A Fresh Approach to Mealtime
For people living with dementia, dining can serve up a host of challenges, that’s where the need for supportive dining in memory care comes in. Many memory care residents are finicky eaters, and food preferences often turn on a dime. Some have difficulty discerning colors, temperatures, and plate boundaries. Chewing and swallowing may eventually be compromised, along with the ability to hold a glass or handle utensils. Any interruption or change in routine can disrupt the desire to eat.
At Maple Cottage, we are taking a fresh approach to mealtime – finding new ways to reduce stress and deliver a safe, enjoyable, and nutritious experience for residents who are living with dementia.
Supportive Dining in Memory Care at Maple Cottage; Preserving identity and choice
Supportive dining in memory care is, first, about providing healthy meals and, second, about safeguarding a sense of self. A predictable dining experience helps residents feel in control and stay connected to who they are at the core.
At Maple Cottage we make every effort to create and maintain a familiar routine. For residents living with dementia regular mealtimes provide consistency, and that’s important to their dining success. If the routine is altered, confusion can set in, affecting their mood for hours.
Extra care is taken to make each meal flavorful and visually appealing. Nutritious selections use herbs and spices as primary seasonings. Nutritious, eye-pleasing pureed foods are prepared for those with swallowing challenges.
Personalizing the Experience
Key to successful supportive dining is a person-centered approach. We assess each resident’s stage in the dementia journey and build dining services around their individual needs.
Food aromas, sights, and sounds evoke memories that are hidden away in the brain. For example, a person with dementia may not be able to verbalize why the aroma of roast beef and gravy is comforting to them. But we can see by their response that it is. Food can be a mood changer, in the best of ways.
Families are closely involved in food decisions. Staff explore with family members their loved one’s dining history. What was their mealtime routine? What type of food do they delight in?
Promoting Staff Skills for Supportive Dining in Memory Care
Supportive dining at Maple Cottage hinges on carefully trained frontline staff. These are the ones who sit with residents while they eat and are the first to observe how needs may change. They see how much a resident is eating, what they are eating, and how they are interacting with their surroundings – and can recommend new approaches to food and ambiance.
Training is provided to caregiver teams, focusing on such topics as food presentation, mealtime atmosphere, and behavior management. It’s important for staff to observe resident behavior closely, because foods once customary can readily change as the resident’s journey takes a new turn. Someone whose favorite nightly treat was ice cream may now respond with disinterest. Someone who used to avoid a certain food for ethnic or religious reasons – pork, for example – may suddenly be reaching for the ham and bacon. Previous boundaries have blurred.
Providing the Right Environment
Every effort is made to create a calm and relaxing experience. Diners are typically seated at tables of four to six. They can sit wherever they like, but often choose the same seat and table. Sitting in the same place enables residents to have control. They’re in their spot, and they entirely own it. We also use square edges as opposed to round, because square lines clearly define space.
Mealtime is typically a social event. If the resident can’t verbally participate in a conversation, just being at the table can evoke a feel-good response. The experience of being in the presence of others is stimulating in the best of ways. Our goal is not only to provide nutritious meals but also to create a sense of connection and belonging.
Matthew Glasser CDM
Hospitality Director/Corporate Chef
