You ordered a hamburger, but a dumpling arrived! Do you become agitated and angry and send the unwelcome dish back to the kitchen? Not if you’re Shiro Ogumi, a Japanese television producer who decided to transform this experience at a nursing home into an opportunity to raise awareness of dementia.
A Unique Job Requirement
He envisioned, and set about creating, a dining experience that would embrace the cognitive limitations the elderly citizens of Japan were experiencing. What transpired went beyond his initial expectations. Named the Restaurant of Mistaken Orders, the only requirement for employment was dementia!
Learn more at: RESTAURANT OF MISTAKEN ORDERS.
So What, It Tastes Good!
Guests at the pop-up events were charmed by their elderly servers, who surprised them with unexpected behaviors. A server might, after directing diners to their tables, plop down in an empty seat and join them. Or, after placing a glass of water before a patron, the server might reach down for the glass and take a hearty drink.
Instead of being offended by these inconsistencies, patrons joined wholeheartedly in the experience, giggling with delight when an unexpected dish was placed in front of them. Perhaps noodles were ordered, and squid arrived. No worries. The idea is to graciously ‘go with the flow’, to relax and enjoy the experience. As one diner said, “It doesn’t matter if the order is wrong because all the food tastes good.”
Aging Population
With an aging population, it’s estimated that one in five elderly people in Japan will have dementia this year (2025). The US National Institutes of Health estimates that 6.9 million Americans, age 65 and older are currently living with Alzheimer’s dementia. It’s likely these numbers will increase as the nation’s population ages.
Women are more likely to be affected and currently make up more than half of those with Alzheimer’s. More than 55 million people have dementia worldwide so it’s a concern that’s not going away soon.
Restaurant’s Objective
Without a cure, Ogami’s intent was to bring a kinder and more compassionate awareness to the situation by offering a sense of dignity to his workers, and in the process, re-establish their sense of purpose in life. It also provides the social interactions so often denied those with dementia, who are too often isolated and feel neglected. Apparently, the idea is catching on as these pop-up events have spread throughout Japan and now are being held in Australia, South Korea, and the UK.
About 37% of orders turn out to be mistaken but 99% of patrons leave satisfied and happy. The restaurants ring with laughter and happy chatter as all join in on the fun of unanticipated mistakes. The message seems to have been delivered and well received: we are all human with our frailties and limitations and embracing, even celebrating these challenges fosters community and the recognition that we all have something to contribute.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s need not be viewed as a stigma but as part of the ongoing human condition. Seeing the ‘problem’ with fresh eyes is spurring an increased global awareness in the heartwarming power of accepting and including those with dementia.
For more information on how to start a Restaurant of Mistaken Orders and for photos see: mistakenorders.com/en/home.html.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Would you visit a restaurant of mistaken orders? Do you think dementia patients should be given the opportunity to be social in different environments?
