Maggie Beer’s Big Mission on ABC – Spurred on by the shocking findings revealed from the recent Aged Care Royal Commission which exposed high rates of malnutrition in older adults living in aged care, Australian food icon, Maggie Beer, leads an ambitious world first social experiment to transform the meals and dining experience at an aged care home in Perth.
Over 4 months Maggie and her team of experts reinvigorate the menu, dining rooms, gardens and the care model to bring more joy, improve nutrition and well- being and give purpose to the residents. The aim is to increase the overall quality of life at the home for both the residents and the staff.
Maggie’s approach centres around mealtimes – creating nutritious and delicious food made from fresh ingredients, dining in a beautiful environment with dignity and importantly, being able to have choice and having the autonomy to make those decisions.
Choice has been shown to be one of the primary reasons for improved food and nutritional intake in residential aged care service settings.
Maggie and her team face many challenges – breaking down barriers and encouraging staff and management to try new ways, think differently and to understand that there are better ways to care for residents.
Food for older people has many complications which requires food to be modified.
It’s an exacting technique that shockingly has no specific training requirements. Maggie struggles as she discovers the staff skill level is low which requires going back to basics and upskilling the team.
Production credit:
An Artemis Media production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia and the ABC in association with Screenwest and Lotterywest. Series Director and Producer Laki Baker. Senior Producer Phillipa Hutchison. Executive Producer Celia Tait. ABC Commissioning Editor Julie Hanna. Head of Factual Susie Jones. International Sales: ABC Commercial.
Maggie Beer’s Big Mission on ABC and ABC iview – Tuesday 9 July at 8:30pm
You can listen to a TV Central podcast with Maggie HERE
TV Central ABC content HERE
