While there’s no shame in dining on puréed foods, your patients are still entitled to a “safe and dignified dining experience,” and that means making them feel like everyone else even if their mealtime needs are different. So, how do you do it? Cynthia Vaughn, “chef de partie” at Edgemere, a senior living community based in Dallas, has found all the answers.
Her unique concept to essentially reconstruct the visual appearance of puréed foods has truly changed the game. By using molds, and her extensive experience as a pastry chef, she is able to recreate almost any meal for patients that look, smell, taste, and contain all the same nutrients as the real deal!
Why This Is Important For Your Patients?
Patients who are more satisfied with their meals are significantly more likely to consume everything they’ve been given and absorb the most nutrients possible, which can lead to greater energy and overall improved health. Additionally, patients who feel good about the foods they’re eating are going to be happier and comply with treatment more. Taking away something as normal to a person as solid food can be a huge adjustment. After all, food is love. It’s culture and tradition. It’s pure joy! Your patients deserve to enjoy it like everyone else to the best of your abilities as a care provider.
Simple Suggestions
Although more complex meals can definitely take more creativity (Vaughn’s chicken pot pie being just one impressive example), there are plenty of foods that can easily be recreated right inside your facility’s kitchen. Waffles and pancakes, for one, are easy to disassemble and reconstruct fairly quickly. For other meals, your staff can use molds or shape other puréed ingredients, like meats, potatoes, vegetables and more, by hand. While not all of your patients will need this much effort put into their meals, the difference it makes for patients impacted by dental issues, dysphagia, and other debilitating problems that challenge mealtimes is unparalleled.
Looking for more ways to improve communication between your patients and food service staff to ensure a gratifying care experience for all? Reach out to our software and technology experts at Vision Software today to inquire about our impressive suite of food service software applications. In addition to reducing food waste, boosting your HCAHPS scores, and saving you money, our technologies will save your staff more than enough time to get creative and improve the presentation of the puréed foods you’re serving!
If you need additional support, Vision Software and our array of impressively innovative food service software applications will always be here for you! Call 629.777.8989, or fill in the free consultation form in the sidebar, to learn more about how Vision Software can positively impact the lives of the patients and visitors you service every day.