Life has changed drastically since COVID-19 swept the world we knew to one side. We found ourselves unable to maintain the most basic human connections that we depend on, from greeting our colleagues to spending time with loved ones in the same room. Although it was not regarded as a primary concern amidst the panic and chaos of lockdowns and aged care catering issues, the lack of socialisation hit aged care and its residents incredibly hard too.
One of the social centrepieces in residential aged care is the sense of shared community built within the dining hall. Meals in aged care homes are typically delivered in group settings, providing an ideal opportunity for residents to gather, discuss the events of the day, and share stories about family members and loved ones. Aged care residents already run the risk of feeling isolated from the rest of society at the best of times and this group dining experience is vital to maintaining the physical and psychological wellbeing of the residents.
Unfortunately, it’s all too easy for these important social experiences to be thrown into disarray. Many aged care facilities need to be careful orchestrating larger social events or expeditions as residents may be easily overwhelmed or placed at risk of illness or injury due to their failing health. Without a major, central source of social interaction, aged care homes risk seeing their rates of senior depression and other mental health issues seriously spike as residents are left alone without outside social stimulation (Brydon et al, 2022). In some ways, the industry wasn’t yet aware of the incredible importance of this shared social time prior to the pandemic – but now that we do, ensuring a positive dining room experience should always be at the heart of a catering service.
As a uniquely resident-focused aged care catering provider, Cater Care places a great deal of emphasis on the importance of the dining experience. Boredom is one of the silent killers in the twilight years, and providing aged care residents with a true sense of agency and ample opportunity for enrichment is incredibly important for maintaining their mental and physical wellbeing (Parkinson et al, 2020). Cater Care’s Residential Theme Program aims to address these issues by breaking up the day-to-day routine through bringing exciting sights, sounds, and flavours to the lives of our residents. With little more than an event menu, a fresh set of decorations, and a little elbow grease from the Cater Care team, we can help transform your aged care facility in rural NSW into a bure on the beaches of Fiji or a glamorous 1920’s party sprung straight from the pages of the Great Gatsby.
Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of aged care providers to ensure that their residents have all the enrichment and experiences they need to lead long, happy, and fulfilling lives. The atmosphere and social environment of the dining hall is an incredibly important part of this enrichment, and it cannot afford to be overlooked when making retirement catering decisions for your home. In turn, your aged care catering provider should carefully design the dining experience to ensure that it’s exciting, engaging and actively betters the lives of your residents – and if in-house retirement catering solutions are struggling to do so, don’t hesitate to get an outside expert opinion.
Maintaining a sense of connection and community is vital for aged care residents, and quality food with a positive mealtime experience can be just the glue needed to bring people together. If you’re interested in learning more about leveraging your catering solution to benefit your residents, you can grab your copy of our latest eBook HERE.
Jonathan Storer
Client Development Manager – Cater Care
Ph: 0424 190 566
jonathan.storer@catercare.com.au
