Discover how senior living dining is being transformed in this episode of Tips from Trestle. Aaron welcomes Liz Oba Killinger, Real Food Mission Ambassador at Thomas Cuisine, to discuss the shift from processed foods to nutrient-dense, scratch-made meals in senior living communities. Liz shares practical strategies for balancing resident preferences with a real food philosophy, engaging both staff and residents in the journey toward wellness and operational excellence. Learn how Thomas Cuisine’s approach boosts resident satisfaction, supports longevity, and empowers culinary teams. Perfect for senior living operators, chefs, and wellness advocates seeking actionable insights to elevate food service and resident engagement in today’s competitive senior living landscape

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice
• WiseOx
• Ben E Keith Foods
• AdvantageTrust GPO

#TFT419 #SeniorLiving #FoodService #wellness #healthyeating #seniorcare #hospitality #healthyfood #community #nutrition #aging #residentengagement #scratchcooking #culinarywellness #realfood #assistedliving

We kick off our summer season with another great conversation form the ALAA Spring Conference! This week’s episode finds Aaron catching up with Joyce Lamilla, Director of Healthcare and Nutrition Solutions at Ben E Keith Foods, to explore the evolving role of dietitians in senior living food service. Joyce shares her journey from clinical dietitian to distributor, revealing how her team customizes menus, leverages technology, and supports operators with cost control and compliance. Discover how Ben E Keith’s hands-on approach, innovative menu solutions, and personal customer service are transforming dining experiences for residents across 21 states. Whether you’re a senior living operator or a food service professional, this episode brings great insights on menu development, technology adoption, and building lasting partnerships in the senior living foodservice industry.

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice
• WiseOx
• Ben E Keith Foods
• AdvantageTrust GPO

#TFT418 #SeniorLiving #FoodService #DietitianLife #MenuDevelopment #HospitalityInnovation #HealthcareFood #SeniorCare #DiningExperience #NutritionSolutions #CostControl #TechInSeniorLiving #ResidentExperience #CustomMenus #FoodDistribution #HealthyAging

Discover how video is transforming the senior living industry in this latest episode of Tips from Trestle. Aaron sits down with Christie Freeze, senior care guide and video communication expert, to explore the power of authentic video in building trust, boosting occupancy, and nurturing resident loyalty. Christie shares actionable strategies for senior living operators, from using evergreen and personalized videos to reduce no-shows and foster community, to engaging staff and residents in content creation. Learn how simple, unscripted videos can create psychological proximity, enhance the resident experience, and turn leads into lifelong ambassadors. Whether you’re a sales director, chef, or activities coordinator, this episode reveals how video can elevate your senior living community’s hospitality and care.Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice: https://bit.ly/TFT_eMenu
• WiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOx
• Ben E Keith Foods: https://bit.ly/TFT_BEK
• AdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrust

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#TFT417 #seniorliving #seniorcare #assistedliving #eldercare #healthcare #community #hospitality #aging #caregiver #family #wellness #dementia #videoengagement #authenticity #residentexperience

On this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron welcomes Michelle Magner, founder of Inspired Caring, to discuss supporting families through the transition to memory care. Recorded live at the ALAA Spring Conference, Michele draws from her extensive experience as a caregiver and certified dementia practitioner, to share practical strategies for calming the chaos, focusing on the “Three C’s” - curiosity, communication, and compassion. The conversation highlights the importance of mindfulness, gratitude practices, and holistic support for both residents and caregivers. Listeners gain actionable insights for improving the senior living experience, fostering stronger family relationships, and elevating foodservice and hospitality standards. These practices are great not just for caregivers, but for everyone working in senior living!

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice
• WiseOx
• Ben E Keith Foods
• AdvantageTrust GPO

#TFT416 #SeniorLiving #CaregiverSupport #DementiaCare #MemoryCare #MindfulnessMatters #GratitudePractice #FamilyCaregivers #InspiredCaring #SeniorDining #AgingWell #CompassionateCare #HospitalityLeaders #ElderCare #CommunityExperience

This episode of Tips from Trestle features Todd Smith, founder of Odessa Connect, exploring how technology can truly serve seniors in living communities. Smith introduces the concept of "the last five feet" - the critical final step where technology meets the user, often overlooked in design. He discusses Odessa Connects journey to a TV-based solution, emphasizing intuitive interfaces, inclusive design, and meaningful family connectivity. The conversation highlights lessons learned in bridging the digital divide, optimizing user experience for older adults, and fostering social engagement to combat isolation and enhance quality of life.

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice
• WiseOx
• Ben E Keith Foods

#TFT415 #SeniorLiving #AgingTech #LastFiveFeet #DigitalInclusion #ResidentExperience #TechForSeniors #HospitalityInnovation #FamilyConnectivity #UserCentricDesign #AccessibleTech #CommunityEngagement #SeniorCare #SocialIsolation #TVTechnology

This episode of Tips from Trestle - recorded live at the ALAA Spring Conference - features risk management expert Steve Growth, who reveals that risk management in senior living is definitely more than just having really good insurance. Steve explains why prioritizing employee safety goes far beyond workers’ compensation-it directly affects staff retention, company culture, resident satisfaction, and operational success. Listeners learn practical steps for tracking injury data, responding to incidents, and fostering a culture where safety is valued. The conversation highlights how a proactive approach to risk management can transform both the caregiver and resident experience in senior living communities. To download Steve’s “Safety Leadership Self-Evaluation”, click here: https://bit.ly/TFT414_Download

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice
• WiseOx
• Ben E Keith Foods

#TFT413 #SeniorLiving #RiskManagement #WorkplaceSafety #EmployeeWellbeing #AssistedLiving #CaregiverSupport #ResidentExperience #StaffRetention #CultureOfCare #InjuryPrevention #SeniorCare #HealthyWorkplace

Let’s learn how to create a voice that will resonate with any audience! This episode of "Tips from Trestle" features Dana Weaver, a leadership and communication coach with deep roots in senior living. Dana shares her journey from nursing home administrator to empowering women entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of magnetic leadership—rooted in authentic communication, deep listening, and storytelling. She discusses actionable strategies for frontline staff and leaders to foster trust, engagement, and psychological safety in senior living communities. The conversation also highlights how technology and person-centered dining experiences are transforming foodservice, ultimately enhancing resident satisfaction and operational efficiency in senior care environments.

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice
• WiseOx
• Ben E Keith Foods

#TFT413 #SeniorLiving #LeadershipDevelopment #WomenInLeadership #MagneticLeadership #EmpathyInLeadership #SeniorDining #HospitalityIndustry #ResidentExperience #StorytellingForLeaders #ActiveListening #CommunityEngagement #DiningInnovation #PersonCenteredCare #SeniorLivingTrends

Let’s explore the haunted halls of senior dining innovation in this spine-tingling episode of "Tips from Trestle!” Aaron joined by culinary conjurers Jasmine Killebrew & Chad Lauderbaugh, who reveal how The Sharon at South Park summoned a ghost kitchen—Allison’s—to deliver fine dining straight to residents and those lurking on the waitlist. Discover the tricks and treats behind launching a DoorDash-powered phantom kitchen, the eerie logistics of meal delivery, and the magic of leveraging existing staff and menus. Their chilling advice: measure success by the spirits you lift, not just the profits you raise. Don’t be afraid—no ghosts here, just delicious innovation!

Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:

• eMenuChoice
• WiseOx
• Ben E Keith Foods

#TFT412 #GhostKitchen #SeniorLiving #FoodService #CulinaryInnovation #HauntedHospitality #SpookyDining #DiningExperience #MealDelivery #TechInSeniorCare #CommunityDining #HealthyAging #SeniorCareLeaders #FoodTrends2025 #HospitalityTech