Every prospective resident has different requirements and expectations for senior living communities. Regardless of who you talk to, one thing stands for certain – everyone cares about dining services.
Unlike technological amenities, social groups, fitness and educational programs, every resident prioritizes dining. Diet is one of the most important aspects of a senior’s life, so your services need to be top-notch regardless of if you’re a boutique or high-end community.
For many seniors, their dining options are one of the few choices they can regularly make on their own. So, it’s necessary to optimize your community’s dining experience to increase residency.
Offer restaurant-style dining options
Restaurant-style dining is an ever-evolving trend in the industry. With higher demand for quality food, it’s no surprise that a restaurant-style approach is becoming standardized. For a well-traveled and worldly generation of seniors, dining needs to be competitive with restaurant cuisine.
Hiring managers can do this by pulling talent for the restaurant and hospitality industry. Many facilities have also started investing in the right kitchen equipment. Many communities are incorporating tools like charbroilers, combination ovens, meat grinders and pastry tools, to expand their made-from-scratch offerings.
Track food waste
A study from RecyclingWorks, a recycling assistance program for businesses and institutions in Massachusetts, found that the average assisted living community in the state produces around 286 pounds of food waste every day. This is terrible financially and it speaks volumes to how much-satisfied residents are with their dining options. Some ways to decrease how much food you’re tossing out is by creating a meal plan, putting out meals with the least amount of tracked waste, cooking fresh and local meals, and being creative with leftover batches.
Standardize budget
Similar to how a restaurant tracks its profit margins, providers should be aware of how much money is going to each plate, even if it’s buffet-style. The budget shouldn’t fluctuate month to month. Everything on the menu should be meticulously picked out based on demand and cost. For some communities, they do this by hitting narrow targets, ordering exactly as much food as they’re going to need in advance.
Basing the dining on the type of care
Not all communities are going to be the same, which is why it’s important to get resident feedback on these types of services. A memory care facility may include more finger-food options than an assisted living facility. The acuity of residents needs to be considered.
24-hour services
Freedom is what most people crave regardless of age. When you’re younger, it’s easier to make that late-night food runs. For seniors, that’s not always an option, especially when they have a time-frame in which they have to eat. Some providers have begun offering 24-hour services, like grab-and-go carts or late-night dining hours.
Need talent that will take your dining services to the next level? Reach out to us here.