Mealtimes as active processes in long-term care facilities.

Mealtimes are central to the nutritional care of residents in long-term care facilities. There has been little Canadian research to guide interdisciplinary practice around mealtimes. This study included a grounded theory approach to explore mealtime experiences of 20 people with dementia living in two long-term care facilities, and the meal-related care they received from registered nurses, health care aides, and dietitians. Theoretical sampling directed the collection and analysis of data from mealtime observations in special care units and key informant interviews with care providers. The constant comparison method was used to analyze and conceptualize the data. A substantive theory emerged with three key themes: 1. Each mealtime is a unique process embedded within a long-term care facility's environment. 2. Residents are central to the process through their actions (i.e., arriving, eating, waiting, socializing, leaving, and miscellaneous distracted activities). 3. Internal (i.e., residents' characteristics) and external (i.e., co-resident, direct caregiving, indirect caregiving, administrative, and government activities) influences affect residents' actions at mealtimes. The theory suggests that optimal mealtime experiences for residents require individualized care that reflects interdisciplinary, multi-level interventions.