The role of occupational therapy in planning dining programs in institutions for the frail elderly.

Dining rooms in institutions for the frail elderly often reflect an atmosphere of speed, congestion, eating and being fed with minimal social interaction between residents and service personnel. The role of the occupational therapist in helping to create a dining program in such facilities is described. The importance of attention to individual resident needs, careful design of the setting and environment as well as planned strategies for conducting a dining program are emphasized. The key roles of staff and their attitudes are described.