Alberta Health Services will be doing away with precooked, reheated meals in long-term care facilities.  

Health Minister Fred Horne is directing AHS to discontinue the practice of preparing meals offsite and reheating, and bring back on-site food preparation services in the long-term care facilities it operates. The changes will be in effect by December 2012.

“We’ve heard what residents and their families have said about the quality of food in our long-term care facilities and today, we are taking action to improve that,” said Horne. “We have to remember that these facilities are home to the people who live there, and in many cases, the last home they will ever live in. They deserve to live in comfort and dignity and enjoy food that is not only nutritious, but looks and tastes home-cooked and satisfies cultural food preferences.”

AHS will be required to prepare meals within their facilities that improve the taste and appearance over the food currently served, while at the same time design meals that better reflect flexibility and choice for residents.

The health provider will consult with residents, families and staff to develop and present a plan of action to Horne by October, with full implementation of on-site and locally based meal preparation by December. The directive applies to all 73 long-term care facilities operated by AHS across the province.

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