Oonagh Boon, Hospitality and Catering Manager, Belong,

Marvellous MealtimesBelong Villages

“Ultimately good food and an enjoyable mealtime can improve

one’s satisfaction with life. “

Belong villages are places where people can feel at home in their own private space whilst being in close proximity to a range of facilities and activities that are available within a

vibrant community.

Belong provides flexible services and accommodation that will adapt to the changing needs of older people along their life

journey .

Belong - a unique lifestyle concept for older people.

Village centre

Households

Apartments

Belong at Home

Belong villages

Experience Days

Bistro Hair & Beauty Salon The Venue

Internet Café

Vibrant communities

Exercise Studio

Core Village Facilities

72 en suite Bedrooms

26 Apartments

Belong village layout

Support Services • Dementia Care • Nursing Care • Intermediate / Respite • Personal Care Belong at Home

12 bedroom households

Belong dining options

• Bistro• Dining experience• Family and friends• Subtle support• Take away• Households• Belong card

Belong Households

Patio doors on to secure garden area or balcony

Large bedrooms with en-suite shower

Lounge & Living Space

Dining Area

Domestic Kitchen

Spa Bathroom

Open Plan Living

Secure Entrance

Belong Households

Belong households

Kitchens at the heart of the household High visibility Purposeful activity Smells Real choice Flexible mealtimes Access and

involvement Improved appetite

Marvellous Mealtimes

• Our strategy for improving nutrition and enjoyment

• Recognise signs of malnutrition and dehydration

• Improve nutritional awareness• Staff training• Use of MUST for all• Recognise weight loss; do something

about it • Provide real choices• Prevent illness, promote

independence and well being• Improve Mealtimes and Mealtimes

Outcomes• Positive experiences• Nutritional importance increased• Awareness of physical need-

ageing process• Social support and friendship• Partnership and family involvement• Relaxing with time to make

choices• Sense of security, create meaning

and order to the day• Hostess role developed• Importance of crockery, mats etc.

“We aim to protect and improve family mealtimes and create a calm atmosphere for our customers”

Belong Code of Practice

1. Ensure that mealtimes provide an opportunity for residents to socialise with others, to make choices according to their own preferences and to relax.

2. Create a relaxed and social atmosphere by limiting distractions and minimalising noise.

3. Encourage residents to participate in the preparation of meals where possible.

4. Assess each person as an individual and help to develop a diet with the chef that people find appetising and appealing.

Belong Code of Practice

5. Encourage residents to make real choices through the provision of pictures and menus.

6. Involve residents in household menu planning7. Make healthy snacks and drinks visible,

accessible and available throughout the day. 8. Present all food in an appetising manner 9. Avoid the use of laxatives and high calorie

food supplements by offering a well balanced diet and food that boosts calories, protein and roughage.

Belong Code of Practice

10.Be flexible in the times of food service and offer favourite foods at the times a resident prefers and the place eg Bistro.

11.Always carry out a nutritional assessment for anyone that we are worried about and refer to a dietician where necessary.

12.Make sure medication is only given with meals if prescribed as such

13.Remind visitors, GPs, nurses and other visiting professionals not to disturb mealtimes, but welcome them to join us.

Belong Code of Practice

14.Provide crockery and cutlery that is easy to use and is recognisable.

15.Get involved in mealtimes and take our meals with the residents where possible.

16.Do not to take breaks during mealtimes unless it is enjoyed sitting with the residents.

17.Allow sufficient time for people to really savour their food by not offering the next course until people are ready.

18.Ensure ‘Hot’ food and drinks are ‘Hot’!19.Serve coffee/tea at the table after a meal

to allow residents time to relax and chat

Belong Code of Practice

Revealing Belong Atherton

Belong A Home for Life