Nutrition & Hydration
Good nutrition and hydration are fundamental to the health and wellbeing of care home residents. Malnutrition affects up to 35% of care home residents and is associated with increased risk of falls, pressure ulcers, infections, and longer recovery times. The Care Handbook provides practical tools to help staff identify risk, monitor intake, and take appropriate action.
Why Nutrition Matters
Under the CQC's Key Question “Effective”, care homes must ensure that residents are supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet. The Care Quality Commission expects providers to assess nutritional needs, monitor weight, and take action when concerns are identified. The Care Handbook supports compliance with Regulations 9, 10, 11, and 14 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
BAPEN (the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition) recommends that all care home residents should be screened for malnutrition risk on admission and at regular intervals using a validated tool such as MUST. Effective nutrition care is a multidisciplinary responsibility involving care staff, nurses, dietitians, and GPs.
Key legislation: Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 — Regulation 14 (Meeting nutrition and hydration needs) requires providers to ensure service users receive adequate nutrition and hydration.
In This Section
MUST Screening
Step-by-step guide to the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) — calculate BMI, assess weight loss, determine risk, and take appropriate action.
Food & Fluid Chart
Interactive food and fluid intake record to monitor what a resident eats and drinks throughout the day. Print-ready for care plan documentation.
Weight Monitoring
Guidance on when and how to weigh residents, when to refer to a dietitian, and how to document and respond to significant weight changes.
Texture-Modified Diets (IDDSI)
The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework — understand each level from thin fluids to regular food, plus thickener guidance.
Authoritative Resources
Important Notice:The resources provided by Care Handbook are for guidance only and do not replace professional clinical judgement. Always follow your organisation's policies and procedures and consult with a registered dietitian or GP when making clinical decisions about a resident's nutritional care. If you are concerned about a resident's health, seek medical advice immediately.