Ashford care home helps to launch industry-first tea blend for residents on modified diets

In time for Nutrition and Hydration Week 2025, an award-winning care home Head Chef has helped to develop a new tea blend specifically formulated to taste significantly better when thickened, for residents on modified diets. 

Care UK has exclusively developed this industry-first tea in partnership with Tea From The Manor, designed to enhance the tea-drinking experience of residents living with dysphagia.

Anna Sudak, Head Chef at Montfort Manor, on Kennington Road, has a passion for understanding residents' requirements and she has made a commitment to providing residents with choices, especially those living with dysphagia. 

Dysphagia is the medical term given to difficulty swallowing, a common symptom for older people, especially those living with dementia, Parkinson’s and many other conditions. Those living with dysphagia are often required to adopt a modified diet incorporating thickened liquids, to lower the risk of aspirating when drinking fluids.

To better understand residents living with dysphagia Anna adopted a modified diet of thickened liquids and found that she suffered from headaches caused by dehydration. She also found adding thickening agents to liquids can often compromise the flavours, leading to those on modified diets drinking less and facing dehydration. 

To help combat this issue Anna alongside Care UK’s Hotel Services Manager Andrew Mussett, Care UK’s Next Level Tea was exclusively developed in partnership with boutique tea company Tea From The Manor, to provide a tasty solution for residents.