See mealtimes from a different perspective

Aged care workers understand the importance of good nutrition.

But what happens when a resident living with dementia won’t eat?

Up to 78 per cent of people living with dementia experience challenges during mealtimes.

A positive mealtime experience isn’t just about what’s on the plate. Dementia can affect a person’s ability to recognise food, chew and swallow, use cutlery, or make sense of their surroundings. Noise, distractions, unfamiliar food and even the contrast between the plate and table can make eating difficult.

What looks like a problem with eating may actually be a problem with the environment, the support being provided or how the person is experiencing the meal.

According to the latest research, the dining environment and how people are supported to eat are critical to helping people living with dementia during mealtimes. A 2025 systematic review suggested that support strategies tailored to a person’s abilities were most likely to increase their engagement and food intake.

These opportunities can be easy to miss when we only see the mealtime from our own perspective.

Dine with Ted is Dementia Australia’s solution to that common problem. Through immersive virtual reality, staff will discover what mealtimes can really be like, by seeing through the eyes of Ted, who is living with dementia.

This unique learning experience, followed by engaging group discussion, explores how food, the dining environment and support can shape a person’s mealtime.

Participants will develop deep insights and gain the practical skills to provide person-centred mealtime support.

What changed when staff at Kerang District Health saw mealtimes differently?

“The staff are much quieter during meal service and they're also playing low-level background music”

“The residents are involved in setting the table and . . . we change the colour of placemats, so their plates stand out more . . . I think for a lot of residents, it’s a more comfortable atmosphere”

- Katrina Sparrow, director of clinical services.

Standards set the foundation. Continuous improvement takes us further.

Standards are an important safeguard for quality care. But genuinely person-centred dementia care requires a culture of continuous improvement. Teams reflect on everyday practice, learn what works and make changes based on the needs and experiences of the people they support.

Sometimes continuous improvement starts with seeing an everyday experience differently.

Mealtimes are one place where small changes can make a meaningful difference.

If you’d like to learn more about Dine with Ted, or any of our other immersive dementia education products visit Dine with Ted: Virtual Reality Dining Experience.