to try the new SPC ProVital fruit cup with a larger tab. It’ s so simple but so helpful- it’ s easier to grip and much easier to open.”
“ It’ s a step forward that the SPC ProVital team has taken time to study that some people might struggle with opening certain food products and came up with such a simple easy to use idea. I hope to see similar products become available in the future.” ■
For more information on how your aged care facility can provide quality and accessible nutrition for your patients, visit http:// spcardmona. com. au / healthy-brands / provital
SPC ProVital is a registered trade mark of SPC Ardmona
References: 1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015( http:// www. aihw. gov. au / ageing /) Accessed 27 April 2016 2. AIHW 2014. Australia’ s health 2014. Australia’ s health no. 14. Cat. no. AUS 178. Canberra: AIHW.
About SPC: SPC Ardmona has been committed to bringing premium packed fruit and vegetables to Australians for nearly 100 years. The company’ s iconic food brands, Ardmona ®, GOULBURN VALLEY ®, IXL ®, SPC ® and TAYLOR’ S ® are strong performers in their product categories and are further developed and supported by continued investments in both marketing and product innovations. SPC Ardmona is owned by Australian-listed company Coca-Cola Amatil.
14 agedcareinsite. com. au