Relationship-Centered Mealtime Training Program Demonstrates Efficacy to Improve the Dining Environment in Long-Term...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Mealtimes in residential care are often task-focused, negatively impacting resident quality of life.
• The CHOICE+ program utilizes participatory methods to foster relationship-centered mealtimes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a 12-month externally facilitated CHOICE+ program implementation.
• To improve the overall mealtime environment in residential care settings.

Main Methods:

• A modified stepped-wedge time series design was employed across three residential homes over 20 months.
• Trained assessors used Mealtime Scan+ to evaluate physical, social, and relationship-centered practices during mealtimes.
• Pre- and postintervention questionnaires assessed staff and resident/family experiences.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in physical and social mealtime environments, relationship-centered care, and overall dining quality (P < .001).
• Site-specific variations in implementation impact were noted for physical and relationship-centered care.
• No significant changes were found in staff or resident/family questionnaire responses.

Conclusions:

• The externally facilitated CHOICE+ model effectively enhanced the mealtime environment in residential care.
• Despite contextual challenges, the program demonstrates potential for improving dining experiences.
• Further research is recommended to assess the impact on resident quality of life using specific measures.