The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the wellbeing of residents in aged care, with facilities no longer able to take residents on external outings due to their higher risk of becoming very sick if exposed to COVID-19. Up until March we regularly took the residents to Cafe's and other locations in the region to help keep them involved in the community. Visitation to Merton Court has also had to be reduced and other restrictions imposed such as the requirement of all visitors to have their influenza vaccination.

To fill the void, we have increased the hours of the activity officer and increased our own special event lunches to try and make up for the lack of external activities. However, the residents are really missing those treats at the cafes.

So, we were overjoyed to hear that Hollydene and Westpac Muswellbrook wanted to organise a special lunch for the residents after hearing about their COVID-19 enforced restrictions during a Business Connect Forum we are participating in courtesy of the Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Other members of the Chamber are also contributing to the lunch through sponsorship or gifts for the residents. These include: Muswellbrook Floral Studio, Melanie's Jewellers, RMS, Mangoola Coal and Pirtek. This sponsorship has enabled Hollydene to provide a 5 star menu for the residents. A classical guitarist will provide a lovely ambience throughout.

The residents are now looking through their wardrobes for their best clothes, some are even putting the call out to family to buy a new shirt so they look the part! We are all very much looking forward to the day. Thank you so much to the team at Hollydene and Westpac Muswellbrook.