Boandik has been selected as one of just 120 aged care homes across the country to participate in the Maggie Beer Foundation Trainer Mentor Program.
The program kicked off last week with a five-day intensive course, which united Boandik’s kitchen, servery, and lifestyle teams with the Maggie Beer Foundation to explore innovative solutions for improving dining experiences.
The transformative initiative promises to revolutionise the dining experience for aged care residents, focusing on improving nutrition, taste, and overall enjoyment of meals.
Maggie Beer Foundation senior trainer Michael Nam said he estimates over 60% of aged care homes taking part in the program are in regional or rural areas.
“We are starting off by taking and training the kitchen team through that we are creating meals that are tastier and more homestyle using fresh ingredients,” he said.
“Then we are moving that towards the residents and getting feedback from the residents. We do this through a food forum generally and that is an opportunity for residents to come and have afternoon tea with some chefs, care staff and management.
“After the five day intensive … there will be monthly catchups by me with the home and the kitchen team.
“The real magic of the program is to leave in 12 months and everything that we have done just becomes normal practice so it stays.
“Boandik is definitely well placed to take full advantage of this program and I am really hoping it is going to be fantastic for Mount Gambier and hoping that this will just be the first spark that is going to progress aged care or the transition of it for Mount Gambier.”
Boandik head chef Peter Coleman said he hopes to spread his new found knowledge to ither aged care facilities throughout the Limestone Coast region.
“It was an opportunity to see if we could get some resources down here in Mount Gambier to look at how we can improve the aged care situation down here in terms of the food,” he said.
“I am hoping that with us here at Mount Gambier, that we might be able to branch out and assist nearby aged care places … and see if we can transfer some of the ideas and concepts that we are doing through the Maggie Beer program into the entire South East.”
The program will provide Boandik with the tools, resources, and expert support needed to create lasting, positive change in the dining experiences of the elderly.
Strengthened Quality Standards will come into effect from July 1, in line with the commencement of the new Aged Care Act.
