10 Point Checklist: At the Assisted Living Dining Table

By Gregory Bator

GracefulAging.TV

Always have lunch or dinner when touring a prospective assisted living residence.  Keep your eyes, ears, nose and taste buds in full gear.  Begin your critical review with the table. Ask these ten questions:

1. Is there a clean tablecloth? A tablecloth is the landscape for the food painting.  Does it match the dish and the day?
2. When seated, what is the view? A good view promotes calm.  Looking at an attractive and interesting setting gives the time to chew and digest a meal.
3. How does food arrive at the table? Restaurants never roll food out unless it is a fresh select salad or a table prepared dish. Is food brought to the table in a way that makes me feel special?
4. What is the plate ware quality? A substantial clean white plate allows you to see the fresh colors of the food. Do the dishes match?
5. Is the silverware clean and attractive? Silverware needs to have a good feel.  When silverware touches the plate, do you hear a distinct ring or a tinny light sound? Fork tines must be straight and strong. Spoons cannot have marks of recent or past use.
6. Does the table include flowers or decorations that are attractive? Artificial additions send a wrong message. A table should show the care and attention to welcome each guest with a smile.
7. Is coffee served in comfortable cups? Real coffee deserves real cups with accessible handles. When full, a coffee cup should be easy to lift to desiring lips.
8. Is water present and refilled? Hydration is critical to good health. Is a water glass present, filled, and refilled with clean, cool water? A water glass needs to be within sight to be within mind.
9. What do you hear? Is there ambient noise? Is there music?  TV distracts me from engaging in conversation; so do hallway conversations, kitchen noise, clanging carts, and vacuums.  Is there pleasantly paced music that makes me tap my fingers or encourage cheerful thoughts?
10. Are there smiles and greetings shared by staff and residents? Wait staff is bringing a special meal to me. Do they show it through their greetings, smiles, and body language? Are your fellow guests engaged, smiling, and enjoying their dining experience?

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