Maggie Beer's Big Mission

Natalie O'Brien, our principal speech pathologist, had the privilege of being a member of Maggie Beer's esteemed team of experts in their collaborative effort to enhance the dining experience for residents of residential care facilities across Australia. Their collective endeavour is chronicled in the heartwarming television series "Maggie Beer's Big Mission." Renowned Australian cook Maggie Beer lead this initiative, aiming to elevate the quality of food served in aged care facilities by advocating for fresh, nutritious ingredients and flavourful meals that promote residents' well-being.

Natalie provided invaluable training and support, particularly addressing the challenges related to dysphagia (difficulty eating and drinking), which affects 50% of the residents living in facilities in Australia. In addition, Natalie and Karen, another exceptional speech pathologist on our team, mentored speech pathology students in crafting meaningful communication opportunities for residents, enhancing connections and enriching dining experiences. Karen played a crucial role in the data collection team, providing rich insights into the project's outcomes.

Through Maggie Beer's unwavering passion for culinary excellence and the expertise of her team, the team work to inspire positive transformations in how food is prepared and enjoyed in aged care settings, underscoring its profound impact on overall health and happiness.

Watch Natalie in "Maggie Beer's Big Mission" Tuesday 9 July 2024 at 8:30pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview.

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DO I NEED A SPEECHIE?

A lot of people aren't clear on who may require speech therapy. Have you ever thought:

Why isn’t my baby talking yet and what can I do?

My toddler isn’t talking in sentences, what can I do?

Why can’t other people understand my preschool child when they talk?

Why is my child harder to understand than other kids?

Why did my child’s teacher say I need to see a speech pathologist?

My child is having trouble learning to read….what does this have to do with speech pathology?

My husband can’t eat or drink properly after a stroke….when will this get better?

My Mum has trouble swallowing…..will she choke?

My wife’s voice is really quiet and she has Parkinson’s disease. How can I help her be heard when we go out?

How can my Dad learn to talk again after a stroke?

How can I help my Mum to connect in a meaningful way as she journeys through dementia?

What can be done to make mealtimes more successful in my grandfather's facility?

All of these things can be addressed in an initial consult with a Speech Pathologist. Speech pathologists listen to your concerns, establish your goals and help you to come up with a plan that will work for you and your family.