Levin Home residents take the plate with self-service dining

Levin Home resident Ian Chudleigh helps himself.


When dinner is served in the spacious dining room at Enliven’s Levin Home for War Veterans, the residents are free to pick and choose.

Levin Home introduced the self-service system, which is a positive move for the residents and staff, manager Michelle Day says.

She says almost all the residents like to help themselves. For those who are less able, staff members are on hand to help them choose what they want for dinner.

“Most residents sit down with a drink and then as soon as the hot food arrives, they’re up”.

All the meals are designed to provide the residents with tasty, nutritious options and variety.

Along with a varied weekly menu, Friday is fish and chip night and a traditional Kiwi roast of beef, lamb or pork with all the trimmings is on the menu for Sunday dinner.

“The residents are enthusiastic about the option to choose what they like best. You can see the differences on their plates of food!”

While many rest homes traditionally tend to have the main meal in the middle of the day, Levin Home and sister site Reevedon Home moved the main meal to the evening a few years ago, Michelle explains.

“We took a poll with the residents. They unanimously wanted it at night, like they had been used to in their own homes. By changing the main meal to dinner time they go to bed more content and rested, which means they are more likely to sleep better.”

Michelle says the self-service approach to dinner aligns with Enliven’s philosophy of care, which includes giving residents the opportunity to maintain their independence and have choice and variety in their lives.


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