Local healthcare community gives residents the power to choose

The meals prepared at Merwick Care and Rehabilitation Center aren’t your typical healthcare community fare. That’s because its parent company, Windsor Healthcare Communities, asks the people who eat the meals to help determine what’s on the menu.

Merwick Care and Rehabilitation Center hosted the first of seven taste-testing events that were held at Windsor Healthcare Communities from September through November. Close to 100 Merwick residents and family members, physicians and medical staff sampled more than a dozen dishes prepared by Chef Chad Kania at the inaugural taste-testing event in September. The food options were presented tapas style and set up in multiple stations: stir-fry, sandwich, soup, Italian and dessert. The following winning dishes will be added to the community’s fall/winter menu: broccoli cheddar soup, cornbread, apple crisp, eggplant parmigiana, and Philly cheesesteak.

“We decided to ask residents which meals they prefer and then plan the menu accordingly,” explained Christina Fleming, Vice President of Marketing at Windsor Healthcare Communities. “Taste-testing events in a healthcare setting are unusual, yet when you understand the role food plays in the well-being of our residents, it makes sense to involve them in the process.”

According to an NCBI Study, menu choice and a lack of variety in meals can impact the quality of life in a healthcare community and predispose residents to a greater risk of illness and functional decline.

“Residents select foods that bring them pleasure, not foods that have the most nutritional value,” said Fleming. “The power to choose increases residents’ enjoyment and the likelihood they will consume the nutrients needed to nourish their mind and body and live a quality life. Nutrition is an important element in the overall care we provide.”

Additional taste-tasting events sponsored by Pinnacle Dietary were held at Cornell Hall Care & Rehabilitation Center, 234 Chestnut St., Union, Ashbrook Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 1610 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, Abingdon Care & Rehabilitation Center, 303 Rock Ave., Green Brook, Llanfair House Care & Rehabilitation Center, 1140 Black Oak Ridge Road, Wayne, Canterbury at Cedar Grove Care & Rehab Center, 398 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, and Windsor Garden Care Center, 140 Park Ave., East Orange.

The next series of taste-testing menu planning events for the homes will take place in the late winter. The events will be open to the public.

About Windsor Healthcare Communities:

Windsor Healthcare Communities provides clinically advanced post-hospital medical care and rehabilitation, as well as comprehensive skilled nursing care throughout New Jersey. A family owned and operated organization, Windsor is a recognized pioneer in promoting person-directed care that cherishes, honors and loves older adults. For more information, visit www.windsorhealthcare.org.