Last updated on June 15th, 2023
Right now, more than 90% of nursing homes are understaffed. If yours is one of them, you’re probably focusing a lot of your efforts on recruiting. But, if you’re still understaffed after all of that effort, what do you do? Some healthcare communities today are turning to food service robots to pitch in.
Obviously, food service robots aren’t a replacement for human staff members. But, these robots can do certain tasks, like delivering food and bussing plates, so your staff members can focus on communicating and engaging with residents.
Serving Success at Springwell
Culinary Services Group recently partnered with Springwell Senior Living to test new ways to deliver meals and provide the best service possible while using food service robots. Springwell is currently piloting a food running robot in the dining room to free up staff so they can give more one-on-one personal attention to residents.
So how does it work? When the robot arrived at Springwell, a technician mapped the dining room and determined all of the locations the robot would need to go to. Then, with a touch of a button, the community’s staff can now tell the robot where to go and what to do. When the robot brings meals to a table, staff on the floor are there to place plates in front of residents and engage.
The robots use cameras and lasers to keep residents safe. As soon as it senses something in its path, it will immediately stop and change direction. The compact design is made especially to navigate crowded dining rooms and kitchens.
So far, the robots have been a hit among staff and residents. According to the food service director at Springwell, the robots are a big source of entertainment for diners. The residents have special names for the robots and look forward to seeing them at meal times. Staff members love it too. Having a food service robot to run back and forth helps reduce the physical strain of lifting and carrying trays and the possibility of bumps, spills, and injury.
Using Technology to Take a Trip
Culinary Services Group is also working with Springwell Senior Living to pilot a Virtual Reality (VR) headset for assisted living and memory care residents. These headsets take residents around the world, and these experiences trigger memories, build engagement, and improve the overall quality of life for residents.
By partnering with community activity teams, the Culinary Services Group team hopes to provide a new level of engagement for residents using VR headsets. Residents can take a trip to Paris or Brazil and enjoy a meal of that place’s unique cuisine.
Research supports that the use of VR in long-term care settings can improve memory function, cognition, and overall mood. These experiences, when given before a meal, may also help to increase appetite.
In the future, the Culinary Services Group team sees VR being used in two main ways in the communities we work with:
- As Therapy
In long-term care settings, VR may be used therapeutically. Through reminiscence therapy, residents may recall positive memories. Imagine walking into a 1950’s diner and remembering the first time you met your spouse. VR may also provide distraction therapy. Giving residents relief from any pain, anxiousness, depression, or fear they may be feeling.
- As Entertainment
VR also has the potential to be used by activities departments to provide “stay-cations” for residents. We encourage participants to engage their dining teams when providing these types of activities. Imagine touring a city like Rome or Barcelona and completing your experience by tasting the best foods from the region.
How Will You Use Technology to Create a Better Quality of Life for Residents?
Incorporating the right technologies in your community can improve workflows and enhance staffing patterns for teams. Technology also helps residents stay engaged by stimulating memory and cognition.
At Culinary Services Group, we pride ourselves on innovation. Our goal is to be industry leaders in providing technology solutions that improve the quality of life for those we serve. These new technologies help us provide enhanced experiences both on and off the dining room floor.
Contact us here to learn more about how Culinary Services Group can help you integrate new technologies into your senior living community.
