Experiential dining elevates adult/senior living

It’s not only a trend in restaurants. In foodservice settings in adult care and senior living facilities, experiential dining is on the rise, according to a report from Foodservice Director. What’s more, it may have an even greater positive impact in these settings than it does elsewhere. Offering a more interactive, social experience around food can address loneliness, build social connections and improve cognition.
Opportunities for communal eating can help strengthen social bonds and trust, according to Dr. Robin Dunbar, an evolutionary psychologist. Hosting communal meals – or even themed dining nights that stimulate nostalgia and discussion – can increase appetite and nutrition in seniors, as well as help people make stronger connections with others at a time when they may feel isolated.
Eating is already a multisensory experience, but weaving action into it can elevate that experience, while enhancing memory and cognitive flexibility. So, offering a cooking class or chef-led tasting, or hosting a session of a book discussion with food inspired by the book, can all help. It boosts overall guest satisfaction too. Dr. Charles Spence, an experimental psychologist, said he conducted research that found that when people were asked to sample and rate the taste of oysters, those who ate with the added background sound of waves crashing on the beach reported higher satisfaction with their meal. What small changes could you make to how you serve food – or where you serve it – that can boost your experience factor?