"Nobody But a Family Member Can Do It Quite the Same Way": Understanding the Meaning of Mealtimes to Residents and Families in Long-Term Care Homes During the Pandemic.

This study confirms the importance of mealtimes in LTC and retirement homes to community building and extends our understanding of the importance of family inclusion at meals and why eating alone, as happened during COVID-19, was so detrimental to residents. Effort needs to be made to value this communal activity for the well-being of residents.