To mark Malnutrition Week 2025 (8 to 12 September), we’re shining a spotlight on the unsung heroes of nutrition in our NSW homes.
Meet the Chef – Kumar Karki (Menaville, NSW)
Managing malnutrit
ion is a team effort – and one of the most vital contributions comes from the kitchen.
Kumar Karki (KK), our talented Chef at Menaville Aged Care is a real team player. KK (as he’s known) goes beyond preparing meals, working with our kitchen hands to create nourishing dishes, snacks, and drinks that meet residents’ nutritional needs while reflecting their preferences and cultural traditions.
A strong advocate for consumer choice, KK ensures residents have options at mealtimes and actively engages with their feedback – here he is pictured at one of our Food Focus Forums.
With a diverse community at Menaville, KK prepares favourites such as Greek Moussaka and Beef Cevapi with Ayvar Sauce, alongside much-loved Australian classics.
“He does work hard to ensure that our Menaville residents have tasty, prepared meals,” says Director of Nursing, Teresa.
KK is one of the many faces across our NSW homes showing that malnutrition is never managed by one person alone, but through the combined efforts of a whole team – from the kitchen to the bedside.
Meet the PCAP – Sarah Allso-Toal (Glenwood, NSW)
Next up, there’s Sarah, one of our wonderful Personal Carer Advanced Practice nurses in Glenwood Aged Care.
Sarah aims to identify malnutrition early and takes a proactive approach to understand the potential contributing causes. Her dedication ensures residents receive the right support at the right time.
“She is really good at her job, consistently writing thorough and detailed notes and providing comprehensive care,” says Director of Nursing, Kabita. “She is consistently proactive and implementing interventions like starting food
charts, giving alternatives, all while waiting for the dietitian review.”
Sarah’s commitment reflects the heart of what we do – providing holistic, person-centred care and working as a team with our Registered Nurses,
kitchen staff and LSOs to ensure no one slips through the cracks.
From detailed documentation to immediate practical solutions, she demonstrates how small actions make a big difference in preventing and managing malnutrition.
Meet the AIN Wellbeing/ Nutrition Assistant – Kunjita Mahat (Georges Estate)
Malnutrition management isn’t just about clinical care – it’s supported by many faces across our homes, including our AIN Wellbeing team.
Kunjita works as an AIN/Wellbeing/Nutrition Assistant at Georges Estate and recently joined us in this new role and has quickly become an invaluable member of the team.
One key part of her role is helping residents with their menu choices and identify specific food preferences.
She also ensures that mealtimes are more than just eating – they’re a positive, engaging dining experience.
She is a vital link between residents, clinical staff, and the kitchen, helping to make sure everyone’s nutritional needs and preferences are met. Kunjita’s dedication shows how every role contributes to supporting the management of malnutrition with our residents.