Boandik to join the Maggie Beer revolution

Boandik Mount Gambier is excited to announce its selection as one of just 120 aged care homes across the country to participate in the Maggie Beer Foundation Trainer Mentor Program. This transformative initiative promises to revolutionise the dining experience for aged care residents, focusing on improving nutrition, taste, and overall enjoyment of meals. Boandik is thrilled to be part of a project that will play such a crucial role in enhancing the lives of its residents through the joy of food.

The program will kick off this week with a five-day intensive course, which will unite Boandik’s kitchen, servery, and lifestyle teams with the Maggie Beer Foundation to explore innovative solutions for improving dining experiences. The teams will brainstorm creative approaches to make mealtime more enjoyable, with a focus on enhancing the nutritional value, presentation, and taste of the meals served to residents.

Over the next twelve months, the program will continue with ongoing education and support from accredited dietitians and nutritionists. These experts will work closely with Boandik’s kitchen teams, providing training, guidance, and inspiration to ensure that every aspect of meal service meets the highest standards of both nutrition and enjoyment. The goal is to empower Boandik’s chefs and staff with the skills and knowledge to create meals that not only meet the dietary needs of residents but also bring them genuine satisfaction and delight.

At the heart of this groundbreaking initiative is the Maggie Beer Foundation, which was founded in 2014 by the renowned Australian food industry icon Maggie Beer. Known for her passion for creating meals that bring joy and comfort, Beer has long been an advocate for improving food in aged care. Her commitment to this cause was sparked by the shocking findings of the 2018 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which revealed that 68% of aged care residents are either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.

In response to this crisis, Beer established the Maggie Beer Foundation with the goal of making food a source of joy for older Australians living in aged care. Through the foundation, Beer and her team aim to “make every mouthful count,” ensuring that each meal served to residents is not only nutritious but also truly enjoyable. This vision is being realised through a range of initiatives, including the Trainer Mentor Program, which is designed to empower aged care staff with the expertise needed to deliver meals that are both delicious and nutritious.

The foundation’s efforts gained national attention with the airing of a special ABC TV program that documented Beer’s journey of transforming an aged care facility’s dining experience in just four months. This program highlighted the positive impact that improved food experiences can have on the wellbeing of elderly Australians. Beer’s work has continued to expand, with the launch of the Improving Food in Aged Care through Education and Training program, which she introduced alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Minister for Aged Care.

The Maggie Beer Foundation’s Trainer Mentor Program has now grown to include more than 120 aged care homes across Australia, each of which is committed to improving the food experiences of their residents. Boandik’s participation in this program represents a significant step forward in improving the quality of life for its residents. 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.

Boandik Mount Gambier is proud to be part of this national effort to transform food in aged care. Through the Maggie Beer Foundation’s Trainer Mentor Program, Boandik is making a commitment to enhance the overall dining experience for its residents, ensuring that each meal served is a source of nourishment, enjoyment, and connection.

This initiative is an exciting opportunity for Boandik Mount Gambier to lead the way in the aged care sector, setting a new standard for food quality and service that other facilities can follow. By participating in this program, Boandik is not only improving the dining experience for its residents but also contributing to a broader movement aimed at improving aged care services across the country.