A "Fine Dining" Experience

Sharing a meal with friends and family, eating fine food in a relaxed atmosphere and engaging in conversations with others is among one of the most enjoyable experiences in many people's lives. Going out with friends and sharing a meal, eating at home with family, or planning that celebratory dinner when a birthday occurs is familiar to all of us. When living in residential aged care, this sharing a special meal with others can seem like a thing of the past. The Whiddon Group Redhead has created the opportunity for memorable dining occasions for their clients, through implementation of the Fine Dining Program.

The objectives of the Fine Dining Program are to;

• Create a range of dining environments and experiences, full table service and an opportunity for intimate group conversation and socialisation for clients.
• Create a sense of celebration and a memorable occasion for each individual involved.
• Provide an opportunity for staff, guests and clients to interact in a different way using the fine dining program as a vehicle for interaction.
• Encourage ongoing enjoyment of a meal as a social experience and not just for nutritional benefit.

The average age of clients at The Whiddon Group Redhead is 85 years. They are of the generation that enjoys good meal etiquette, which includes properly set tables, appropriate cutlery, table decorations, elegantly prepared meals, morning tea and afternoon tea in an environment that encourages socialisation.

In response to client comments at one of their meetings in relation to the meal service, changes were made. From the positive feedback these changes received, the inspiration for the Fine Dining Program was born. At their next client meeting the idea was discussed with the majority embracing the idea.

Discussions were held with key staff from all departments to form an initial program outline and plan a trial of the initial Fine Dining program, incorporating a monthly luncheon. The atmosphere of the meal was to convey a special occasion, and was to be different from a routine meal in the dining room. The aspect of the room used for Fine Dining was to have a very pleasing vista - sea views in this case. The program catered to small groups of clients to keep the experience personalised, but all clients needed to have access to the program. Use of birthday months to choose groups of clients meant that everyone had an opportunity to attend, but the group was kept small. It also meant that added emphasis was given to celebration of the birthday,albeit not necessarily on the actual day. Input from the community was sought in the form of a guest speaker to address the participants. The physical environment of the room and of the actual table (settings and decorations) was vital to the fine dining experience so special crockery, glassware, cutlery and other decorations was purchased.

On arrival, clients are served drinks in a lounge area with invited guests. Participants are presented with the image of a very elegant dining area, tables set with fine china and cutlery, cloth napkins, crystal glasses and fresh flowers. They are then seated to enjoy full table service which consists of a three course meal. A special guest is invited from the community to give an after dinner speech. Staff provided table
service with the Director or Deputy Director of Care Services acting as the host for the meal. Menus are also printed for each of the guests so they can keep them as mementos.

The trial for the "Fine Dining" experience was conducted in December 2008 with a Christmas dinner and the event was hailed a huge success by staff, clients, guests and volunteers. Following further evaluation with involvement of all stakeholders, the Fine Dining Program has been a regular event on the Leisure and Lifestyle Calendar since February 2009.

Anyone who has attended one of these "Fine Dining" experiences has been greatly impressed and the conversations with the clients have flowed, reminiscing and keeping them informed of local news and events.

For the past two years a separate private table has been set in an alcove
for a husband and wife. This privacy and intimacy has delighted them and has demonstrated that it is possible to provide an intimate dining experience for couples in a residential care setting. The program is flexible - a client was unwell and confined to her room and she thought she would miss out on her dinner date. A portable table was set using the Fine Dining tableware, including crockery, cutlery and crystal glasses and she was delivered a very elegant meal for one.

One very positive outcome from this project has been that clients have socialised and remained in the Sea Change Restaurant much longer than they would have in the communal dining rooms. Clients stated that it was because they were enjoying themselves, in a more conducive, relaxed, and social atmosphere.

Comments received include:-

• Good food, good company, good wine - thank-you
• Would love it to last all day
• Can't wait for another year
• Many, many thanks for a lovely day

The confidence that staff have gained throughout this rewarding experience has
encouraged them to look for other means of increasing the client's pleasure. The Whiddon Group Redhead is now providing formal High Tea for clients, where freshly brewed tea and coffee is served with accompanying finely cut sandwiches and delicate cakes. Country Breakfasts are also 'on the menu' where each week a different wing of the home is treated to a full service breakfast in the wing lounge overlooking the beach. The clients have expressed their delight in these more intimate approaches to service, the taste of the food and the appearance of the settings. This innovative project began with the clients requesting a more dignified meal service and through the process of staff education and consulting with clients, staff and others the idea for a Fine Dining program was born. This project contributes to a positive client lifestyle experience, by encouraging enjoyment through socialisation and celebration, and by providing individuals with the opportunity to claim the experience of a meal as more than just a means of maintaining nutrition. The Fine Dining Program has become a celebration and a definite 'mark it on your calendar event' at The Whiddon Group Redhead.

Sidebar Graphs

The graphs below clearly show that the improvements have had a significant effect on the clients' satisfaction, when it comes to the area of food. The first graph shows a comparison of the results taken from the Clients Satisfaction Survey between 2011 and 2012.


The second graph gives an industry comparison of the overall results in the Resident Satisfaction Survey. Redhead is seen clearly as achieving 91.96%, which is much higher than the industry average.