Country Range Launches Catering for Dementia Guide

Country Range has published its latest guide in collaboration with International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) Consultant Andy Cullum aimed at helping caterers looking after residents who are living with dementia.

The comprehensive guide, which was also kindly checked by Alison Smith, a Prescribing Support Dietician for the NHS and Fellow of the BDA who worked on the Care Home Digest, provides advice and menu-solutions on cutlery-free dining options that are nutritious and practical whilst still being delicious and visually appealing.

With The Alzheimer’s Society estimating that around 70% of care home residents have dementia or severe memory problems, the new guide provides creative solutions to help residents with eating and drinking difficulties and ensures absolute menu inclusivity, nourishment, stimulation and satisfaction.

The Country Range Catering for Dementia Guide focuses on one area of the Care Home Digest, which was published by The British Dietetic Association (BDA) and National Association of Care Catering (NACC) and covers all aspects of menu planning and nutritional guidance for older adults living in residential homes.

Dementia can lead to changes in food and fluid intake so it’s vital caterers and carers have guidance and menu ideas to make food more accessible. The guide is free to all chefs and caterers and includes recipe ideas for starters, main courses, desserts and snacks.

Rachel Porter, Country Range Group Marketing Manager, said: “We’re always looking to provide our members and their customers in the health and welfare sector with the latest knowledge, advice and tools to help them offer the best mealtime experience, nutrition and care. This latest guide follows the success of our Country Range Guide to the IDDSI Framework which was released last year and offers innovative menu ideas and recipes to make food more accessible for people living with dementia.”

The guide can be downloaded from https://countryrange.co.uk/dementia-catering-guide/

About the Country Range Group

With over 30 years of heritage servicing the UK & Ireland’s innovative foodservice sector, the Country Range Group is made up of 16 member businesses and 18 wholesalers – Birchall Foodservice, Blakemore Foodservice, Brook Street Foodservice, Country Valley Foods, Crowndale Foodservice, Dunns Food and Drinks, Europ Foods, First Choice Foodservice, Harlech Foodservice, Henderson Foodservice, Kitwave (including Creed Foodservice, Total Foodservice and WestCountry), McClures, Savona Foodservice, Trevors Foodservice, Valley Foods, Waterdene Foodservice.

In addition to offering the leading brands from around the globe, the Group also offers a three-tiered own brand portfolio under Country Range, Signature by Country Range and Catering Essentials.

Widely recognised by caterers as trusted and reliable brands that deliver consistent quality and value for money without compromising on taste and flavour, the 700 plus products are all developed exclusively for professional caterers and cover grocery, chilled, frozen and non-food.

The Group publishes its trade magazine Stir it up 9 times a year, which features the latest food, drink and industry news, Country Range brand promotions and in-depth trend reports and sector specific guides to support and inspire all foodservice caterers.

The Country Range Group has also entered into a three-year charitable partnership with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. The unique partnership will see the buying group and its members work alongside the charity to raise compassion, understanding and crucially, vital funds, to help make food allergy history.

Website: www.countryrangegroup.com

LinkedIn: The Country Range Group