As we serve our residents in each of our 12 Oaks communities, we recognize the importance of providing a dining experience that provides the essentials of nutrition while offering a menu residents enjoy. To create a clear picture of how we take the dining experience to the next level, we spoke with Travis Wick, Regional Vice President, Operations, to discuss the practical steps we are taking to provide an excellent dining experience for every resident. Travis began his career with 12 Oaks as a Dining Director at Prestonwood Court and went on to fill a variety of roles throughout the 12 Oaks portofolio in leadership and dining-related roles. With a degree in Culinary Arts and a variety of certifications, Travis brings an informed perspective on the subject of dining in senior living. Follow as we discuss custom dining options and our approach to the trends and challenges of dining.
Custom Dining Options for Residents
A current trend within senior living is the desire for a luxury feel, which means the dining experience in our communities will have to follow suit. To help increase the quality of dining for our residents, we focus on keeping customization and variety as one of the pillars of our approach.
Creating Custom Menus
Standard practice within our industry is to have menus developed by a third party. However, we put the menu in the hands of our communities. Our food service directors will collaborate with residents to develop a menu that they will enjoy. Dining is an activity our residents participate in 3 times a day; therefore, it is crucial to resident retention and quality of life that we make dining an activity they enjoy.
Meeting Dietary Needs
Not only do we prioritize offering meals that residents enjoy, we also work with residents to accommodate different dietary restrictions. To ensure every need is met, we work with vendors to rework recipes with the proper ingredients to work within the menu. In our communities a special diet doesn’t mean a separate menu, but rather we will customize the meals residents want to meet their needs.
Alternate Menus
Even with our customized menus, we still encourage communities to keep an alternate menu on standby. We understand that taste can change, and residents may not want what’s on the menu on any given day. Residents shouldn’t have to settle for their meal, so as a small act of consideration, we offer alternate items to help accommodate a change in preference.
Crafting Dining Environments in Senior Living
For many, dining extends beyond the food. We believe in not only crafting meals that residents love, but also dining experiences. As we already noted, this is an activity that residents partake in 3 times a day. This can easily become mundane and sterile without some variety. Through minor, intentional changes, our communities ensure our dining experience feels fresh and exciting.
Intentional Environments
Something as small as adding a tablecloth between breakfast and dinner can help create a new atmosphere that helps residents not feel like they are walking into the same dining room every single meal. This works in tandem with special events where we decorate depending on the current holiday. We will even decorate to match different restaurant settings to help residents feel like they’ve stepped out of their community and into their favorite restaurant.
Variety in Dinnerware
Even simple adjustments to the table setting itself can help create a new atmosphere for each meal. Switching to a square plate versus a circle can create a fancier table aesthetic. Changes like these can work in tandem to the addition of different lighting, such as candle light, to add extra layers to the dining atmosphere. These different options serve as tools that our communities can utilize to always work to add excellence and variety to the day to day experience for our residents.
Future Trends and Challenges in Senior Living Dining
While we work on improving dining for our residents everyday, we look at the current/future trends and challenges within dining. We expect to see a broader range of menu options becoming commonplace. Foods that were not commonly found on senior living menus five or ten years ago, such as Asian and Mediterranean dishes, are now gaining popularity. Regardless of what the demand will be in the coming years, our mission to remain flexible will stay the same. Our mission is people-centric; therefore,
The Financial Challenges of Enhanced Dining
One of the challenges that come with expanding and enhancing dining options in senior living communities is managing food costs. Over the past few years, food costs have risen, which poses a significant challenge for budget allocation in our communities. To continue offering high-quality, diverse dining options, we recognize the importance of proper budget allocation. Residents are used to better cuts of meat, fresh seafood like salmon, and other gourmet items, which are essential to maintaining a high standard of living and resident satisfaction.
Looking Ahead
In the coming years, we are excited to observe how we can navigate these financial challenges while meeting the evolving dining preferences of our residents. The push towards more varied and higher-quality food options reflects a broader trend in senior living: adapting to the changing tastes and expectations of a new generation of seniors. This evolution in dining is just one aspect of the dynamic changes shaping the future of senior living communities. However, our expert team is ready to adapt and continue to offer the care that our residents deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how 12 Oaks is taking senior living to the next level.