Dining with Dignity: Food Matters in Long-Term Care

Good food is something we all look forward to, something that tastes good, nourishes us, connects us to culture and community, and that we enjoy sharing with friends and family. That doesn’t change when someone moves into a long term care facility. In fact, food often matters more to people living in long-term care. At its best, food supports nutrition and health, triggers positive memories, and provides moments of comfort and connection. However, we know this isn't always the case. In fact, poor food is often one of the top complaints that residents share with Ombudsmen representatives and family members. When Consumer Voice conducted a survey of over 450 residents last year, two thirds of respondents said that their food usually doesn't look or smell appealing. In this episode, we’re joined by Vanessa Emm, the Operations Director for the National Association of Activities Professionals (NAAP) who has worked in the long-term care field for over 20 years. We are also joined by Summer Nancollas, a Culinary Director at a Senior Living Community in Nevada. Join us as we talk about why food plays such a central role in residents’ well being, what gets in the way of good meals in long term care, and the best practices that facilities can use to create dining experiences that truly honor residents’ needs, preferences, and dignity.