Feeding Friends

Feeding Friends is an educational program aimed at training volunteers, personal caregivers and family members in ways of providing optimal assistance for UM Rehab & Ortho patients at mealtime. For many people, eating is associated with family, friends, conversation, celebrating, caring, religious events and cultural tradition. Families and patients see meals as a time to provide nutrition, love and caring, as well as a time to socialize. Due to many factors, patients may face at least one difficulty while eating related to swallowing, seating, eating assistance and amount of food eaten. We designed and implemented a comprehensive training program for our volunteers, personal caregivers and family members interested in assisting us during mealtime. Our program includes elements adapted from the Baycrest Eating Assistance Training Program and the Bridgepoint Mealtime Assistance Program. What are the program’s goals?

To maintain mealtime To encourage patient participation in To promote family To promote volunteer To encourage the social and pleasurable aspects of 3 shifts available: Times are approximate; number of volunteers will vary per week based on patient needs.: 07:30 to 08:30 EST Times are approximate; number of volunteers will vary per week based on patient needs.: 12:00 to 13:00 EST Times are approximate; number of volunteers will vary per week based on patient needs.: 17:00 to 18:00 EST