Maintaining a healthy diet is crucial at all ages, but for seniors, it can be especially important. As we age, our bodies need key vitamins and nutrients to function properly. By eating a balanced diet, seniors can take care of their health. However, for those in assisted living, nutrition might seem challenging. If someone else is cooking your meals, how can you feel confident that what you’re eating is providing you with the nutrients you need? Learn some tips for maintaining a healthy diet at Summer’s Landing and what to look for in a senior living community’s dining options.
Assisted Living and Nutrition
The food we eat impacts how we feel. Eating too much or not enough can leave you lacking energy or feeling sluggish. And for seniors with medical issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or osteoporosis, the nutritional value of their meals can make a difference in their health.
Many assisted living programs offer numerous dining options each day. For residents, it can be difficult to know which foods to choose for healthy living. The following tips can help you navigate assisted living and nutrition needs:
- Choose meals that include whole foods like fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, and grains
- Eat a variety of foods to incorporate many nutrients into your diet
- Stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking water
- Talk to your doctor about your specific dietary needs
- Communicate with assisted living staff members about your nutritional requirements
- Share feedback with team members about meals you like and dislike
- During outings to stores, pick up healthy snacks to keep on hand
Many seniors require fewer calories as they age. This means that everything they eat should be nutrient-dense. By focusing on fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains, residents of assisted living communities can ensure that they are getting what they need out of their diet.
However, maintaining a balanced diet also means that you get to enjoy the foods you love. So don’t skip the ice cream or pastries entirely–just incorporate them every once in a while alongside your healthy meal choices.
Keeping up with Nutrition in Assisted Living Programs
A program that provides good senior living services will provide a wide variety of meal choices for residents. They will accommodate residents’ unique needs, rotate food options regularly, and adjust their menus according to resident preferences and feedback.
Before deciding on a senior living community, ask them about their dining services. If possible, take a tour of the facility and enjoy a meal in their dining room. By looking through the menu, you can see what kind of options they typically offer and whether or not they would meet your dietary needs.
Proper nutrition in assisted living is absolutely possible. Reach out to a senior living community near you today to learn more about their healthy living options for residents.
Healthy Living at Summer’s Landing
Summer’s Landing is committed to providing senior activities for healthy living at every turn. Residents stay active through exercise classes like yoga, engage their minds through educational programs and games, and enjoy chef-prepared meals made with the freshest ingredients.
We tailor our menus to doctor recommendations, individualize choices for every resident, and communicate regularly with our residents about their likes and dislikes. In addition to our exceptional dining services, residents in our community enjoy the following amenities:
- Wi-Fi
- Daily assistance with tasks like bathing and dressing
- Housekeeping services
- Enriching calendar of events
- Beauty and barbershop
- Emergency response buttons
- Fully-trained senior care staff
You can maintain healthy living habits in a senior care community. Learn more about assisted living and nutrition at Summer’s Landing by reaching out to our team today at 850.265.9829.
