The dining experience in nursing homes.

The dining experience is an opportunity for residents to experience the independence they once knew and still desire. Through appropriate meal consistencies an optimal dining room setting, and coordination of the total healthcare team, these desires can be reached. The resident benefits from this emphasis on the dining experience, while the interdisciplinary team members gain more insight into the individual needs of residents. The dining experience can be an important part of the clinical care of the resident by assuring appropriate nutritional and fluid intake, and it can help assure a desirable quality of life even while residing in a long-term care facility.