Hancock County Senior & Childcare Services (HCSCS) is excited to announce the launch of an innovative social mealtime program at Hancock Village’s Maple Grove Memory Care, designed to enhance connection, improve the dining experience, and support the overall well-being of residents living with dementia.
Beginning in September, HCSCS will partner with The Family Dinner Project, a nonprofit initiative based at Massachusetts General Hospital, to pilot an eight-week program that encourages meaningful social engagement during mealtimes. The program is built around evidence-based activities and conversation strategies, including interactive games, music, and conversation prompts that facilitate being present and celebrate individuality, imagination, and connection.
Research has shown that many individuals with dementia experience challenges during meals, including reduced appetite, difficulty staying engaged, and decreased food intake. By creating opportunities for conversation, creativity, and shared experiences, the program aims to make mealtimes more enjoyable while supporting nutrition, emotional well-being, and social connection.
HCSCS is also excited to invite Willow Grove Childcare & Learning Center students and families to participate in this initiative with Maple Grove residents, to facilitate the development of meaningful intergenerational relationships. These shared experiences offer residents and children alike valuable opportunities to build connections, spark conversation, and create joyful moments across generations.
As part of this eight-week program, families of both residents and students will receive resources and practical tools they can use during visits to encourage conversation, increase engagement, and create more positive mealtime experiences with their loved ones.
“Across every generation, mealtimes have always been a place where people come together. It’s where connections are strengthened, traditions are shared, and a sense of belonging is created,” said Colleen Willdrick, Executive Director of Hancock County Senior & Childcare Services. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to create space for residents, families, caregivers, and children to share not just a meal, but meaningful moments together. This project reminds us that connection across generations can still flourish, even when words or memories become more difficult.”
The Family Dinner Project’s dementia mealtime resources were developed with input from experts in geriatric psychiatry, dementia care professionals, caregivers, and families, ensuring the activities are practical, engaging, and appropriate for individuals living with memory impairment.
This pilot program reflects Hancock County Senior & Childcare Services’ ongoing commitment to person-centered care, innovation, and creating meaningful experiences that enrich the lives of older adults in our community.
For more information about the program, please contact Colleen Wildrick, Executive Director of Hancock County Senior & Childcare Services, at [email protected] or Anne K. Fishel, Ph.D., Director and Co-Founder of the Family Dinner Project at [email protected].
Hancock County Senior & Childcare Services is proud to lead with innovation and trusted excellence at every stage of life, and is dedicated to delivering exceptional care. Always. To learn more, visit hancockvillage.org.
Pictured: Donna Garrett, Resident at Maple Grove
