Spotlight on STAFF Tahlia McDermott 🍴

What is your role at Eloura and when did you start here? 
I am in Hotel Services, where my role is to prepare, cook and serve resident meals. I started in March this year.

Please tell me a little about your qualifications / career history? 
I have worked in various hospitality services over 15 years, and aged care services for the last 3 years. I have completed a Certificate III in understanding dementia and Bachelors degree in Biology.

Please explain what food means to you, why is this your chosen area to work in? 
To me food is essential. It is part of our daily lives, providing nutrients and proteins to sustain energy, health and growth of our bodies. Eloura is where I have chosen to work because I enjoy cooking/baking and it brings me great satisfaction to see residents enjoy their meal and compliment my efforts.

How do you feel that food makes a difference to the residents at Eloura/Why is food important? 
Food is a large part of each resident’s day, impacting on nutrition, activity and lifestyle. It is important for me to provide our residents with healthy and satisfying food, to not only reach their nutritional intake value each day, but also to be able to give them an enjoyable experience to look forward to at meal times.

Please tell me a bit about recent trainings you have undertaken?
The Maggie Beer Foundation is an educational system developed by Maggie Beer, working aside leading chefs and health professionals to develop recipes and meal plans, including fortification, textures, presentation and taste, catered for the aged community.

How do you feel Eloura/Quirindi Care Services makes an impact in the community? 
Here at Eloura, we are able to offer a safe and homely residence for aging people in the community, where families can feel welcomed and assured their loved ones are receiving care and compassion from our staff members.

We take all feedback of meals and service on board and look to implement any changes necessary for residents to receive enjoyable, nutritious meals, made with fresh, quality produce.