advertorial
Choice and accessibility – key
factors of empowered living
W
hen one first moves into an
aged care facility or hospital
for the long term, they
commonly feel frustrated or a lack of
control over their new living arrangements.
This emotional state, if not managed and
monitored correctly, can lead to increased
stress and an overall decline in general
well-being1.
In any aged care facility, ensuring a
positive experience can sometimes be
a difficult task for staff to manage, and
especially at meal times. The 65+ age
group is one of the largest and fastest
growing sectors of the market but it is
often overlooked when it comes to food
packaging design. Hard-to-open food
packaging is not uncommon and is often
a source of frustration for people and a
barrier to nutrition.
SPC Ardmona understands that for
30 agedcareinsite.com.au
some older Australians - or those with
arthritis or fine motor skills difficulties
- sometimes the food items they enjoy
the most are not packaged in the most
accessible or convenient way. As a
company very proud of its product
innovation and design, SPC Ardmona
turned their attention to this growing
issue. Working with a team of leading
health experts, the company developed
SPC ProVital – a range of easy-to-open
fruit cups, packed with nutrients and
made from 100% Australian fruit*.
SPC ProVital has two product control
ranges: the texture modified puree range
and the fruit in juice range, including a
variety of delicious fruit flavours to suit
any taste preference.
Maryanne Kerin, Food & Beverage
Manager, The Whiddon Group, said choice
of food is an imperative aspect of quality of
life for residents in aged care homes.
“Maintaining a sense of control and
general choice for residents when they
enter an aged care facility is something
we place a huge focus on. One key
way we can ensure they have this is by
offering them the ability to make choices
around their daily meals with access to a
range of flavours from each food group,”
said Ms Kerin.
“When I’m considering food products
and planning menus across The
Whiddon Group, I look for Australian
grown, quality products that offer both
good nutrition and taste for residents.”
Cherie Hugo – APD, Director of My
Nutritional Clinic said food enjoyment, as
well as nutritional status, directly impacts
on the quality of life of older Australians.
“We know that food variety, adequate
choice, ease of access to foods, portion
size, independence as well as foods that
engage the five senses affect mealtime
enjoyment - these factors are often hard
to easily achieve for those on texture
modified diets,” said Ms Hugo.
“At The Lantern Project, our aim is to
improve the quality of life of residents
through the joy of food so locally
sourced options that help improve
variety and choice such as the SPC
ProVital range are welcomed.”
The SPC ProVital range represents
SPC’s commitment to being at the
forefront of packaging accessibility and
healthcare innovation. It is when day to
day tasks can no longer be performed
easily, such as opening food, that the
health and well- being of aged care
residents can deteriorate. SPC ProVital
is determined to give Australia’s ageing
population choice, taste and nutrition
every day, every meal occasion.
SPC’S KEY FEATURES INCLUDE:
• Portion control to deliver one serve of
fruit
• Clear instructions for opening
• A textured and lengthened pull tab for
easier grip
• Optimised seal to reduce opening force
• Decagon shape for easier grip
• Smaller grip span for easier hold
• Easy to locate and read best before date
• Extra-large font for improved legibility ■
For more information, www.spc.com.au
*Excludes pineapple
SPC ProVital is a trademark of SPC Ardmona
1
Ulrich, R. S., 1992, How design impacts wellness,
Healthcare Forum Journal, vol. 35, 20-25