Give the gift of dignified dining this Christmas

Food evokes feelings. The smell of a tender turkey, sprigs of thyme, rosemary and garlic pull our minds back to thoughts of family, lost loved ones and past times prominent in our hearts. The opportunity to reminisce is a gift made even more special when accompanied by delicious dining.

Creating an exceptional experience for the residents in your care isn’t impossible, even when very specific needs have to be considered. We worked with specialist Jo Bonfer, a mealtime consultant with a passion for making memorable meals for elderly people with dysphagia needs.

Safe yet satisfying

Getting enough of the nutrients needed as you get older is even harder when you have extra requirements to help you eat.

The key to making a memorable meal that is safe yet visually appealing is to plan and present the meal with thought.

Naturally, working in care doesn’t allow for a lot of time to practise and perfect your moulding technique but if you manage to carve out time to test your Turkey, it could make a big difference to how that food is received and eaten, as well as resident and relative satisfaction levels.

Essential Cuisine have created this really helpful step-by-step video that shows you how to make and present the perfect Christmas Dinner.

Plan

Not all people with dysphagia needs have dementia but it’s important to bear in mind that those experiencing memory loss may also feel overwhelmed or disorientated by a new or busy setting.

Familiarity feels comforting to some people, so while some residents may love a beautifully decorated table with festive songs, others may prefer the opportunity to focus on their food in a quiet environment.

You’ll know what’s best for the people in your care, so remember to communicate your dysphagia mealtime management plan and the needs of individuals with the wider team to ensure Christmas lunch is enjoyable for everyone.

Your ingredients and food moulds will also need to be planned ahead of time. It’s also a good idea to check you have the appropriate cutlery and cupware for individual needs (for example you may need Amefa cutlery or two handled cups).

Present

Presenting the food to look authentic and as close to its original form is essential.

We eat with our eyes and when food looks bland or unnatural, it’s instinctual to not want to eat it. It can be frustrating when someone you’re caring for doesn’t eat but ask yourself, would you want to eat it?

Choosing the right plates is also crucial if you want the person you’re serving Christmas dinner to really enjoy their meal.

When food is a similar colour to the plate, like cauliflower served on a white plate, the meal can seem less enticing. However, a red plate, for example, with white potatoes can look visually appealing because the potatoes stand out.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

With so much to do on every other day of the year, it’s easy to forget little touches that can make Christmas day feel so magical for you, your staff and of course, your residents. A good day can bring hope and happiness for everyone.

Our final tips:

• Season food well because food loses flavour when blended (always check for food intolerances before seasoning food i.e. rosemary, garlic, thyme and onion).
• Ask your residents what their favourite Christmas songs are rather than the staff choosing the playlist or radio station.
• Play music softly in the background rather than loudly because this can be startling and distracting.
• Send Christmas cards (or invitations to Christmas dinner) to make everyone feel included.
• Ask your team to wear festive outfits

Choice Dining Accreditation

Share more information about the cuisine, service and hygiene you and your team provide on your Autumna profile. If you and your team are committed to delivering exceptional dining experiences, you could be eligible for a Choice Dining accreditation, which will be visible on your profile.

Food options are really important to people searching for care, especially if they have dietary requirements, religious considerations or they want to know if their family can visit to have meals with them.

Upgrade your profile to a premium page for a greater chance of being seen by people visiting our website. A premium page allows you to add more content to showcase your services, such as videos, pictures and detailed staff profiles. We’ve made it easy to upgrade and edit your profile but we’re also on hand to do it for you if you’d prefer.

If you would like to know more about Choice Dining, then please email kate.awcock@autumna.co.uk or call her on 01892 335 330.