Introducing "Meals that Matter": A Monthly Dementia-Friendly Dining Experience Launching in Kawartha Lakes

by Silver Lights Senior Services & DementiAbility Enterprises Inc.

KAWARTHA LAKES: A unique new community initiative is coming to the City of Kawartha Lakes. "Meals that Matter: A Monthly Dementia-Friendly Dining Experience" aims to create inclusive, welcoming dining opportunities for individuals living with dementia and their families. The pilot event will be held at Charmin’s Wholesome Foods Catering, 153 Kent St W, Lindsay, on Friday, June 13th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Meals that Matter is a monthly adaptation of the Alzheimer Society’s Dining for Dementia fundraiser, held during the month of January. This new initiative builds on the spirit of that event, offering regular opportunities for seniors living with dementia and their families, to enjoy inclusive dining experiences, throughout the entire year. Each month, a participating restaurant will open their doors specifically for this event. The initiative will continue on, rotating locations to ensure accessibility across the community. Developed by Silver Lights Senior Services in collaboration with DementiAbility Enterprises Inc., Meals that Matter brings a fresh, community-centered approach to monthly social engagement and dementia-friendly dining, the first of its kind in the Kawartha Lakes.

Silver Lights Senior Services, led by Tammy Adams, in Kawartha Lakes, offers homecare, a dementia-focused Adult Day Program, and Seniors' Retreats, on a peaceful 3-acre property in Lindsay. In partnership with DementiAbility Enterprises Inc., founded by dementia expert Gail Elliot, they incorporate Montessori-based methods to enhance care, engagement, and independence for seniors.

Meals that Matter recognizes the everyday challenges faced by people living with dementia, when navigating public spaces like restaurants, from overwhelming environments to complex menus and loud noises, which can trigger confusion or responsive behaviours. As a result, many families avoid dining out altogether, leading to isolation and a diminished quality of life.

This initiative addresses that gap, by transforming local dining spaces into dementia-friendly environments, where individuals and families can share a meal in comfort, safety, and dignity. Trained staff, simplified menus, thoughtful layouts, and supportive atmospheres will ensure a meaningful and enjoyable experience for all.

The pilot event is just the beginning. The long-term goal is to engage more local restaurants and cafes, community partners, healthcare agencies, the Downtown BIA, and the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce, creating a network of dementia-friendly dining options across the city.

“We want to empower local businesses to become part of the solution,” said Susan Fisher, Managing Director of Silver Lights Senior Services. “Meals that Matter isn’t just about great food – it’s about connection, inclusion, and creating joyful moments for people who are so often left out of the experiences many of us take for granted.”

Restaurant staff, taking part in the event, will receive specialized dementia training, developed by Gail, to ensure they feel confident and equipped to support guests living with dementia. Menus and signage for the event will be created by Silver Lights in partnership with DementiAbility Enterprises. While participating businesses will have ongoing donation jars, to help offset the cost of materials for these monthly events, this initiative is not intended as a fundraiser for Silver Lights Senior Services.

As the first of, what is hoped to be many monthly events, the Meals that Matter pilot invites the community to be part of a movement which brings people together through empathy, understanding, and, of course a great meal.

For more information or to get involved, please contact Susan Fisher, at susan.fisher@silverlightsseniorservices.com.