Enhancing the dining experience in long-term care: Dining with Dignity program

Nursing home residents nationwide are at nutritional risk as the result of physical, social and environmental factors. The Dining with Dignity program integrates long-term care residents, staff, community volunteers and occupational therapy students to improve residents' nutritional intake. Volunteers are trained to provide one-on-one assistance during meals and to promote a positive dining experience as organized by the theory of Social Support. Resident satisfaction with meals and improved nutritional status are important outcomes as is volunteer commitment to the program.