Inclusivity and social engagement enriches all

By Petrina Wright | Posted: Thursday February 20, 2025

A combined Peacehaven Retirement Village and Iona Dementia Unit resident lunch is enriching lives through social engagement and inclusivity.

Last week (Feb 14), the first combined lunch since the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to them five years ago was held in Anderson Hall.

Dementia care manager Julie Worner said the lunch had been a “huge success” for the D3 residents.

“The residents were very excited to go out for lunch – they all ate more than they would [normally]… and I believe a great time was had by all.”

Julie was pleased to see the lunches reinstated.

“It helps keep a ‘normality’ for our residents.  It gets them out of the unit and mixing with other people.

“It also helps the village residents understand a little more about dementia.”

Peacehaven resident experience coordinator Lynn Morton said, at a recent village meeting several retirement village residents had requested the combined lunches be reinstated.

“The lunches provide an opportunity for socialisation,” Lynn said.  “The Iona residents feel like they are going out to a restaurant.”

In another resident-led initiative, a group of village residents were visiting the Iona unit to host activities and afternoon tea for the residents once a month.

Peacehaven sales and administration coordinator Karen Harvey said if these initiatives were well received by everyone involved, they could consider further joint activities.

“For me, it’s about inclusivity, giving the residents in Iona the opportunity for social engagement.

“It enriches the experiences for both village residents and Iona residents,” she said.

Village resident Dawn Wallace’s husband was a resident in the dementia unit.  She was one of the residents who had expressed an interest in doing activities with the Iona residents and had volunteered to assist with the lunches. 

“I think it is really good to give them the opportunity to be incorporated into the day-to-day life of the village as much as possible.”