Hi Erik,

Just wanted to offer you one quick story:

At the Eden Alternative-style assisted living I worked at for almost two years they had hired trained chefs to cook for the elders. Unfortunately, these were generally trained chefs with no special awareness/training in older persons' dietary requirements. As a result, one younger chef prepared a lot of red meat and spicy foods (popular in many restaurants) which the residents had trouble digesting...and resisted changing because her fancy chef ego couldn't stand to! also, she continued serving grapefruit juice and green leafy vegetables despite their negative interactions with two resident's medications.

Since the owners were not experienced in elder care prior to setting up this facility, they did nothing to change the situation, despite many complaints by the residents themselves.

Have you seen the Bill Thomas website and NPR special posted last year? There are some interesting references to the importance of central dining...around one large table.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4713566

Bon Apetite!

~Charlie

Eric - Happy New Year!  I serve nine Northeast Texas Counties as the Regional Ombudsman these past ten years.  There are a couple of really successful dining transformations in my region, both in rural counties and both in Nursing Facilities.  One facility instituted family dining in their 'sitting rooms' transformed for dining at lunch and supper mealtimes.  The elders just love it and help to serve eachother as you would at home.  The table is set before hand by staff, but I know of a few times that it has been set by the elders themselves - utilizing some of their own serving pieces!  The other facility has a 'waffle bar' for those who prefer to sleep in - in the morning.  The waffle bar has transformed the pace of the facility in the mornings, it's not as hectic and the staff has benefitted as they have more time and don't have to 'rush' to accomplish duties by breakfast time.  The citizens really like the new soup and salad bar as well.  This same facility offers chef or some other salad with or as lunch or supper - as well as homemade soups.  These small 'transformations' have made a huge impact.  I look forward to reading more from you on this topic. - Patrice