Making Meals Memorable: Staff Responsibilities

Each department has responsibilities to make meal service memorable. Here are examples of what some of these responsibilities might involve.

The environmental department needs to ensure that the kitchen equipment operates properly so that meals can be prepared. It also needs to make sure that dining room furniture is in good repair. The dining needs to be kept clean. Tablecloths and/or napkins need to be laundered (or sent out for laundering).

Activities (or life enrichment) can do many things to make meals special. Activities during meal time makes the wait time seem shorter and the meal more enjoyable. This can be music or other entertainment. Activities can also assist with decorating, centerpieces, menu selection, and escorting.

Social services can assist residents in adjusting to the dining environment and informing them of options they have. Assistance with menu selection and escorting is also possible.

Nursing services, of course, has an extremely important role to play with escorting, assistance with eating, serving, and following-up with residents after the meal.

Dining services prepares food, sets tables, takes menu selection, serves food and beverages, assists with follow-up, and clears tables.

All department managers should also play a role in meal service. Each one is responsible for ensuring that his/her staff is performing the required responsibilities during meal service. Many facilities also have managers take turns acting as a host or hostess for meals. In this role they greet residents, assist with serving food and beverages, and ensure smooth meal operation.

Each facility is different, and these are just examples. The important thing to remember is that everyone must work together to make meals memorable for the residents.

What suggestions do you have for department responsibilities?