# A study on the influencing factors of older adults dining satisfaction in community senior canteens based on grounded theory

## TL;DR

This study explores what affects older adults' satisfaction with community senior canteens in China, using interviews and grounded theory.

## Contribution

It identifies a progressive mechanism linking environmental factors to dining satisfaction and proposes localized strategies for improvement.

## Key findings

- Environmental stimuli like physical environment and service interactions influence dining satisfaction.
- Cognitive evaluation and emotional response moderate the personal appraisal of dining experiences.
- Behavioral responses such as dining frequency and place attachment reflect satisfaction levels.

## Abstract

Against the backdrop of a rapidly aging population, improving the quality of life for older adults has become an urgent issue. As an innovative model of elderly care services, community-based senior dining halls are gradually emerging as important platforms for promoting active aging in China.

Based on grounded theory, this study adopts senior community canteens in China as a case study and conducts in-depth interviews with 30 older adults who dine there regularly. It systematically explores the key factors influencing dining satisfaction among older adults in community dining settings.

The findings reveal a progressive mechanism of “environmental stimuli personal appraisal behavioral response” in shaping dining satisfaction. Specifically, the physical environment and service interactions serve as foundational drivers of environmental stimuli; cognitive evaluation and emotional response play moderating roles in the personal appraisal stage; and behavioral responses, such as dining frequency and place attachment, ultimately reflect satisfaction levels.

The study further proposes four optimization strategies: institutional demand orientation, emotional spatial design, personalized services, and companion-oriented governance. These offer localized policy recommendations for governments and communities to advance active aging.