Pictured (left to right): Kathryn Houlihan, Tania Arantesdesousa, Jennifer Eskes, Emily Pridham, Allison Fontenla, Roslyn Raina, Donna Dawkin, Kate Crossland, Sam Spence.

Dufferin Place Long-Term Care Home in Nanaimo – which is operated by Island Health and supported by the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation – is celebrating a win. A Celebration of Excellence award was presented to the Care and Food Services team at a joyful event on March 7, where thanks were offered to all those who endeavored to make change happen for the residents that call Dufferin Place home.

As a long-term care home, the primary focus for those who work at Dufferin Place is the wellness of their residents. When staff recognized that meal service could be improved, they got to work brainstorming a solution.

Together, the Care and Food Services team developed a new system in which residents can now choose items off of a mobile dining-cart within the dining room. Where residents previously had plated meals delivered to them on trays, this change provides a newfound sense of autonomy at meal time. Item choice and portion size is up to residents to decide and they are free to decline anything they do not want to eat.

The shift has been a resounding success, with more residents now actively choosing to dine in the dining room. Dufferin Place staff have also perceived an increased sense of independence and social engagement amongst residents.

Congratulations to the Dufferin Place Care and Food Services teams!