Your lifestyle at Resthaven

We have a dedicated and enthusiastic team of staff who will passionately support you to continue your lifestyle.

We partner with you to design a tailored program that fulfills your interests, preferences and personal needs.

A lifestyle calendar is distributed regularly, and displayed on notice boards.

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

All lifestyle programs are based on your interests and suggestions.

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

• entertainment
• bus trips
• gardening
• art and craft
• computer skills

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.’

Sensory

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.

Spirituality

The Spirituality in the Garden program, introduced at Resthaven Marion by Rev Dr Bruce Grindlay, Coordinating Chaplain, seeks to build an interactive style of worship, with a focus on spirituality and the individual.

Learn more about our pastoral care, chaplaincy, and spiritual support.

The ‘Spirituality in the Garden’ program won an Aged Care Quality Agency ‘Commendation’ award at the 2017 Better Practice Awards in Sydney.

Read the story