9 Essential Tips for Safely Reopening Community Dining in Senior and Assisted Living Facilities

brad2281
May 31, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Jul 25

Dining is more than just a meal; it's an opportunity for connection.

For seniors in assisted living, community dining plays a vital role in maintaining emotional well-being, cognitive health, and a sense of belonging. However, the risks introduced by COVID-19 forced many facilities to close or limit these spaces.

As states gradually progress into Phase 3 of federal reopening guidelines, senior and assisted living communities are exploring safe ways to bring back communal dining. If your facility is preparing to reopen, here are 9 expert-backed tips to do it responsibly and effectively.

Two women sit at a round table divided by glass, talking. One in yellow eats from a container, the other has a drink. Bright, neutral setting.

1. Minimize Crowds with Scheduled Meal Times

Avoid long lines at check-in by assigning specific dining slots to smaller groups of residents. This reduces bottlenecks at entry points and makes it easier to manage room capacity while maintaining a smooth flow of traffic.

2. Limit the Number of Diners

Reduce room occupancy to one-third or one-quarter of your usual capacity. If your dining hall seats 200, aim for 50 residents or fewer at a time. This supports safe distancing and eases the pressure on staff.

3. Use Table Dividers for Added Protection

Enhance physical barriers with plexiglass dividers or spaced seating arrangements. Moving tables apart or blocking direct airflow between residents adds another layer of protection at mealtimes.

4. Enforce Proper PPE for All Staff

Ensure that all dining staff are masked and gloved at all times, and change protective gear between groups. Even with socially distanced seating, the staff is the primary point of contact for residents, so maintaining strict hygiene protocols is essential.

5. Reduce Contact with Shared Surfaces

Limit exposure to communal surfaces by rotating seating zones, switching out placemats and menus between groups, and using disposable or digital menu options whenever possible.

6. Sanitize Between Seating Groups

Thoroughly disinfect all dining surfaces between seatings using EPA-approved, food-safe disinfectant. Adhere strictly to product contact times to ensure full viral deactivation.

7. Offer More To-Go and In-Room Dining Options

Some residents may prefer to dine in their rooms. Offer grab-and-go meals, packaged kits, or partial to-go options (like desserts) to reduce traffic in communal areas and accommodate personal comfort levels.

8. Leverage Technology for Connection

Incorporate tools like Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime to help residents stay connected with loved ones, even if they’re not ready to return to group dining. This reduces social isolation while promoting mental health. Bonus: Prepare your facility with strong internet and basic tech support to make this smooth.

9. Design with the Future in Mind

Many forward-thinking facilities are moving toward village-style or pod-based campus layouts. These designs support a community feel while enabling easier zoning, isolation, and infection control, offering long-term resilience for future outbreaks.

Whether you're currently in Phase 3 or preparing for it, now is the time to plan your dining area's reopening. Implementing these measures ensures not only the health and safety of your residents but also a positive, community-driven experience.

Need Help with Dining Room Modifications?

LaBel Foodservice can help you reopen safely, with design, equipment, and layout strategies tailored for senior and assisted living environments. From plexiglass partitions to food-safe layout updates, we’ve got you covered.

Contact us today for a free consultation and explore solutions to safely modernize your dining space.