5 Proven Keys to Make Dining the Highlight Of The Day

Today's senior knows that eating is one of life’s greatest pleasures and clearly is looking for excellence in dining. Dining is an integral part of daily socialization and is to be something to look forward to and enjoyed in any given setting. We as providers know we have to be on the cutting edge with our dining programs. Trends in food service are rapidly changing. We have to provide more than just good food. You can increase resident satisfaction in dining services by addressing the needs of the multigenerational senior. Today's market includes dealing with the sandwich generation, resident, family and those involved with the resident. Be able to exceed the expectations of the new senior and the families too. Dining is a social event and a resident’s nutritional well-being is greatly enhanced by including not just the taste of the food but the appearance, variety, atmosphere or esthetics and the attitude of the resident in regard to meals. Studies have been done on the link of the dining experience and nutrition. Nutritional status can be improved by following proven steps in enhancing your meal service. Learn valuable options you can incorporate into your system. Assess the attitude between departments involved in meal service. Attitude determines the success of any dining program.

Nursing and dietary should be able to work together like ''peas and carrots'' Eliminate the battles between departments. Make meal service less painful for your facility and be the highlight of your resident’s day. Develop proven systems for departments to work together successfully to have excellence in dining programs. See dining through the consumer or the resident’s eyes. The baby boomers have had an abundance of choices on where to eat and the array of food flavors and ethnic foods available. The baby boomers are coming? Are your ready to meet the expectations of the ''new senior'' and is your dining program ready for them?

Teaching Method

Lecture, Power Point, Handouts, group activities, Q & A

BIO

Donna Manning is a Dietetic Technician Registered with the American Dietetic Association, member of the National Speakers Association and has an extensive background in food service programs, long-term care, hospitals, community aging services and retirement communities and motivational speaking. She has worked extensively with the Coalition on Aging, Area Agency on Aging, Retirement Villages, Senior Centers, Nursing Homes and other aging service. Areas of expertise include ages of aging, management, leadership skills, consulting, nutrition, food service, sanitation, motivation and team building. Donna has a degree in nutrition and has worked as Director of Dining Services and Clinical Nutrition in nursing homes and hospitals. Her reputation for being able to have a deficiency free survey allowed her to consult other facilities in reaching their deficiency free goals. Dining with dignity and excellence is one of her specialties.

Donna has been working with Senior Services for over fifteen years developing programs for service providers, outreach programs, staff training for aging services and motivational sessions for administration, teams and client. She is an appointed member of Monona Senior Commission. Donna has worked her entire career with the wiser/senior population.

CLIENT LIST

Northeast Dane Senior Services
Area Agency on Aging
Dane County Respite
Dane County Senior Centers
American Dietetic Association
Wisconsin Dietetic Association
Wisconsin Representative of Activity Professionals
Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation
International Association of Administrative Professionals
Wisconsin Society of Health and Food Service Administration
Wisconsin Certified Dietary Managers Association
American Family Corporate Headquarters, Madison WI
St Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield Wisconsin
Wisconsin Sports Development Corp, Lighten Up Wisconsin
Wisconsin Association of Career and Technical Professionals
Wisconsin Restaurant Association

back