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Being named Senior Australian of the Year in 2010 set national food icon Maggie Beer OA on the pathway to establishing a Foundation, whose purpose is to advocate, educate, facilitate and conduct research - aiming to ensure health and happiness for every older Australian.
Spurred by shocking findings from a recent Aged Care Royal Commission which exposed extraordinarily high levels of neglect, social isolation and malnutrition in elderly Australians living in aged care, Maggie leads the ambitious world-first social experiment captured in this series – aimed at transforming the meals and dining experience at an aged care home, and restoring health and joy to the residents and carers.
Over 4 months, the series tracks Maggie and her team of experts. With her mantra ‘make every mouthful count’, Maggie works closely with a speech pathologist, a dietitian, and the home’s Executive Chef, to introduce new recipes high in protein and full of flavour. Under the guidance of care change consultants, an occupational therapist and a registered nurse, the dining rooms are renovated to provide a beautiful environment. The shared garden is redesigned to encourage residents, families and staff to spend time outdoors.
Alongside this, the entire care model is re-vamped, taking best practice from existing care models and ways of working. A unique person-centred model of care is developed with a focus on the needs and abilities of each individual resident. Residents were encouraged to ‘do more’ with the introduction of resident roles, giving them purpose, dignity, increased social connection and tackling institutional loneliness.
With compassion, humour and heart, this critically important series shines a spotlight on a population segment often poorly portrayed or omitted altogether in media coverage. With an average cast age of 89 years old, and inspirational host Maggie Beer soon turning 80, the series puts older Australians front and centre.
It's a huge task and one that Beer takes on with gusto and her customary dazzling smile
- Sydney Morning Herald
Watching Beer and her team stand up for people who deserve so much more…makes for a very worthwhile experience
- Who Magazine
