Your lifestyle at Resthaven

We have a dedicated and enthusiastic team of staff who will passionately support you to continue your lifestyle. Our lifestyle programs are based on your interests and suggestions.

We partner with you to design activities that fulfill your interests, preferences and personal needs.

The Lifestyle Coordinator goes above and beyond planning excellent lifestyle activities ensuring that each resident is as involved as they wish. Her dedication is exceptional.

In this part of our life journey, to know that we are loved for who we are is appreciated. Thank you for giving so much to each and every one of us!’ – Resident of Resthaven Leabrook

The lifestyle program includes calendar events throughout the year, including cultural and religious observances and support. The calendar is distributed regularly, and displayed on notice boards.

The site newsletter also contains features on activities and special events.

Our staff enjoy creating opportunities for connecting, engaging, socialising, being creative and learning. For example:

entertainment
bus trips
gardening
art and craft
computer skills
current Affairs and companionship
quiz and card games
singalongs/music
armchair travel

older lady touching flowers

Our Christmas was the best one in a long time: the food, the table settings, decorations, the meal, the staff, the whole team were there to assist and please us all. The gifts were unexpected and so many were amazing “not just one fits all!” They were so well thought out! And much appreciated – “all my Christmas’s came at once!” There are not enough words to express thanks, gratitude and appreciation for a wonderful day!
When can we have another Christmas party?!

-Resthaven Westbourne Park resident

This Penpal Program between the residents of Resthaven Malvern and the Baan Sudthavas Foundation (BSV) in Thailand is a peace and friendship building program for older people from different backgrounds who share a common understanding. They have exchanged letters and gifts as part of an ongoing cultural exchange.

The program culminated in being international finalists in the Innovation of the Year—Service Implementation category at the 5^th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards 2017.

All lifestyle programs are based on your interests and suggestions.

A Lifestyle Coordinator describes the role:

‘My role is really about improving people’s quality of life. If you see someone smile at the end of the day, you’ve won.’

‘It’s a real pleasure to get to know each different person. You learn about how other people have lived, and what they’ve lived through. It’s amazing to hear their stories.’

‘It’s the little things that make the difference. You need to work out what people like, what each individual enjoys. It’s arranging an iPad call so that someone can sing a song to her grandchild every week, or making sure someone is wearing their favourite pair of shoes. Those little things are important.’

Family and friends

Spending time with family and friends is important.

Residents can book a lounge or dining area on site for your private function to spend time with family and friends.

Each site has several lounges, and some have private dining rooms.

Outdoor entertainment areas are also available for barbeques and social activities.

two senior ladies having coffee together

Food and dining experience at Resthaven

Resthaven understands that the food and dining experience is extremely important to the wellbeing of those older people who choose to call Resthaven home.

Our seasonal menus (four per year) undergo an extensive consultation process.

Menus are built based on feedback gained via Resident Food Committee meetings, quarterly menu surveys, and menu feedback cards available in every dining room.

Residents are welcomed and encouraged to provide feedback to the menus at any time.

The menus, which are approved by a dietitian prior to rollout, take into consideration the individual dietary requirements of the resident community, along with important health and safety considerations relevant to older people, such as difficulty swallowing or increased risk of infection.

Our Corporate Coordinator Hospitality Services (Food and Dining Lead) oversees our dining excellence program, supporting the Hospitality teams at all twelve of our residential sites.

Read about Resthaven & the Maggie Beer Foundation food and dining project How training helps Resthaven increase kitchen efficiency and improve nutrition

younger woman standing ssimiling at group of older people having a meal at an aged care home

View a day’s menu at Resthaven Malvern View menu sample at Resthaven Paradise

Our Gardens

Many Resthaven residential and community services sites have ‘sensory gardens’, promoting relaxation and calm, peacefulness, and a sense of independence.

Sensory gardens aim to stimulate all five senses – sight, sound, smell, taste and touch – through a variety of features. These include scented plants, water features, wind chimes, textured garden ornaments and furniture, bright colours, and array of plants and flowers that bring seasonal reminders of time and place.

Resthaven sensory gardens are enjoyed by residents, clients, staff, and their friends and families alike.

Pastoral Care, Chaplaincy, and Spiritual Support

Resthaven’s team of Coordinating Chaplains engage with people from all social, emotional and spiritual backgrounds, supporting them to meet spiritual and pastoral care needs.

They collaborate closely with other members of the residential care and service team, providing individually-tailored responses to residents of all faith journeys – whatever that means to them – respecting the dignity and sacredness of each individual’s unique spiritual journey.

Two women sitting on a garden bench at Resthaven Mitcham. The first woman is a chaplain, wearing a navy blouse, and the second woman is an elderly resident, wearing a light blue blouse.