What's new in long-term care dining?

A number of long-term care facilities in North Carolina have adopted ways to improve the dining experience for long-term care residents. Wall murals and dining room themes help to create a pleasant atmosphere that also might stimulate resident imagination. Aroma therapies are also positive stimulants that increase the appetite and pleasure in eating. Flavor and food presentation are probably some of the most obvious modifications. We can all understand the desire to have our food taste and look good. There are probably even more ideas that could make eating in a nursing home more pleasant and home-like. Efforts Like these are critical to stemming weight loss among residents and also to maintaining resident independence to the extent possible. We hope more facilities across the state will use and build on these ideas as they try to maximize their residents' quality of life.