Dining

Dining

Dining

Food is one of the greatest pleasures in life. Food is passion, culture, an expression of love, a great connector. Food is at the centre of many of our traditions and celebrations. Our lives are enriched by eating and sharing food with one another which is why we deliver exceptional dining experiences for our residents.

The enjoyment of food also plays a key role in ageing well. Eating healthy, tasty meals and snacks improves the quality of life and health outcomes.

 

Residents dining at Opal

 

All of our homes have a qualified chef leading the kitchen team. We serve three main meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and three lighter selections daily (morning tea, afternoon tea, supper).

We strive to deliver outstanding food experiences every day for our residents. We do this by building deep personal relationships with them, understanding their preferences and enabling resident choice wherever possible. 

Our dedicated chefs prepare a range of meals and snacks fresh from the kitchen every day.

Our goal is for residents to enjoy nourishing and flavourful food that strengthens the body, warms the heart and nourishes the soul. 

Delight in food is not always just in the eating. We encourage residents to participate in growing and preparing food because of the positive effects it can have on emotional wellbeing. For many residents, taking part in the meal preparation and enjoying food in a social environment nurtures a sense of belonging, family, community connection and inclusion.

Our chefs are motivated to create enjoyable food experiences for all of our residents, particularly as their dietary requirements and preferences change.

Chef Masterclasses ensure continuous improvements

Chef Masterclass 2020
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Commonly asked questions about Opal

  • Family pets are welcome to visit, although we ask our families to ensure that pets do not enter the dining room during mealtimes. In some circumstances, you may be able to bring your pet to live with you although this needs to be agreed in advance with the General Manager.

  • Yes, laundry services are provided in all our homes. We offer a complimentary labelling service so that your clothes are clearly labelled and can be returned to you as quickly as possible. Please ask a team member to arrange labelling of any newly acquired items prior to the items being used to ensure they do not go missing.  If you prefer a labelling option other than the one provided at the home, we may ask you or your representative to make arrangements, and to cover any additional costs. As we use industrial laundry machines, we recommend that delicate items of clothing be hand-washed by you or a family member or friend.

  • If you would like a private telephone, please speak with the General Manager to determine whether the home is able to provide you with a phone or other ways to stay connected to your family and friends. You may be asked to cover the costs of installation as well as rental of the landline. You are also welcome to bring your own mobile phone and charger if you prefer.

  • Yes, we support every resident to maintain social continence, where continence may be compromised. Following a comprehensive assessment, our nurses will allocate the appropriate high-quality disposable products as part of our care and services.  If you have a personal preference for a brand or if your doctor prescribes a continence aid that is not provided by us, these must be supplied and paid for by you or your representative.

  • No, you don’t need to have an Enduring Power of Attorney to move into an Opal home however we encourage you to consider appointing a trusted family member or friend to help manage your affairs and/or make health, medical and lifestyle decisions on your behalf if you are no longer capable of doing this for yourself.  If you would like to explore these options, the General Manager in the home can refer you to relevant resources.

  • At Opal, we value your thoughts and the opportunity to work with you to resolve any issues you may have. That’s why you’ll find it easy to raise a complaint, make a suggestion, share a compliment or just have your say.

    Here are some simple avenues to provide your feedbacks:

    1. Speak to a team member in your home.  This is often the fastest and easiest way to communicate your feedback and to resolve an issue.
    2. Arrange a time to speak with the General Manager in your home either in person or by phone.  Our General Managers appreciate the opportunity to work with you to action your feedback.
    3. You can submit your feedback using the online form or by calling 1800 767 074 and your feedback will be routed to the most appropriate manager and you will receive a reference number for tracking purposes.

    If you feel that your issue has not been resolved to your satisfaction, you may call 1800 767 074 and request an internal review from a senior member of our Opal Support Team.