{"id":981,"date":"2020-10-01T20:45:47","date_gmt":"2020-10-01T20:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hpsnf.com\/?p=981"},"modified":"2020-11-06T20:59:49","modified_gmt":"2020-11-06T20:59:49","slug":"supportive-dining-a-fresh-approach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hpsnf.com\/supportive-dining-a-fresh-approach\/","title":{"rendered":"Supportive Dining: A Fresh Approach"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\nFor people living with dementia, dining can serve up a host of challenges. Many memory care residents in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and other senior living communities 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIndustry-leading senior care communities, including Heritage Plaza Nursing Center<\/strong>, are finding new ways to reduce stress and deliver a safe, enjoyable, and nutritious experience for residents living with dementia.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Preserving identity and choice<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSupportive dining is, first, about providing healthy meals and, second, about safeguarding a sense of self,\u201d says Antoinette Holford, a registered dietitian and StoneGate\u2019s education and training manager. \u201cA predictable dining experience helps residents feel in control and stay connected to who they are at the core.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\u201cWe assess each resident\u2019s stage in the dementia journey and build dining services around their individual needs.\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0\u2014\u00a0 <\/em>Antoinette Holford, StoneGate Registered Dietitian<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cWe make every effort to create and maintain a familiar routine. For senior care residents living with dementia \u2013 whether in a nursing home, SNF, assisted living, or rehabilitation center \u2013 regular mealtimes provide consistency, and that\u2019s important to their dining success. If the routine is altered, confusion can set in, affecting their mood for hours.\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nExtra care is taken to make each meal flavorful and visually appealing. Heart-healthy selections use herbs and spices as primary seasonings. Nutritious, eye-pleasing pureed foods are prepared for those with swallowing challenges. Residents in senior living communities who are living with dementia may also experience changes in depth perception. Colors, once vivid, may eventually appear as shades of grey. \u201cWe use bold, solid-colored dishware. High contrast makes it easier to distinguish food items and beverages from the containers that hold them.\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nProviding ample choice is essential and Heritage Plaza Nursing Center<\/strong>\u00a0offers a variety of meal options. Printed menus are available for those who can read. For those who no longer have the ability to read, plates of food are displayed for resident selection. Along with regular mealtimes in the dining room, room service is available at any time.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Personalizing the experience<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nKey to successful supportive dining is a person-centered approach. \u201cWe assess each resident\u2019s stage in the dementia journey and build dining services around their individual needs,\u201d Holford says.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\u201cFood aromas, sights, and sounds evoke memories that are hidden away in the brain….Food can be a mood changer, in the best of ways”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor 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.\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFamilies are closely involved in food decisions. Staff explore with family members their loved one\u2019s dining history. What was their mealtime routine? What type of food do they delight in?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHolford tells the story of a resident who enjoyed fast food. Day after day, his family brought him a hamburger and French fries. When the family took an extended vacation, the nutrition services manager noticed the resident stopped eating. \u201cShe asked area fast-food restaurants for some take-out containers with their logo. Each night, the staff prepared his meal and served it to him in a takeout box. His routine was restored, and his interest in eating returned!\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Promoting staff skills<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe best supportive dining service in senior care communities hinges on carefully trained frontline staff. \u201cThese are the ones who sit with residents while they eat,\u201d Holford says. \u201cThey\u2019re 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 \u2013 and can recommend new approaches to food and ambiance.\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHolford provides training updates to caregiver teams, focusing on such topics as food presentation, mealtime atmosphere, and behavior management. \u201cIt\u2019s important for staff to observe resident behavior closely, because foods once customary can readily change as the resident\u2019s 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 \u2013 pork, for example \u2013 may suddenly be reaching for the ham and bacon. Previous boundaries have blurred.\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Providing the right environment<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cWe like to mimic the family table and set the stage for interaction,\u201d Holford says. For example, a bowl of salad and a basket of bread are put on the table to pass around family style. \u201cSometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn\u2019t. Something that happened four or five hours or maybe even a day earlier may affect the resident\u2019s mood and response to meal participation, though they may not be able to define it. We strive to respond to changing behaviors with patience, flexibility, and encouragement.\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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“Mealtime is typically a social event. Our goal is not only to provide nutritious meals but also to create a sense of connection and belonging.”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEvery effort is made to create a calm and relaxing experience. Diners are typically seated at tables of four to six. \u201cThey can sit wherever they like, but often choose the same seat and table. Sitting in the same place enables residents to have control,\u201d Holford explains. \u201cThey\u2019re in their spot, and they entirely own it. We also use square edges as opposed to round, because square lines clearly define space.\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMealtime is typically a social event.\u00a0\u201cIf the resident can\u2019t 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.\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Resources:<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n