Tips from Trestle: The Senior Living Food and Hospitality Podcast

Our second episode on 2026 trends features the operators perspective, as Aaron sits down with John Tolbert, Associate VP of Culinary for Sagora Senior Living, to unpack 2026 food and hospitality trends. They dive into leveraging GPOs and POS technology to fight inflation, cut waste, and boost revenue while still delivering restaurant-quality, home-style comfort food residents love. From personalized menus built on resident preference data to bistros, room service apps, and “high tech, high touch” service models, this conversation shows how modern senior living communities can elevate both experience and efficiency. Aaron and John also explore wellness-focused menu design, “stealth health” recipes, and flavor-forward nutrition that keeps residents happy, healthy, and engaged. It’s a must-listen for senior living leaders, culinary directors, and hospitality teams.
A special thanks to Ben E Keith Foods for hosting this episode in their corporate recording studio in Fort Worth!
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
#TFT503 #SeniorLiving #SeniorLivingDining #FoodAndHospitality #SeniorLivingLeadership #CulinaryInnovation #ResidentExperience #WellnessThroughFood #SeniorDining #HighTechHighTouch #POSforDining #HospitalityMatters #BoomerGeneration #MenuEngineering #GPOstrategy #HealthyComfortFood

This episode of Tips from Trestle explores how senior living communities can transform into a hospitality‑driven engine for wellness, engagement, and revenue. Aaron chats with Sharalene Roper, COO of Ignite Living leader to unpack how independent and assisted living can use intentional design, intergenerational programming, and creative use of space to combat social isolation and drive resident satisfaction. They explore practical strategies like POS systems, robotics in the dining room, always‑available wellness‑focused menus, and flexible “club‑style” grill rooms that elevate senior living foodservice. You’ll hear actionable ideas around the eight dimensions of wellness, community partnerships with schools and local government, and how hospitality‑driven design keeps residents happier, healthier, and in your community longer.
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
#TFT502 #SeniorLiving #SeniorLivingDining #SeniorLivingDesign #ActiveAging #AgingWell #HospitalityDriven #ResidentExperience #DiningExperience #SeniorLivingLeaders #WellnessInAging #IntergenerationalLiving #SeniorCareInnovation #FoodServiceManagement #RetirementLiving #SeniorLivingMarketing

This season 5 premiere of Tips from Trestle features tech-powered aging, dementia care, and senior living innovation taking center stage in this CES 2026 debrief with Carrie Aalberts (aka the Dementia Darling). She and Aaron go deep into what the world’s largest tech show reveals about the future of aging, hospitality, and dementia care. They explore how themes like AI, mobility, and digital health are converging with senior living operations, and why leaders can’t afford to ignore the rapidly growing longevity economy. Framed as the first of three “trends for the new year” episodes, this conversation shares some great tech to be aware of for 2026, as well as sets the stage for deeper discussions on innovation, collaboration, and how forward-thinking providers can elevate resident and caregiver experiences across the entire continuum of senior 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
#TFT501 #SeniorLiving #AgeTech #DementiaCare #MemoryCare #CaregiverLife #SeniorLivingInnovation #DigitalHealth #AIInHealthcare #SeniorLivingDining #HospitalityMatters #FallsPrevention #BrainHealth #CaregiverSupport #HealthyAging #TipsFromTrestle #DementiaDarling

In a perfect re-release to start the new year, let’s flashback to Aaron’s conversation with Seth Winder, a training specialist at Clark National Accounts, about the critical role of DISC assessments and emotional intelligence (EQ) in team building and development. Seth shares his journey from public education to corporate training, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual tendencies and emotional triggers. The discussion highlights practical applications of assessment tools like DISC and understanding EQ in senior living and foodservice environments, offering insights into improving team dynamics, communication, and overall performance. Seth underscores the value of self-awareness and proactive engagement in fostering a collaborative and efficient workplace culture.
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
#TFT326 #EmployeeDevelopment #TeamBuilding #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #DISCAssessment #FoodserviceIndustry #SeniorLiving #ProfessionalGrowth #WorkplaceWellness #TeamDynamics #TrainingAndDevelopment #HospitalityManagement #EmployeeEngagement

This year-in-review episode of Tips from Trestle pulls back the curtain on how senior living dining, hospitality, and resident experience evolved in 2025. Host Aaron Fish revisits conversations on dementia-friendly dining, real food and speed-scratch menus, emergency preparedness, and frontline leadership that turns strategy into lived experience in senior living communities. Hear how empathy with intention, work-life integration, and Montessori-inspired engagement reshape memory care and move resident programs far beyond bingo. Explore whether tech – from smarter POS systems to assistive spoons and social robots – truly enhances human connection in the dining room instead of replacing it. Leaders, operators, and culinary pros will walk away with practical ideas to personalize menus, elevate hospitality, reduce isolation, and center resident dignity in 2026 and beyond.
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

#TFT446 #TipsFromTrestle #SeniorLiving #YearInReview #SeniorLivingDining #SeniorLivingLeadership #ResidentExperience #DementiaCare #MemoryCare #SeniorLivingFood #HospitalityLeadership #AgingServices #SeniorCareInnovation #DiningExperience #FoodAsMedicine #CaregiverSupport #SeniorLivingMarketing #SeniorLivingPodcast