• Health and Wellbeing: A well-balanced diet can improve energy levels, manage chronic health conditions, and enhance overall quality of life.
• Independence and Convenience: For individuals who cannot cook or prepare meals themselves, meal delivery services provide the freedom to maintain independence while ensuring access to healthy meals.
• Prevention of Malnutrition: Nutrition services help monitor the individual’s health to prevent malnutrition, weight loss, or vitamin deficiencies, which are common concerns for older adults or individuals with disabilities.
• Caregiver Relief: Providing meal delivery or preparation assistance takes the pressure off family caregivers, giving them more time to focus on other caregiving tasks or personal responsibilities.

How to Access Nutrition and Meal Delivery Services

Nutrition and meal delivery services are often available through both the NDIS and Home Care Packages.

a. NDIS

• Core Supports Budget: Meal preparation and delivery can be funded under the Core Supports category if the participant requires assistance with daily living tasks such as preparing food.
• Capacity Building Supports: Nutrition-related services, such as consultations with a dietitian, can be included under the Capacity Building budget to help participants improve their independence in managing their dietary needs.

b. Home Care Package (HCP)

• Home Care Package Levels: Meal preparation, nutritional support, and meal delivery are available under all levels of Home Care Packages (Levels 1 to 4). The level of assistance will depend on the individual’s assessed care needs.
• Funding for Meal Delivery: Home Care Packages can cover the delivery costs of pre-prepared meals, although the individual may still need to pay for the cost of the food itself.