There’s nothing fun about aging, and as senior citizens get older, even a task as simple as eating can become difficult for them. That’s why it’s so amazing that a new program is helping them dine with dignity in an interesting way.

Chefs at Watermark Retirement Communities in Iowa have created the Thrive Dining program, which offers healthy, safe and delicious dining alternatives for residents with cognitive or physical ailments that make eating difficult for them. Trained chefs at these communities take dishes like beef Wellington and grilled salmon and transform them into hors d’oeuvre-style gourmet meals, eaten by hand in one or two bites.

“We are pleased to offer this innovative, quality-of-life enhancing Thrive Dining meal service to our residents and neighbors,” said David Barnes, president and CEO of Watermark Retirement Communities. “We strive to create extraordinary communities where our residents thrive, and to be positive contributors to our neighbors.”

Watermark officials say that they are the first senior living and care group in Iowa to offer the program, which is based on the Grind Dining concept.

“I think it’s a great idea, and I wish they would do it for more meals,” said Sherri Gatchel, whose 86 year-old mother Joanna suffers from Alzheimer’s and has lived at a Watermark facility in Ankeny.

Judith Kitten’s parents also live at one of these facilities, and she has tried the meals herself.

“I just think the concept of little protein-packed bites is wonderful,” Kitten said. “It’s a terrific concept for those who are either unable to cut their meat up, and for people in memory care, a lot of them just forget to use a knife and a fork.”

“And my dad loves it because he’s an appetizer guy. He loves all that finger food and all the sauces for dipping,” she continued.

Executive Chef Linda Siriphan said that her favorite part about participating in the program is helping senior citizens dine with dignity.

“It feels great to see food that you and I can eat with forks, knives and spoons and see it converted to something one of our elderly residents can eat,” Siriphan said. “To see someone be able to pick this food up and put it in their mouth and to see them satisfied with it because not only are they able to eat, but it tastes good, that makes me feel good.”

Find out more about this dining program in the video below, and SHARE this story so your friends and family can see this as well!