Page 54 - Life Happens in the Kitchen

Page 48
STAGE FOUR: HOUSEHOLD
4. Continual Dining, cont’d
Around 11 a.m., the aroma of cooking eggs and bacon can be smelled throughout the house as brunch is being prepared for the elders, as they are ready to eat it. Each meal is made to order and consists of menu items found on the daily menu.
Some elders decide to take a nap in the afternoon while others may be looking for a snack to eat. An elder may come to the dining room for Tea at Two. Tea at Two is a time to enjoy a cup of coffee and a fresh snack that was made by the elders earlier in the day. This snack can vary day to day and oftentimes is made from one of the elder’s favorite recipes.
The Collin’s family gathers around the table in the early evening to enjoy a hearty meal prepared by the chefs from the main kitchen. Each elder has many choices to choose from at this meal. This is the largest meal of the day and all elders are encouraged to come to this meal. If the elder does not like what is on the menu, she can go to the refrigerator to see if any of the leftovers appeal to her.
As the sun sets in the evening, the elder can search through the refrigerator and kitchen cupboards for a snack to comfort her for the night. The aroma of fresh soup simmering in the crock pot or a simple grilled cheese sandwich can be smelled throughout the house.
Meals are provided to the elders continuously throughout the day. Some meals are prepared according to the daily specials while others are cooked to order. The self-led work teams develop the daily special menus with the assistance from the Nutrition Mentor and Food Service Mentor. Each elder determines the serving size she wants for the meal. If the elder does not have a preference, the nutritional sheets provide appropriate portions.
Porch Swing SeriesTM Culture Change Workbooks ©2004-2005 Action Pact, Inc