3 Ways Assisted Living Can Help Older Adults Improve Their Diet

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There’s nothing quite as pleasant at the end of a long day as sitting down to a warm, home-cooked meal. However, traveling to the supermarket or preparing food for yourself later in life can be challenging, affecting your ability to meet your nutritional needs.

If you’re considering moving into an assisted living community, the quality of food and variety of meal choices can be a top concern because you shouldn’t have to sacrifice the foods you love during your retirement. Luckily, many assisted living communities offer a gourmet experience that should please even the most skilled home cooks. Read on to discover three ways assisted living can improve both your lifestyle and diet.

Assisted Living Reduces the Hassle of Meal Preparation

Traveling and shopping for groceries aren’t the most exciting activities, and most people don’t enjoy waiting in checkout lines every week. If mobility is becoming more difficult for you, completing these tasks may even become impossible, which can really put a damper on your culinary pursuits.

Simplifying chores and reducing burdens is where assisted living truly shines. The whole point of these communities is to make everyday tasks easier for you, including providing transportation to the grocery store or taking care of cleaning.

More importantly, you don’t have to give up your love of cooking if you’re still brimming with energy and culinary passion during your golden years. While assisted living communities prepare three nourishing and balanced meals each day, many also provide a full kitchen or at least a kitchenette in each apartment, making it convenient for you to do your own cooking.

Staff can help you acquire quality ingredients, allowing you to access the freshest produce and best cuts of meat with ease. They can also help to clean up afterwards, allowing you to enjoy the enjoyable parts of cooking without all the hassle.

Professional Chefs and Dietitians Provide a Restaurant-Style Experience

Let’s face it, nutrition is complex, and it’s hard to keep track of all the vitamins and minerals you need while avoiding processed foods. With assisted living, you don’t have to worry about that. Communities employ talented staff to ensure you have the energy and nutrients needed to pack more experiences into each day.

Dietitians are often at the forefront of the culinary experience in an assisted living community. Working with professional chefs, they help you receive the ideal number of meals and the right balance of nutrients to keep your body healthy.

However, one of the best aspects of assisted living is the restaurant-style dining experience offered by many communities. Choosing the right community can make every meal feel like a trip to your favorite bistro, with a menu which includes everything from delicious thick-cut steaks to crisp salads, perfect for those warm summer days. Some communities also have retro diners or ice cream bars where you can hang out with other residents and dine in style.

If you’d like to eat privately, you can usually choose to have food delivered to your apartment, just like room service at a fine hotel. Some communities even have private dining rooms you can book for when friends and family visit.

Caregivers Can Provide Dietary Assistance

If you’re unfamiliar with medical terms and jargon, deciphering your doctor’s food and lifestyle recommendations can be as challenging as reading their handwriting. Assisted living staff can help break down how you should eat to stay healthy, ensuring you’re not left scratching your head in confusion after your checkup.

Caregivers keep track of your physical condition, mental health and overall nutrition for you. By acting as the middleman between you and health professionals, they can let you focus on relaxing next to the pool while providing recommendations for portion sizes and other less interesting aspects of your nutrition.

The level of support is also highly adjustable. While you may not need much assistance with dining, it’s always good to know there’s someone to step in to slice your steak or help you walk comfortably to the patio for an al fresco breakfast if your needs do change in the future.

The Bottom Line

Transitioning to an assisted living environment shouldn’t mean you have to sacrifice the foods you love. The dietitians and chefs employed in resort-style homes can even make the experience feel similar to a luxury vacation. If you’re struggling to eat correctly or wish to share the dining experience with others, it may be a good idea to start looking at assisted living communities in your area. Life should be lived to the fullest. You don’t want your diet getting in the way.