OMNI homes serve up ‘delicious’ stories in 2021

Quality food is a top priority for residents, and homes work hard to deliver meals residents love

One of the many strengths found in OMNI Health Care long-term care homes is meal service. Being served high-quality meals is at the top of the list of things residents value, and team members strive to provide meals that are well presented and taste great.

At Springdale Country Manor, the nutritional care department works with team members throughout the home to organize monthly requested luncheons for residents, an idea that came from the Peterborough County long-term care home’s residents’ council.

Residents put forth a suggestion for a special lunchtime meal each month, and the life enrichment department, with support from the nutritional care, nursing, environmental services and management teams, makes the monthly luncheons happen.

Some of the meals residents requested in 2021 include make-your-own pizzas and barbecued steak.

Life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) Sonia Murney underscores the importance of all Springdale team members collaborating for these monthly events.

“Support and teamwork make all events happen in our home,” she said in May.

When it comes to creating memorable mealtime experiences for residents, homes also place a strong emphasis on being inclusive.

At Country Terrace, residents who require texture-modified meals were served a five-star dinner in June that featured dinnertime favourites lasagna and pork chops.

Residents requiring minced meals were presented with finely chopped lasagna noodles placed in a glass bowl between layers of meat sauce and ricotta cheese; residents on pureed diets enjoyed pork chops that were pureed and then frozen in a silicone mould shaped like a pork chop and then cooked and plated.

“Residents ate outside on the patio, which added to the enjoyment, and the activities and maintenance departments did a great job decorating it,” said nutritional care manager Alex Achillini.

Often, homes merge special meals with fun activities. In February, team members turned West Lake Terrace into Arnold’s Drive-In, the famed diner where characters from the 1950s-themed sitcom Happy Days would hang out.

The food and decor were part of a 1950s-themed week team members organized at the Prince Edward County long-term care home.

Residents enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, fries and onion rings that were served in baskets lined with the checkered paper that greasy spoons use. There were ice-cream sundaes served for dessert and cherry cola to wash everything down.

“(Residents) had a blast, they’re already asking when we can do it again,” said LEC Janie Denard.

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