Creating TIME (The Intimate Meal Experience)

At Mountainside Residential Care Center's resident council, residents requested an improved dining atmosphere because noise and frequent distractions caused heightened anxiety and agitation. Residents, family, and staff were actively involved in every step of the program design. The Creating TIME program has three goals: to improve resident, family, and staff satisfaction; reduce challenging resident behaviors during meals; and improve overall oral intake. These goals are aimed at improving quality of life and minimizing adverse events for this elderly population. Since the program's inception in July 2010, there has been a 14 percent reduction in resident behavior incidents during meal time, which has enhanced the intimate meal experience resident satisfaction.