Consuming enough nutrients to power your body is important at every age. As we get older, it can be challenging to get the amount of nutrients we need. Undernutrition affects 5 in 10 seniors living in assisted living communities.
Senior living communities must focus on nutrition when crafting a senior meals menu. Nutrition affects every part of the body, from cognitive function to physical capacity.
This blog will discuss how and why Belleair Towers puts nutrition at the forefront when creating healthy meals for seniors. We'll also talk about the importance of nutrition and the diverse ingredients we include in our meals.
Nutrition is focused on eating a balanced and healthy diet so you get the nutrients you need. These are substances in food that your body needs to grow and function. This can include:
Good nutrition gives your body the fuel it needs for energy. It also helps control your weight. Nutrition can prevent some health conditions, such as:
While seniors may require fewer calories, their nutrient needs remain high. Unfortunately, some things occur during the aging process that make it challenging to eat healthily. This can include:
Senior living communities need to put nutrition-focused senior dining at the forefront when creating their menus. Communities must ensure residents get the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Senior living communities collaborate with nutritionists and dietitians to create well-rounded meal plans. They design their meals to meet the recommended daily allowances of nutrients seniors need. They also cater to the dietary restrictions and preferences of their residents.
Many seniors have certain dietary needs due to their medications and health conditions. For example, residents with diabetes may have to limit their carbohydrate intake. Seniors with heart disease may be required to avoid foods that have high sodium levels.
Senior living communities can cater to these needs by offering soft food options for residents who have trouble chewing. Other options may include blending the food so it's easier to swallow or helping residents feed themselves to ensure they eat enough.
Meals for seniors should be packed full of the nutrients that they're lacking. Some of these may include:
Senior living communities achieve this by creating balanced plates. For example, half of the plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables. The other half should be split between lean protein and whole grains.
Dietary requirements aren't just limited to nutrition and the consistency of food. Some other options that communities may offer include:
Offering meals that fit different dietary and religious requirements makes residents feel included.
Nobody wants to eat the same thing every day. This is especially true for seniors who are in an assisted living community for long periods. Offering a wide range of menu options ensures residents stay interested and ready to eat healthily each day.
Examples of meal options for the three meals of the day include:
Creating well-balanced meals isn't the only important aspect of senior living nutrition. Developing a positive dining experience will encourage seniors to leave their rooms and get the social connections they need to thrive.
Many seniors suffer from isolation and loneliness as they age. Restaurant-style dining rooms encourage residents to interact with one another. A few of the benefits of social dining for seniors include:
Offering flexible dining schedules accommodates the preferences of residents. Senior living communities often offer special events and themed meals to make dining more enjoyable.
Highly processed foods and sugars can negatively impact the health of seniors. They can contribute to some health conditions, such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
Seniors can be more susceptible to the harmful effects of these foods. It's harder for their bodies to produce glucose.
Senior dining menus in various communities remove these ingredients from their menus or majorly limit them. Their meals ensure that residents only consume high-quality ingredients.
Senior living communities need to stay on top of their residents' nutritional statuses. It's important to regularly assess how residents feel about what they're eating. While a meal may be full of the nutrients they need, they might not be enjoying the flavors.
Some residents' abilities to chew and swallow may deteriorate over time. Communities need to monitor their abilities to make sure they're eating enough. Communities can utilize technology to track seniors' nutritional preferences and intake.
Senior living communities should engage residents when planning their menus. This makes them feel more connected to the foods they're eating. This can include some of the following methods:
Including residents could improve their cognitive function and increase socialization.
Residents need to have access to proper nourishment throughout the day. Healthy snacks that communities can offer include:
Communities should limit residents' access to sugar drinks, even between meals. They need to offer water to keep residents hydrated.
Senior living communities put the creation of their senior meals menu at the forefront. Proper nutrition is the key to mental, emotional, and physical health. It's important to find a senior living community that prioritizes nutrition for its residents.
The chefs in the Belleair Towers dining room have curated extensive menus full of nutrient-rich meals. We work tirelessly to develop meals that address aspects of our residents' health. Call our office to schedule a tour of our community.