Training Boosts Nutrition Care In Homes
Care home residents stand to benefit from enhanced nutritional care as staff from facilities across Bermuda participated in a series of onsite trainings led by Age Concern Bermuda [ACB] and the Department of Health’s Nutrition Services.
A spokesperson said, “The trainings, delivered in care homes from St. George’s to Somerset, featured Department of Health experts Allison Outerbridge and Cymone Hollis, and introduced new best practices such as malnutrition screening protocols and the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative [IDDSI] framework.”
“In our field, it’s essential that staff stay current with nutrition trends and standards, especially as outlined in Bermuda’s Codes of Practice,” noted Cymone Hollis, Registered Dietitian and Public Health Nutritionist at the Department of Health. “Good nutrition is a cornerstone of quality care, and we’re pleased to bring this learning to the places where it matters most” added Allison Outerbridge, Registered Dietitian and Public Health Nutritionist.
The spokesperson said, “The following care homes received the full onsite training experience: The House of Esther, Cynthia’s Rest Home, Easter Lily, Packwood Home, Lefroy House, Dorothy Crane, Living Well, Matilda Smith- Williams, and Sylvia Richardson. Homes unable to accommodate a site visit sent key staff to a final consolidated training hosted at Bermuda College in June. In total, 72 attendees participated in the sessions representing 14 out of the 19 facilities on the island, impacting 258 residents.”
Dr. Claudette Fleming, Project & Support Officer at Age Concern Bermuda, emphasized that this training marks the first in a three-part series slated for the fiscal year. “This programme is designed to respond directly to the needs of our care homes by offering practical and locally grounded solutions. We’ve heard repeatedly that onsite training makes a real difference—reducing strain on staffing while enhancing accessibility. Participating home commented on the value of having Age Concern facilitate the use technology to bring the presenters to them, while also invigilating participation.”
The initiative serves as a precursor to more robust educational offerings. “This fall, Age Concern will partner with Bermuda College’s, Athora Division of Professional and Career Education, to launch a care home administrator credentialing programme,” Dr. Fleming indicated. “These initiatives have been years in the making and reflect a long-term strategy—shaped by feedback from administrators themselves—to improve learning and care quality across the island.”
The spokesperson said, “The strategy and impactful training programme has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the XL and Bermuda Foundations.
“The next wave of ACB-led islandwide training will focus on Elder Abuse Awareness, delivered in partnership with Bermuda Government’s, Aging and Disability Services.”
