What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about a partner?
Do you think about values like trust, commitment, dependability, and honesty? If so, you’re on the right track.
Partners are people we can count on, even when a situation is challenging. As we age, partnerships become even more important given the high rates of isolation and loneliness, even in long-term care communities (LTCCs).
Just like any good partnership, a food service provider should possess your community’s core values, such as reliability, and have an understanding of the unique needs of your community and its residents. Quality dining programs foster a sense of community and belonging among older adults in long-term care, combatting isolation by creating opportunities for social interaction and engagement.
That’s why choosing the right food service partner is a big deal. It’s way more than just getting meals delivered to residents’ rooms and following diet plans. Think of them as an extension of your own team, bringing their know-how and resources to the table. Their main goal should be working with you to create a dining program that residents will love and that keeps them healthy.
Does this sound like something your LTCC is missing? At Culinary Services Group, our sole mission is to help kitchen staff in long-term care thrive —something that starts by embracing our core values.
In this blog, we’ll explore why some LTCCs choose to outsource and what core values are important to look out for.
Why do long-term care communities outsource their dining programs?
You might hesitate to bring in outside dining providers for LTCCs, especially if you haven’t had much experience with it before. Seeking help and opening your kitchen to positive constructive criticism is a smart move for lots of reasons — mainly because serving up consistent, quality food day in and day out can be a complex operation. Community leaders often run into headaches that make bringing in outside help look like a great solution.
A primary concern is staffing, whether you’re dealing with the challenges of recruiting, training, or retaining competent dietary personnel. This can result in persistent understaffing, heavier workloads for current staff, and an increased risk of burnout. Moreover, the complexities of food procurement, creating menus that accommodate varied dietary requirements and restrictions, and adhering to food safety regulations necessitate specialized knowledge and resources that the community may not possess internally.
Financial pressures also contribute to this decision. Managing an in-house dining program entails substantial expenses for equipment, supplies, and labor. Outsourcing can potentially provide more reliable budgeting and cost efficiencies. Additionally, leadership may find it difficult to keep the dining experience interesting and satisfactory for residents, particularly with limited resources for innovation and adapting to changing preferences. By collaborating with a specialized food service provider, communities can lessen these burdens, enabling their leadership to concentrate on essential care services.
Finding the right partner is much easier when you know and live by your community’s values. That way, you’ll know who aligns with your mission without an extensive trial-and-error process.
3 Core Values to Look for When Selecting a Food Service Provider
Now, let’s look at three core values to keep in mind when selecting a food service provider.
1. Trust & Communication
Like making a home-cooked meal, dining program development should be intentional, thoughtful, and filled with love. Think: your mom’s homemade biscuits and gravy with sweet tea on a summer morning. Sounds perfect, right?
While perfection isn’t necessarily attainable, you can strive to find a food service provider whom you can trust to consistently give you the same feeling as your favorite childhood meal – a sense of warmth, comfort, and safety. Talking openly helps everyone work together better. When you can quickly chat about worries, change meals if needed, and keep up with what residents want, things run smoothly. If your food partner is upfront and honest about communicating necessary information for improvements and following safety protocols (i.e., F-Tags), it makes staff, residents, and families feel good, which makes for happier mealtimes.
2. Diversity & Community
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to creating a dining program that meets the needs of all residents. As the aging population becomes increasingly diverse, embracing cultural diversity and having culturally competent staff are more important now than ever.
Diversifying menus for seniors also helps build a sense of community among residents and staff. Staff who understand different cultures can do a better job of knowing what people like and their traditions, which in turn makes eating more enjoyable for residents. When food programs focus on bringing people together, it gives residents, their families, and staff chances to talk and spend time together. Sharing meals becomes more than just eating; it’s a time to connect and celebrate everyone’s different backgrounds.
3. Flexibility & Innovation
A food service partner that keeps you asking “what’s next?” isn’t always a bad thing. Instead of reacting to change, a strong food partner uses new ideas and technology to enhance the dining experience before chaos happens. By being preventative rather than reactive, you can start to change and adjust to what residents need and like to eat by trying new ways of cooking and using tools like apps for ordering food and giving feedback.
Outsourcing is a big task – let us help.
We shy away from calling places that provide seniors with long-term assistance “facilities,” instead focusing on embracing a community-focused mindset. You aren’t merely housing older adults as they get older; you and your staff are providing a home for those who need assistance the most.
And a food service provider should be just that, a partner that provides you with the skills and resources to create a dining program that is delicious and nutritious.
When you partner with Culinary Services Group, your community will be known for safe, quality kitchen service, intentional meal planning, and thorough dietary education for residents and their families.
Interested in learning more about our customizable food service management plans? Our sales team members are always ready to help you figure out what works best for your staff and residents. Schedule a consultation today.
