Nutrition and Hydration Week 2026 in the UK takes place from 16 to 22 March, with a Global Tea Party on Wednesday 18 March, celebrating and promoting good nutrition and hydration practices. While the campaign is celebrated across many sectors, it is particularly significant in care settings, including care homes, nursing homes, supported living services, and community care environments.

In these settings, ensuring residents receive adequate nutrition and hydration is essential for maintaining health, preventing illness, and improving quality of life. Organisations across the country use this week to raise awareness, educate staff, and promote best practices in care.

Why Nutrition and Hydration Are Critical in Care Settings

Older adults and individuals receiving care are often more vulnerable to malnutrition and dehydration. Age-related changes, health conditions, medication side effects, and reduced appetite can make it more difficult for residents to eat and drink enough.

Poor nutrition and hydration can lead to:

1. Increased risk of infections
2. Delayed wound healing
3. Higher risk of falls
4. Fatigue and reduced mobility
5. Increased hospital admissions

By prioritising nutrition and hydration, care providers can significantly improve residents’ health outcomes and overall wellbeing.

The Role of Care Staff

Care staff play a vital role in ensuring residents maintain healthy eating and drinking habits. During Nutrition and Hydration Week, many care organisations focus on reinforcing key practices among staff, such as:

1. Monitoring residents’ fluid intake
2. Supporting residents who need help with eating or drinking
3. Offering nutritionally balanced meals and snacks
4. Identifying early signs of malnutrition or dehydration
5. Encouraging social dining to make mealtimes enjoyable

Training and awareness activities during the week help staff understand how small actions—such as offering regular drinks or adapting meal textures—can make a big difference.

Activities in Care Homes and Care Services

Nutrition and Hydration Week provides an opportunity for care providers to organise engaging activities that promote healthy habits among residents and staff. Common activities in UK care settings might include:

1. Hydration stations offering water, juices, and smoothies
2. Healthy snack tasting sessions
3. Themed afternoon tea events for residents and families
4. Smoothie or soup days promoting nutritious options
5. Educational sessions for staff on nutrition and hydration care

These events not only raise awareness but also encourage social interaction, which can improve appetite and overall wellbeing for residents.

Person-Centred Nutrition and Hydration

The key focus is ensuring person-centred care. This means understanding each individual resident’s dietary needs, cultural preferences, medical conditions, and personal tastes.

During Nutrition and Hydration Week, care organisations often review their practices to ensure they are:

1. Providing choice and variety in meals
2. Respecting residents’ preferences and routines
3. Supporting residents with special dietary requirements
4. Creating a positive dining environment

When meals are enjoyable and tailored to individuals, residents are more likely to eat and drink well.

Creating a Culture of Good Nutrition and Hydration

Nutrition and Hydration Week is not only about a single event—it helps create a long-term culture where nutrition and hydration are recognised as essential parts of high-quality care. By engaging staff, residents, and families, care providers can strengthen their approach to nutrition and hydration and ensure these practices remain a daily priority.

Conclusion

In UK care settings, Nutrition and Hydration Week plays a crucial role in highlighting the importance of good food and fluid intake for vulnerable individuals. Through education, activities, and person-centred approaches, care organisations can help ensure residents remain healthy, comfortable, and well supported. Ultimately, promoting good nutrition and hydration is a fundamental part of delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality care.

There are several Fusion Brain Boosters available on our website resource page to support with staff understanding of the importance of Nutrition and Hydration in care settings.

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