John Hayward really looks forward to his morning cappuccino.
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Its provides him with a great kick-start to his day and it’s something he recommends to his fellow residents of the Mercy Nursing Home.
The Mercy has recently installed a state-of-the-art coffee machine, snack fridge and a buffet breakfast and after a visit to the facility on Friday the Argus can confirm the new meal choices and hot drinks are really appreciated by the residents who are enjoying making their own decisions when it comes to dining.
Operated by Mercy Services the home currently houses 44 residents but there are big plans for its future that may result in the facility expanding to 106 beds.
Mercy’s Director of Care Services Cathy Kolder said the home was the first in the Hunter Valley to offer a buffet breakfast which will soon be available for both lunch and dinner.
“We want to offer our residents more choices and this is our first step with the buffet breakfast,” she said.
“And they really love being able to chose from a variety of cereals and hot meals. They can make the choice and for some who were very restricted in their meal selection, now we have more to offer, they are eating a wider variety of foods.”
To accommodate the greater meal choices the kitchen staff make smaller quantities of each option and this means two soup options for dinner each night along with two or three hot meal choices for breakfast.
The other change has been the lengthening of meal times with breakfast now available from 7:30am-9:00am which allows residents and staff more time for their morning routines.
“In the past homes have been too regimented and rigid so we are moving to create a more enjoyable lifestyle for our residents,” she said.
In the past homes have been too regimented and rigid so this a move in creating a more enjoyable lifestyle for our residents
- Cathy Kolder
The snack fridge has also proven very popular with residents able to access a variety of foods including yogurt, cheese and biscuits and fresh fruit throughout the day.
Plus the new coffee machine which provides residents with their caffeine hit when required.