Healthy ageing with dairy

This fact sheet was developed to translate emerging clinical evidence on dairy intake and musculoskeletal health into accessible, actionable guidance for older adults and residential aged care providers.

The brief

To synthesise research linking dairy consumption with falls and fracture risk reduction in older adults, and to develop an evidence-based, consumer-friendly resource suitable for home care services and residential aged care settings.

The context

Malnutrition and inadequate protein intake are significant risk factors for frailty, falls and fractures in older Australians. National data indicate that 97% of older people are not consuming adequate dairy. This shortfall contributes to suboptimal calcium and protein intake, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, reduced muscle mass and subsequent loss of independence.

Within residential aged care settings, nutrition quality has been a national policy focus following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. There is growing recognition that food provision is not simply a service issue – it is a clinical risk management issue linked directly to hospitalisations, fractures and health system burden.

This project aimed to support evidence-informed dietary improvements within aged care and community settings.

The evidence

The fact sheet translated findings from a world-first study demonstrating that older adults consuming at least 3.5 serves of dairy per day were:

– 11% less likely to experience falls

– 33% less likely to experience fractures

– 46% less likely to experience hip fractures

Importantly, the research highlights that the combination of calcium and protein within dairy foods is more effective at improving muscle mass and bone strength than supplementation alone.

The resource also provided clear guidance on what constitutes a serve (milk, cheese, yoghurt, ricotta) and practical intake targets aligned with healthy ageing recommendations.

Translation into practice

The fact sheet was designed to be:

– Accessible to older adults

– Actionable for home care services

– Practical for residential aged care providers

– Aligned with current aged care reform priorities

Rather than focusing solely on nutrient messaging, the resource translated evidence into simple behavioural strategies, including dairy fortification of staple meals, snack optimisation and menu adaptation.

It also empowered residents to engage with providers regarding food quality and variety, aligning nutritional improvement with broader system reform initiatives.

By bridging high-level clinical research with real-world food service implementation, this project demonstrates the role of evidence translation in reducing preventable falls, fractures and healthcare burden in older populations.

To read the handout, click here.

If you require support with evidence synthesis, position statements, aged care nutrition strategy, or translating clinical research into practical health communication materials, we welcome enquiries via our contact page, here: https://nprconsulting.com.au/contact/