DINING The dementia dining
environment: making mealtimes a marker of high-quality care
Joint research from Care England and apetito revealed a shift in expectations of the role of mealtimes towards a priority aspect of care planning. James Leigh explains how providers are embracing the change, and seeing a positive impact on wellbeing for residents.
Mealtimes are increasingly recognised as a central aspect of high-quality care, with a collaborative research report between apetito and Care England suggesting a shift in expectations. They’re no longer viewed as solely a catering function, but a priority component of care planning. While this aligns with CQC’s ‘well-led’ and ‘responsive’ domains and ‘Regulation 14’ of the Health and Social Care Act, the research also found a lack of best-practice training for staff caring for those with dementia, raising questions about compliance and whether services are fully meeting the needs of residents requiring specialist care.
Why mealtimes matter With 95 per cent of care homes surveyed saying mealtimes are the most important part of a resident’s day, and 96 per cent believing the dining experience significantly influences enjoyment, it’s clear that mealtimes should be high on care teams’ agendas. In fact, 80 per cent believe the dining experience is pivotal for families choosing a home for a loved one, suggesting that mealtimes are also becoming an important competitive differentiator for providers when attracting prospective residents and their families. Mealtimes can provide structure to a resident’s
day and create opportunities for social interaction, which is particularly important for supporting
quality of life and wellbeing. In fact, 90 per cent of those surveyed said mealtimes are when residents socialise most. Beyond nutritional intake, dining experiences offer occasions for residents to maintain routine, express preferences, and engage with others. They also provide opportunities for care teams to recognise changes in appetite or eating habits early. Furthermore, mealtimes can promote dignity, independence, and overall wellbeing, making them an important indicator of high-quality care.
Beyond the plate Beyond the food being served, it’s the physical dining environment that also contributes to
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