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13 Actionable Ideas We Heard at SDA SYNERGY 2024
The senior living landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by the increasing expectations of residents and the need for operators to adapt to emerging trends. Recently, at SDA SYNERGY 2024, industry leaders gathered to discuss key topics shaping the future of senior living communities. Let's delve into the trending topics and insights shared during this dynamic conference:
Embracing the "DO" Mindset
The conference commenced with a thought-provoking keynote by TEDx speaker Bart Berkey, encouraging attendees to embrace a mindset of action. Berkey's message resonated throughout the event, igniting discussions on how senior living communities can do more for their residents, teams, and themselves.
Meeting the Expectations of a Growing Senior Population
A central theme emerged from the discussions: the evolving expectations of senior living residents. Today's seniors desire vibrant community experiences, seeking memorable and enjoyable moments in their daily lives. Operators recognize the need to innovate across various aspects of community living to meet these expectations effectively while keeping resident safety at the forefront.
Elevating Dining Experiences
One area of focus highlighted at the conference was the evolution of dining experiences within senior living communities. Attendees explored innovative ideas to enhance culinary offerings, including:
- Diversity and inclusion-themed events, such as Indian Tea tastings and ice cream sundae bars, aimed at creating engaging experiences for residents.
- The adoption of restaurant-style dining, offering elevated cuisine and abundant choice with an emphasis on plant-based options to cater to evolving dietary preferences.
- Transformative pop-up themed restaurants, where dining rooms are redesigned to reflect different cultural cuisines and atmospheres.
- Interactive cooking demonstrations, chef competitions, and wine pairing dinners to engage residents and foster a sense of community.
- The importance of thoughtful presentation, especially for residents with specific dietary needs like dysphagia, emphasizing both nutrition and quality of life.
- A growing demand for ethically sourced and locally produced foods, reflecting residents' preferences for sustainable dining options.
- Options for “grab and go” convenience, with technologies like Self-Service Kiosks making 24-hour availability possible.
- The flexibility of self-ordering or booking with personal devices, including checking account balances and booking reservations or appointments.
Embracing Technology for Enhanced Living
In addition to culinary innovations, discussions at SDA SYNERGY 2024 emphasized the critical role of technology in enhancing resident experiences and operational efficiency. Staff are demanding easier ways to manage their people data, menu management, Point of Sale, and mitigating risk. This is where technology can step in to lighten the load.
With successful technology implementation one of the top challenges in this area, insights shared included:
- Establishing clear standards and guidelines for technology implementation, supported by comprehensive “adoption packets” and staff training initiatives.
- Creating staff and resident tech committees within communities to drive engagement and ensure diverse perspectives in technology adoption processes.
- Prioritizing ease of use and accessibility in technology solutions, particularly for managing people data, menu systems, and mitigating operational risks.
- Implementing robust continuous improvement strategies, including regular feedback mechanisms and self-assessment tools to identify areas for enhancement.
- Recognizing the importance of resident champions and staff advocates in promoting technology adoption and overcoming resistance within communities.
Thank you, Senior Dining Association for putting on another incredible event! We’d love to continue the dialogue as to how MealSuite can help you improve resident satisfaction and boost efficiencies, while tying your operation together with an all-in-one system. You can click here if you’re interested in a personal demo!
By: Natalie Benninger, Customer Success Manager at MealSuite