Which? Report Highlights Care Home Food Concerns

As part of the investigation into care homes, undercover actors posed as residents in four care homes in England. They reported major problems with food, health and safety, and a worrying lack of activity for residents. The care homes were selected at random by Which? – one had previously been rated as poor by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), two were deemed satisfactory, and one had been rated good – and the actors' resulting diaries were analysed by a panel including an expert in inspection, an expert in activity and daily living, and a dietician. The results reveal that food in two of the care homes was unappetising and inadequate, and in one home experts found evidence of sub-standard portion sizes and inadequate calories or protein. One researcher reported a half-stone (7lb) weight loss in a single week. In three homes, residents sometimes had to wait 16 or 17 hours between dinner and breakfast without food, and in one home lunch was served just 90 minutes after breakfast at 10am. For dinner one researcher was served a small sandwich and a chocolate-covered ice cream, despite them previously stating they didn't eat chocolate.