The impact on the dining environment in promoting person centred delivery of food and drink for residents in long term care.

Conference: Bournemouth University Post Graduate Conference

Dates: 8 March 2017

Abstract:

Under nutrition and insufficient fluid intake can lead to complex health problems, increased health and social care costs and reduced quality of life for older people living in residential care. This study aims to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the extensive meal experience and how to promote person centred delivery of food and drink for residents in long term care.

The aim was addressed using a convergent parallel mixed method design. Semi structured interviews, observations and a quantitative questionnaire were used to capture the range of involvement and experiences of food and drink delivery from both the resident and care staff perspective. This presentation will focus on a couple of the significant findings from this research. The importance of social environment and how to make the communal dining setting attractive to residents will be discussed including the themes of homeliness, socialisation and enabling carers to be supportive.

Source: Manual