The dining experience of residents with dementia in long-term care facilities

This qualitative study aimed to explore the dining experience of residents with dementia in long-term care facilities, with a focus on the psychosocial aspect of their experiences. Data were collected by multiple methods, including participant observation and conversational interviews with residents with dementia, focus groups with staff, and examination of documents at two urban facilities in British Columbia, Canada. Data analysis revealed eight themes: (1) Outpacing/ Relaxed pace, (2) Withholding/ Holding, (3) Stimulation, (4) Disrespect/ Respect, (5) Invalidation/ Validation, (6) Distancing/ Connecting, (7) Disempowerment/ Empowerment, and (8) Ignoring/ Inclusion. These themes provide a clear set of factors that affect the quality of residents' experiences and offer insights into the processes of how multiple factors influence the residents' experiences in complex ways. The results suggest that although staff approaches significantly impact residents' experiences, the physical environment and organizational milieu are also responsible for hindering and facilitating staff to provide care.