Making Making Mealtimes Mealtimes

Steve ReynoldsNAPA Chair November 2012

NNational ational AAssociation for ssociation for PProviders of roviders of

AActivities (for Older People)ctivities (for Older People)

• Activity is at the heart of care for older Activity is at the heart of care for older peoplepeople • Information, training, support, Information, training, support, campaigningcampaigning • Come to TeaCome to Tea • Food Glorious Food Food Glorious Food

Everything that happens, and the person experiences,

from the beginning of the day to the end

WHAT IS AN ACTIVITY ??

WHAT IS

FUN ???

A meaningful activity, engagement, interest

and pleasure

Meals – a key activityMeals – a key activity

• Structure for the day

• Pleasure and necessity

• Health and wellbeing

• Community event

• Universal AND individual experience

• A bad meal messes up your day and week

It’s all about the senses

“The individual’s evaluation of food, before it

is eaten, is a crucial stage, not only for making nutritional choices, but for

impacting the entire eating experience.” Nestlé Research Centre

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As well as ...Room, table, menus, flowers, coloured linen, napkins, place mats, condiments, food presentation

How about .... something to look at/discuss, pea pods, furry dice, driftwood, post cards,wall pictures

SIGHTSIGHT

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SMELLSMELL

Stimulation, encouragement anticipation and pleasure

How about ... Kitchen door open, cook in dining room coffee percolator, cakes and bread, synthetic smells (myode.org), check staff

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SOUNSOUNDD Create right atmosphere, conducive to dining

How about ..... Not having announcements, but music at start & finish, privacy, noisy food, staff chat

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TOUCTOUCHH As well as ... Texture & temperature, self service of veg, bread & condiments, finger foods

How about .... Buying and growing, cooking, mixing, shelling, peeling, laying & clearing tables, “work-out food”

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TASTETASTE

As well as .... As per menu, chef-tasted, seasoned, etc

How about ... Temperature, new tastes, variations, resident recipes, preferences, feedback

It tastes as expected &It tastes as expected &described or better!described or better!

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THOUGTHOUGHTHT

As well as ....The importance of anticipation, meeting expectations, learning about people’s experiences and memories

Dining is a mental and emotional experience

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Menu

Tuesday March 7th

Chicken and chips

Menu

Tuesday March 7th

Chicken and chips

Menu

Tuesday March 7th

Pan-fried free range chicken, crispy french fries and fresh buttered

garden peas

Menu

Tuesday March 7th

Pan-fried free range chicken, crispy french fries and fresh buttered

garden peas

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THOUGTHOUGHTHTHow about .....

Protected time, sittings, screened areas, themed meals, tasters, comfort foods, tea parties, guests, displays & buffets, themed meals, before and after

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Nutrition for the older Nutrition for the older personperson

Naaah!

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Here come the naysayersHere come the naysayers“One who frequently engages in excessive complaining, negative banter and/or a generally poor

and downbeat attitude”.

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Health and safetyResidents don’t like changeWe don’t have the staffOur dining room’s too smallMust have medication with mealOur chef won’t like itWe tried that beforeIt costs too much