Food has always been about more than nourishment. It brings people together, sparks memories, and adds enjoyment to each day. As we get older, good nutrition continues to play an important role in helping us stay active, independent and well.
While our nutritional needs naturally evolve over time, eating well remains one of the most effective ways to support overall health and quality of life. The right balance of nutrients can help maintain strength, support brain health, boost immunity and keep us feeling our best.
Supporting Health Through Good Nutrition
Every stage of life brings change, and later life is no different. Some people may notice changes in appetite, taste preferences, or eating habits as they age. From our fifties onward, gradual changes can alter the way we digest, absorb, and use nutrients. These include:
- Appetite decreases as the hormones that trigger hunger (like ghrelin) become less active.
- Taste and smell can dull.
- Dental issues, dry mouth (a common side effect of many medications), and swallowing difficulties can all make eating harder.
The good news is that with thoughtful meal planning and nutrient-rich foods, you can continue enjoying delicious meals while supporting the body’s changing needs.
The Benefits of Eating Well
Protein supports strength and mobility
- Protein helps maintain muscle mass and strength, supporting confidence and independence in everyday activities.
Omega-3s and antioxidants support brain health
- Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and antioxidants contribute to cognitive wellbeing and healthy brain function.
Calcium and Vitamin D support strong bones
- Together, these nutrients help maintain bone health and support an active lifestyle.
Fibre supports heart and digestive health
- A diet rich in vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats can support cardiovascular wellbeing and digestive comfort.
Vitamins and minerals support immunity
- Nutrients including zinc, selenium and vitamins C and E help the body stay resilient and well.
Food Is One of Life’s Great Pleasures
Our menus are developed in consultation with independent dietitians to ensure residents receive balanced, nutritious meals, but just as importantly, meals they genuinely look forward to. We update our menus every season, and have a four-week rotation, and we also offer choice at mealtimes and work closely with residents to understand their preferences.
Food is personal. It’s shaped by culture, family traditions and favourite recipes collected over a lifetime. That’s why we take care not only with what we serve, but how we serve it. From presentation and variety to accommodating individual dietary needs, our goal is to make every meal both nourishing and enjoyable.
We often say that a care home is a resident’s home, and food should feel like home too.
More Than a Meal
Some of the best conversations happen around a dining table. Meals create opportunities to connect, share stories and enjoy time together.
At Radius Care, our kitchen teams, nurses and care staff work together to ensure every resident is nourished in every sense of the word. Families are always welcome to join their relatives for a meal and experience firsthand the care that goes into every plate.
Because good food is about comfort, connection and continuing to enjoy life’s everyday moments. Learn more about life at Radius.
Have questions about nutrition, our meal programmes, or how we support the wellbeing of our residents? Contact the team today, we’re always happy to have a chat.
Good food matters. Not just for nutrition, but for pleasure, comfort and the simple enjoyment of something that tastes genuinely good. It shapes the rhythm of the day and makes a real difference to how at home you feel. The kitchen prepares fresh, seasonal meals every day using quality ingredients, cooked properly. There are three main meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus snacks through the morning, afternoon and evening. Residents can choose from two dinner options each day.
Our kitchen puts real thought into what ends up on the plate. That means meals rooted in the food our residents grew up with: a proper roast, a good pudding, the kind of baking their mums made and they made themselves. We also cook with the seasons and the region, using local produce that reflects where you live. More swedes in Southland, more kumara in Northland.
Menus rotate on a four-week cycle and are refreshed four times a year, approved by an independent dietician. We cater for dietary requirements, allergies and cultural preferences. For residents who need texture-modified meals, we prepare fortified pureed food.
If there is something you particularly enjoy, or something that does not work for you, tell the team. A good meal is one of the genuine pleasures of the day and we want it to stay that way.
Walk into a Radius Care home on any given day and you’ll find residents arranging flowers, heading out on a local trip, joining a music session, baking, painting, playing housie, welcoming visiting children, or simply sitting together over a cup of tea.
Our Diversional Therapists and Activity Coordinators are some of the quiet magic-makers in our homes. They get to know each resident’s personality, routines, history, humour and interests, then create activities that feel meaningful to them. That might be helping in the garden, finishing a craft project, joining an exercise group, or listening to 1930s jazz.
What is Diversional Therapy?
The practice of Diversional Therapy (DT) centres enriching activities to support and improve a person’s wellbeing. DT is person-centred, working with each individual’s needs to incorporate activities that build emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. Activities range widely, and can include physical, leisure, social and cognitive tasks – all tailored for the individual. Radius Care’s experienced Diversional Therapists work closely with residents and carers to develop and adapt individual plans, starting from the moment we welcome a new resident into our community. A care plan is developed in collaboration with the resident, and their family, and is a living plan that evolves as a person’s needs change. DT recognises that every person, at every age and stage, has the right to varied, meaningful and enjoyable activities that improve quality of life.
Why it Matters
The benefits of Diversional Therapy are immense. Structured, meaningful leisure and recreation programmes lead to:
- Reduced rates of depression and anxiety
- Slower cognitive decline in people living with dementia, particularly through music-based and reminiscence activities
- Improved sleep quality
- Greater sense of autonomy and self-worth
- Stronger social bonds and reduced boredom or loneliness
Significant in Dementia Care
For residents living with dementia, a varied activities schedule is extremely beneficial. Memory may fade, but the capacity for emotion and sensory experience remains. A person who can no longer recall a family member’s name may still light up when they hear a song from their youth, or feel proud completing a familiar task like painting or kneading dough.
Our DTs are trained in person-centred dementia care and work closely with families to understand each resident’s life story. Their history, their career, their passions, their cultural background, their sense of humour, it all becomes the foundation for every interaction. We are not just managing a condition, we are honouring a person.
What Families can Expect
When a loved one moves into one of our care homes, our team will meet with them and with family members where possible. This initial conversation is about getting to know the whole person: what they love, what they have done, what still brings them pleasure, and what new experiences they might like to try.
From there, we work closely with physios, health assistants and care staff to develop a diverse activity plan that enhances residents’ strength, balance and mobility, as well as encouraging cognitive stimulation. The activities are always varied and reviewed regularly. Families are invited to be part of this, your insights are invaluable. And you are always welcome to join in. Family members often tell us that sitting alongside their parent in a craft session, or singing together in a music group, creates the best moments when they come and visit.
The People Who Bring the Day to Life
At Radius Care, we are incredibly proud of our Diversional Therapists and Recreational Coordinators. Their work brings colour, rhythm and personality into our homes every day.
They are the ones who remember that a resident used to love dancing, that someone else prefers to sit near the piano, that another resident lights up when children visit, or that a simple hands-on activity can bring back a sense of confidence and pride.
A good activity programme is never just a calendar on the wall. It is a living part of the home. It changes with the residents, the seasons, the local community and the little moments that make each day feel worthwhile.
As our Recreational Coordinator, Helen Baverstock, puts it:
“We’re here to enable residents to live their best life; enable them to do things they never would at home, take part in something different. To learn something new and bring some joy into their lives.”
This is what meaningful activity looks like at Radius Care: connection, confidence, joy and belonging, woven into everyday life.
Discover life at Radius
If you would like to learn more about life at Radius, explore our website or contact our friendly team for a chat.
We are proud to announce the upcoming launch of Luma, Radius Care’s new continence product range, developed to bring greater certainty, quality and control to an essential area of aged care.
The launch marks an important step for Radius Care as we continue to seek continuous improvements with practical, considered solutions that support the people in our care and the teams who care for them.
Launching Luma is an excellent opportunity to take a more proactive approach and develop a product range that better supports the practical needs of our care homes.
We initially moved into a phase of testing and validation across Radius sites. This gave us valuable insights, allowing us to refine the product, improve quality, and align specifications to what we truly needed in practice.
Chief Executive Andrew Peskett says the development of Luma reflects our commitment to finding practical solutions that support both residents and the wider organisation.
Following careful partner selection, product testing and validation across Radius Care sites, we developed the Luma brand and packaging with a focus on performance, quality and operational fit. Feedback from our teams played an important role in shaping the final product, helping us ensure Luma reflects what is needed in day-to-day care.
Our chosen supplier brings 15 years of manufacturing experience and a proven capability in producing high-quality products. Their high standards align closely with our own, which was essential from the beginning. Together, we want to ensure Luma is built on customer feedback, quality, sustainability and reliable supply.
We are now preparing to roll out the Luma range across all Radius Care homes early June this year, and they will also be available for retail purchase online from Radius Shop.
Eight Weeks of Kindness
Over eight weeks, 24 Radius Care homes took turns planning a random act of kindness. Each home had its own week. What stood out was not the scale, but the feel of it. You could hear it in the kitchen when baking started early, or in the lounge when someone asked, “Do you think they’ll like this?” You could see it in the way residents leaned in together over a craft table, or checked a list twice before heading out.
These weeks reminded us that care is not something one person gives and another receives. Residents were not waiting for kindness. They were making it. They baked for neighbours, knitted for new babies, visited schools, shared songs, and left small gifts where they knew they’d be found. Some acts were planned carefully, others happened on the spot. All of them came from the same place, a wish to be part of something outside the front door.
Elloughton Gardens residents thanked local kindergartens by making handmade cards and gifting children’s reading books to celebrate their special bond.
When residents are supported to give, something shifts. You notice shoulders sit a bit higher. Conversations get livelier. People start suggesting ideas of their own. A resident who is usually quiet might say, “What if we do it this way?” Staff and families step in alongside them, not to take over, but to back them. It becomes a shared effort, the kind that makes a home feel like a community in motion.
This campaign also changed how we see our homes. They are not just places where people are looked after. They are places where people still shape the world around them. A tray of scones dropped to a local group, a blanket handed over with a laugh, a wave at the school gate. These are simple moments, but they carry weight. They say, “We’re here, and we’ve got something to offer.”
What Lasts
Radius Millstream residents knitted and delivered baby hats, blankets, singlets, and other items to maternity wards in Ashburton and Christchurch.
What lasts after the eight weeks is that feeling of mutual care. Kindness moved in every direction, between residents, staff, whānau, and neighbours. It was practical and real. It showed that aging does not close a person off from giving. If anything, it can deepen it.
Random Acts of Kindness were small things done many times. And together, it nudged the story of care back where it belongs: with all of us, doing life alongside each other.
Hearts in Action Across Our Homes
I recently visited Taupaki Gables for my first-ever unofficial Health Care Assistant role. I sat with Lia Castillo, Marketing Coordinator, to share my reflections and lessons from that shift.
L: First, can you tell me about your first experience as a Health Care Assistant?
A: It was a very humbling experience, mainly because I wasn’t very good at it to begin with! Everything had to be learned on the job. I gained valuable insights and knowledge by fully committing to my role as an HCA, reporting to the Registered Nurse as is the usual practice. I assumed everything would be quiet later in the shift, but residents were still up chatting away. An example, at 10:30 pm, I was still shuttling hot milo drinks to residents.
L: What surprised you the most about your HCA shift?
A: The complexity of each resident’s needs. Even something as simple as getting everyone into pyjamas, into bed, and comfortable takes far more energy and coordination than you’d ever imagine. Until you’re in the role, you really can’t grasp how demanding it is. [AC1] Seeing that first hand gave me a whole new level of respect for the responsibility our staff carry. It reinforced how important it is to ensure every care home has the right support.
L: Was there a moment that really stood out to you during the shift?
A: I was struck by just how intricate care work is. Every resident requires this careful balance of efficiency and kindness. I remember being in the continence room with Aruna and thinking you need an alert mind and excellent system to keep track of the continence needs of so many residents. and that’s just one small part of the job!
L: What was your favourite moment?
A: The camaraderie among staff. Despite the intensity of the work, they joke and laugh together, creating such a light, positive environment. Towards the end of the shift, I also realised I’d built strong bonds with many of our residents in such a short time. That connection is a really powerful emotion.
L: Did the experience change how you see the work our HCAs do?
A: Absolutely. I felt incredibly proud of the team. Their ability to retain so much information while carrying such big responsibilities is remarkable. They work with real commitment and never lose their compassion. The balance they strike is inspiring. Watching how they interact with residents, you can see they genuinely bond with them as if they were family.
L: Are you taking any of these insights to the Radius Care Board?
A: Yes, I already have. One thing that stood out was how much time our people spend on data collection and shift handovers. We’re now looking at automation projects to make this a slicker process and so freeing up time for our people to spend more time with our Radius Care residents.
L: Would you do this again?
A: Definitely. I’m already planning an HCA shift at Radius Care Waipuna shortly, and another at Radius St Allisa. I’d also like to try different roles at some stage.
L: Is there a message you want to give to health workers, not only at Radius Care but across New Zealand?
A: Care homes are very special places, but the work is incredibly challenging, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Staff have so much commitment to look after people at a stage of life we haven’t personally experienced yet. I deeply admire that. It inspires me to be a leader who truly listens and responds to the needs of our people.
Andrew Peskett
Chief Executive Officer
A Sanctuary of Comfort and Respect
Radius Care is proud to announce the creation of a dedicated, advanced dementia care (D6) wing for women at our Hawthorne care home. We understand that every individual’s journey through aged care is unique and that’s why we’ve built a specialised environment. It is designed to provide our women residents with an enhanced sense of security, comfort, and respect, offering families a valuable alternative in care for their loved ones.
Every person’s experience of dementia is different. Gender-specific care environments have shown real benefits for women living with dementia, and the response at Hawthorne has reflected that. Uptake has been strong and families have responded positively to having a space that feels genuinely tailored rather than one-size-fits-all.
The lives of many women now entering care were defined by long-term partnerships or independent living. Transitioning to a mixed-gender care environment can present unexpected challenges and anxieties. Our women-only wing addresses these concerns, creating a space where residents can feel more at ease and connected with friends and family
“Since Radius Care opened the new advance dementia wing, wow, can I tell you the ladies are smiling. The ladies are up and about and walking more, they’re eating more, and they’re happier and more present. Advanced dementia is heartbreaking, it’s very hard on those with the condition and their families. To see such rapid improvement and how quickly our women took to the new women only arrangements brought me joy. It brought a lot of joy to our resident’s families too,” says Sarah Skinner, Care Home Manager for Radius Hawthorne.
Radius Care recognises the importance of creating safe spaces and delivering quality healthcare to people from different cultural backgrounds. For some families, the prospect of their loved one residing in a mixed-gender setting is uncomfortable. Our dedicated women-only wing provides a respectful alternative, ensuring peace of mind for residents and families.
A significant consideration in dementia care is behavioural change. Dementia is a challenging condition, unfortunately research indicates that men with dementia are more likely to exhibit unwanted behaviours. Creating a women-only environment minimises the risk of distressing situations involving female residents, the wing fosters a more tranquil and secure atmosphere.
Both our Victoria Wing (mixed-gender) and Brunner Wing (women-only) are undergoing thoughtful sensory enhancements designed to elevate comfort and independence. We’ve introduced softer, warmer lighting and strategic colour coding that marks different zones, aiding wayfinding and seamlessly integrating staff-only areas into the walls. Contrasting door colours empower residents to locate their individual rooms with ease, while research-backed colour schemes help manage moods.
To reduce overstimulation, Radius Hawthorne used contrasting wall colours below eye level with softer tones above, all complemented by luxurious, embossed wallpaper that offers a gentle tactile stimulus.
While dementia causes cognitive decline, it doesn’t stop the need for human connection. Radius Care’s women-only wing reduces the likelihood of challenging, newly formed, and transient companionship occurring. While forming new relationships and friendships is important, a lack of understanding, memory and consent can create difficult situations for residents and families. The advanced dementia wing provides a more stable and predictable environment and reduces the occurrence of unwanted behaviours and relationships – all while safeguarding the dignity and well-being of our female residents.
Radius Care is committed to giving families more choices when making the hard decision to put a loved one in advanced dementia care. We will also continue to offer mixed-gender care within our other dementia units, ensuring that families have the flexibility to select the environment that best suits their loved one’s needs.
The advanced dementia care women-only wing at Radius Hawthorne is more than just a secure space – it is a demonstration of our commitment to providing personalised, respectful, and compassionate care. It is an environment where women will maintain their sense of dignity and feel safe, secure, and comfortable.
To learn more about Radius Hawthorne click here
Navigating the world of aged care can be daunting. Naturally there are many questions around what to expect, what’s involved and the best choice for you or your loved one.
What is aged care and what type of aged care is best for me?
Discussing care can be a difficult and emotional process. Usually it can occur within very short time frames, or as an emergency pre-caution. Therefore it’s important to understand what care entails, how it works and whether it’s right for you or your loved one.
Care can be great for many people and their family members who need specialist medical support, company or even short-term respite for a few hours a week. While it may feel confusing or stressful at first, there are some clear indication signs that you or a loved one may benefit from additional care. These are worth checking and having an open conversation with yourself or your loved one
There are many different types of care and it’s important to consider what’s best for you and your loved ones. At Radius we offer a range of aged care services depending on the level of support you may need. In many cases, it can be as short as a few days, although there are also longer-term options too.
If you are unsure about whether it’s time to consider care, we are always here to talk.
Speak to a dedicated expert
We have an expansive network of dedicated care specialists who are available to help and answer any questions you may have, no matter the stage of your journey.
With years of experience and a broad spectrum of expertise, they’ve heard and seen it all. If you have a question, they’re well equipped to know the answer and put your mind at ease.
We understand the importance of having a one to one conversation with a real person. Therefore it’s essential to maintain open lines of communication with all our clients. We endeavour to ensure they gain the best quality care and utmost attention.
If you have any questions or need a friendly professional to speak to, feel free to call our Advice Line 8.30am-6pm, Monday to Thursday.
Call on 0800 550 888
Email advice@radiuscare.co.nz
Or find a care home near you to get local support.
See our support video gallery for advice on how to talk to your loved one about care.
Exciting News!
Radius Care has been awarded an ACC Maximum Independence (MI) contract, marking a significant step forward in how we support people recovering from injuries.
From March 1, 2025, we began delivering specialist, home-based care nationwide for ACC clients—including in areas where we don’t have Radius Care homes. This means we can now provide tailored, in-home support for people with complex medical needs, such as spinal injuries, brain injuries, and high-needs rehabilitation.
Through the ACC MI program, our goal is to help clients recover, regain independence, and thrive in the comfort of their own homes.
What This Means for You:
✔ Personalised, high-quality care for those with complex health needs.
✔ Exciting career opportunities for those passionate about specialist home care.
✔ Stronger partnerships with ACC and the broader healthcare community to improve care and support.
We invite you to connect with us—whether you need support, or want to learn more about our services. Let’s make a difference together!
If you are interested in working with us, please visit 👉 https://radiuscare.co.nz/careers/
Kerry Brazier, employee at Radius Care Windsor Court and Matamata talks to us about her husband’s journey with Radius Care and how Respite care has helped them navigate everyday life…
“I thought my husband, Paul, would never agree to go into respite care, but after his first stay at Radius Glaisdale, he loves it and is really happy to spend time there.
When I brought him back for a longer stay the next time, he was greeted by name and staff remembered which room he’d stayed in last time and told him which room he’d be in this stay. I’m so grateful to the staff. Everyone there speaks so nicely to Paul and the other residents.
I worried he would be sad or want to go home. In fact, it has been good for him. He hadn’t been able to read a book for more than four years, but last time he was at Glaisdale he read a whole John Grisham. Ash, the centre manager, says he’s quite the social butterfly when he comes to stay.
As a carer for a person with dementia it is absolutely life-changing for me to have time out. Paul genuinely loves it. Should he need full time care in the future, I know that he would be happy there. That’s a really nice feeling.”
To learn how short or long term care can work for you and your loved ones, read more about our aged care services here
Laurel Winwood, Facility Manager at Radius Taupaki Gables talks to us about moving her mother-in-law into care…
“Moving a parent into aged care is one of the most stressful times for an adult child. I know from personal experience.
Mum, who is actually my mother-in-law, was living in a small town five hours outside Sydney. We would visit her several times a year and noticed over time that she was not coping. Eventually she had a significant fall and was admitted to hospital.
At that point we knew that she wasn’t going to able to go back to her unit and we made the call to bring her closer to family. She’s now been at Radius Taupaki Gables for five years.
If I wasn’t working for Radius Care, I would still choose a Radius care home. It just feels right when you walk in the door.
When I leave Mum here at the end of the day, I have complete and utter trust in the team that they will do the right thing by her.
Mum knows all the staff, she loves to hear about everyone’s family, and she knows everything that’s going on in the community.
She’ll be 90 this year and she is now more involved and connected to her family than she ever has been. She gets the personalised care that she needs, and we get to enjoy her as Mum and Nana.”