Senior living community transforms dining room into socially distant food court

Bayview, a senior living community in Seattle, has transformed its dining room into a new food court to provide a safe way for its residents to enjoy meals during COVID-19. 

The Terrace Garden Food Court features three socially distanced food stations equipped with glass partitions as well as a marketplace offering grab and go items. Residents waiting for their meals will be able to sit in a waiting area that provides adequately spaced seating for social distancing. The food court also includes additional safety features such as floor decals, sanitizing stations, large signage for easy navigation, and separate aisles for employees and residents. 

Social distance ambassadors will be present to make sure that residents are adhering to proper COVID-19 safety precautions and will also be able to answer any questions they may have. 

Bayview tapped into residents’ talents when creating the new food court. One resident who is an architect helped develop the floor plans of the new space and another resident who is an Emmy-nominated set designer helped design the food court’s look and feel. 

Officials have temporarily halted the launch of the food court due to an increased presence of COVID-19 in the area but are encouraging other senior living communities to work with their residents to come up with new and innovative ideas during the pandemic. 

Related:Morrison Living is navigating the ‘next normal’ in senior dining through constant innovation