As Jimmy Buffet and Alan Jackson famously reminded us, it’s five o’clock somewhere! Many senior living communities are hosting cocktail parties and happy hours to encourage conversation and bring a sense of community and connection to their residents. In the US, approximately 70% of assisted living residents drink alcohol regularly, with most imbibing at least once per day, and those numbers are on the rise. With so many older adults accustomed to rounding out the evening with a nightcap or enjoying friendly conversation over a pint, cocktails are on the menu at several senior living facilities. Not only do these on-site happy hours encourage a sense of community, but they also help make residents feel at home. Running the gamut from wine-pairings to Oktoberfest blowouts, these spirit-forward gatherings provide residents with the chance to mingle. “We want the residents to continue to enjoy what they’ve enjoyed in the past,” Judi Donovan, Executive Director of GreenFields told the Chicago Tribune. “This often times includes wine, beer and or cocktails. Residents are invited to enjoy alcohol within their apartments and at meals, cocktail parties and happy hours.” “Our cocktail parties and happy hours are wonderful ice-breakers giving people a time to chat with old friends and meet new ones,” Donovan continues. “It’s about encouraging fellowship. We have a very friendly community. Social hours sometimes give people who might not otherwise interact with each other, a chance to do so and make new friends.” The Brew Crew While famous concoctions like martinis and Manhattans still rule the roost, beer and wine are making inroads within the senior demographic. In Bend, OR, for example, members of the Aspen Ridge Retirement Community’s “Brew Crew” concoct 13 different types of beer, including popular favorites like Machine Maggie Imperial IPA and...

Food trucks provide the perfect vehicle for senior living communities looking to increase brand awareness and improve the resident experience. With a sense of celebration and a tang of the exotic, food trucks do more than sling tacos – they bring people together. Over the last few years, these compact purveyors of tasty treats have taken over parking lots and commandeered fairgrounds. Now senior living providers are getting in on the fun. For communities looking to attract new prospects and enhance the resident experience, food trucks are an easy way to update dining options and lure prospects. That’s because dining rates high when it comes to assessing the resident experience. As the introduction to the latest report from Senior Housing News on senior living dining trends explains, “Dining drives senior living businesses – there’s no question about it.” Connecting the Community For many senior living residents meals provide a critical link. In the dining hall, seniors interact with each other, staving off isolation and providing an antidote to loneliness. Holidays, special events – even just Sunday breakfast – all offer the opportunity to foster a sense of community. As a  2010 report from Unidine reiterates, “Senior dining programs facilitate social interaction, support medical care as well as health and wellness objectives and provide a critical link to the lives and communities of residents.” Expanding Experiences Because of senior’s unique nutritional needs, meal planning at most communities is complex. Everything from ingredients to taste to medication side effects must be taken into consideration. Dietary restrictions and weight management are equally important. With so much micromanagement, there’s little room for spontaneity. Adding food trucks to the rotation allows communities to provide a little variety while still keeping a close eye on the menu. “I see no...