What I can do
Incorporate simple assessment tools into daily care to help identify and address nutritional and oral health issues early. You can use:
Food is more than just nutrition. It also provides comfort and connection. Acknowledge the social and emotional importance of food by:
- Talking with families about what food and drinks are meaningful to them
- Creating opportunities for shared meals and familiar foods to bring comfort
- Acknowledging the social and cultural significance of food by respecting preferences, traditions, and mealtime rituals.
Encouraging individual choices around food and drink helps maintain autonomy and dignity. Help people to eat and drink in a way that feels right for them by:
- Letting them decide how much, what, and when they eat
- Simplifying meals with smaller portions and food tailored to their preferences
- Offering meals or snacks when they are most alert and receptive.
Families and friends often worry when they notice the older person eating less. You can reassure them by:
- Explaining that the person is not dying because they have stopped eating, but they have stopped eating because they are dying
- Encouraging eating for pleasure rather than for nutrition
- Sharing small portions of enjoyable food.
What I can learn
The palliAGED Practice Tips give helpful guidance on supporting older people with nutritional care near the end of life. There is a version for nurses as well as one for careworkers.
You can also read the related palliAGED Improving Care pages:
To increase your understanding nutrition at the end of life:
What I can give
If an older person, their family or carer wishes to know more about nutritional care, these resources may help:
What I can suggest
Implement a nutrition and hydration monitoring and assessment system for older people receiving palliative care.
Make mouth checks a routine part of care to help identify and address any issues with teeth, dentures, or gums that may affect eating, drinking, or the enjoyment of food.
Foster a team approach by:
- Strengthening communication between nurses, careworkers, allied health professionals and catering teams for consistency in care
- Providing staff training on nutritional care, including dysphagia, to improve confidence in managing food and drink concerns at the end of life.
Page updated 27 February 2025