{"id":5794,"date":"2026-02-24T15:43:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T04:43:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/?p=5794"},"modified":"2026-02-24T15:43:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T04:43:40","slug":"safe-and-enjoyable-meals-research-needs-your-input","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/safe-and-enjoyable-meals-research-needs-your-input\/","title":{"rendered":"Safe and enjoyable meals research needs your input"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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We\u2019re teaming up with Onemda, the University of Technology Sydney, Speech Pathology Australia and Professor Jeff Chan (former Senior Practitioner and Deputy Commissioner at the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission) on an important and exciting research project focused on making mealtimes safer\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span><\/i>\u00a0more enjoyable for people with disability and dysphagia living in supported accommodation.<\/span><\/p>\n

We all know that creating meals that are safe and enjoyable can be tricky. The SAFE-MEALS project understands this challenge. Sometimes the strategies we use to keep people safe, like Mealtime Management Plans, can be seen as limiting someone\u2019s freedom or the simple pleasure of enjoying a good meal.<\/span><\/p>\n

And here\u2019s why this work matters so much: choking is the leading cause of preventable, premature death for people with disability in Australia, especially in residential settings. That\u2019s a reality we absolutely must change, and together we can.<\/span><\/p>\n

That’s why Melba is proud to be partnering on this research.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s about more than just safety. It\u2019s about dignity, rights, choice and the joy that comes from a meal done well.<\/span><\/p>\n

The \u201csafety\u201d part of this project might seem obvious, but the focus on\u00a0enjoyable meals<\/strong>\u00a0is what really lights us up here at Melba. Because everyone deserves meals that are not only safe but delicious, meaningful and something to look forward to.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Anneke Jurgens, Melba’s General Manager, Practice, Quality & Safeguards, says, for many people with disability, mealtimes can feel like just another task for people to \u2018get done\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cImagine eating every meal without conversation or laughter,\u201d she says. \u201cFor too long this has been the case for many people with disability. I am really hopeful that studies like this start to make changes in this area and I encourage everyone to get involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

The project is currently recruiting people with disability, support workers, family and friends and other Melba employees to be involved in an anonymous online survey and\/or an interview or focus group.<\/p>\n

The project is looking for:<\/p>\n