Nourish to Flourish: Enhancing Quality of Life Through Nutrition in Older Age

Nourish to Flourish: Enhancing Quality of Life Through Nutrition in Older Age

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Paper presentation

Presenter(s):

Lizette Kuhn; Rayne Stroebel; Ide-Marie Venter, International Longevity Center South Africa

Abstract

As the global population ages, maintaining quality of life—not just longevity—has become a public health priority. This Workshop explores the transformative impact of nutrition on the health, independence, and emotional well-being of older persons, particularly in long-term care settings. Drawing on evidence-informed practices and insights from South Africa’s aged care landscape, this session will highlight the role of nutrition as a critical enabler of healthy ageing.

Nutrition is a powerful, cost-effective tool in preventing and managing age-related conditions such as frailty, cognitive decline, falls, and chronic disease. However, its full potential is often underutilized in aged care systems. Challenges such as undernutrition, polypharmacy, oral health issues, reduced appetite, and socio-economic disparities often go unaddressed. This Workshop will present a practical framework for using nutrition as a proactive strategy, not only to manage disease, but to meaningfully improve daily function, emotional well-being, and social connection among older adults.

Participants will engage in discussion around effective nutrition interventions, including the integration of the MIND diet and Mediterranean principles into aged care menus, and the importance of individualized nutritional assessments. Real-world case studies from South African care facilities will illustrate how dietitian-led collaboration with interdisciplinary teams—nurses, caregivers, and food service staff—can lead to measurable improvements in quality of life indicators, such as weight gain, mood, mobility, and reduced medication use.

Interactive elements allow participants to reflect on their local contexts and share promising practices. A key focus will be aligning nutritional care with person-centred values and dignity, as outlined in the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing. We will explore how small, sustainable shifts in food quality, meal timing, and texture-modified diets can yield significant benefits.

By the end of the session, attendees will gain practical insights into:

• Identifying and addressing common nutritional risks in older adults.

• Implementing culturally appropriate and evidence-based dietary strategies.

• Collaborating across disciplines to embed nutrition in care planning.

• Monitoring progress through meaningful and non-invasive quality of life indicators.

This Workshop is suitable for healthcare leaders, aged care managers, dietitians, policy influencers, and anyone working to enhance ageing outcomes through food and lifestyle-based interventions.

Bio(s):

Lizette Kühn has a passion for nutrition and the well-being of individuals, especially older persons and those living with dementia. She holds a PhD in Dietetics and firmly believes that nutrition advice, although practical and feasible, should be based on evidence-based research. Lizette loves a challenge and views the current situation in Africa, and specifically South Africa, as a huge opportunity to explore innovative, pro-active approaches in the fight against dementia. She has been consulting in private practice for eighteen years. Forming part of the GERATEC team (initially full-time and later as a consultant) is another highlight of her career.

Dr. Rayne Stroebel is a gerontologist with extensive expertise in eldercare and dementia advocacy. He earned his master’s degree in 2016 and a PhD in 2022 from the University of Stirling, Scotland.

As the Founder and Managing Director of GERATEC (Gerontological Research, Training, Education, and Caring), established in 1996 in Cape Town, Dr. Stroebel has dedicated his career to enhancing the quality of life for older persons through innovative care models grounded in international best practices. Additionally, he serves as the Regional Coordinator for The Eden Alternative South Africa, where he promotes the transformation of care homes into nurturing environments that foster authentic relationships.

Dr. Stroebel has trained over 3,000 caregivers and has been a keynote speaker at numerous international conferences. He also contributes as an executive member of the International Longevity Centre South Africa (ILCSA), where he is involved in critical research and policy development addressing the challenges of population ageing.

Contact Information:
Email: rstroebel@geratecza.com
Phone: +27 82 4555 300
LinkedIn: Rayne Stroebel
Websites: [GERATEC](www.geratecza.com) | [Minds Matter](www.mindsmatter.co.za) | [The Eden Alternative South Africa](www.edenalt.co.za)

Ide-Marie Venter is a dedicated professional with a strong background in nutrition and elder care. She serves as both the Dietitian and Care Business Leader at GERATEC, a company committed to enhancing the quality of life for older adults. In her role as Dietitian, Ide-Marie develops and implements nutrition care services tailored to meet the specific dietary needs of residents, ensuring their health and well-being. As the Care Business Leader, she oversees the care team, coordinating efforts to deliver compassionate, high-quality care across all facilities.

Her combined expertise in nutrition and leadership plays a pivotal role in fostering a holistic approach to elder care at GERATEC, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to excellence in service delivery.