We all know that good nutrition is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. But as we get older, maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet can become a significant challenge. Older adults often experience age-related changes that impact their metabolism, sense of taste, and appetite, which in turn may cause them to skip meals or make unhealthy food choices.
Retirement communities understand the unique nutritional challenges faced by older adults and strive to make it easier for seniors to maintain healthy eating habits. Here are a few specific ways living in a retirement community can help older adults improve their nutrition, health, and wellbeing.
Gourmet, chef-prepared meals
It’s a common misconception that all senior living facilities have bland, unhealthy food. The truth is, many of today’s retirement communities offer a gourmet dining experience for their residents, serving high-quality meals that incorporate fresh, flavorful ingredients. Most communities have professionally-trained chefs who prepare delicious, made-from-scratch meals for residents to enjoy each day.
Access to expert nutrition advice
Retirement communities are held to high standards to ensure that the food they serve is not only delicious but that it also meets the nutritional requirements older adults need to stay healthy. Most communities have an on-site nutritionist who helps review the menus and provides nutrition consultations for residents as needed. Residents with special diets or restrictions can rest assured that their needs will be accommodated for each meal.
Eating together is better
Studies show that eating alone has hidden dangers, especially for older adults. Eating every meal in isolation can increase one’s risk of loneliness, depression, and anxiety, which may in turn lead to loss-of-appetite, unhealthy eating patterns, and even malnutrition. Seniors who live alone may also struggle to prepare meals on their own due to limited mobility or cognitive challenges. On the other hand, when dining with others in a social setting, seniors tend to eat more and make healthier choices.
In retirement communities like Bethany Village, dining is more than eating a meal, it’s a lively social experience! Retirement communities give seniors the opportunity to gather together and enjoy their meals in an inviting community atmosphere that promotes friendship and social interaction. Ultimately, eating in a community setting has positive benefits for seniors’ physical, mental, and emotional health.
If you’re ready to start looking for a retirement community for yourself or a loved one, we encourage you to take a tour and stay for a meal. Not only will you be able to assess the variety and quality of the food served, but you’ll also have a chance to interact with the staff and other residents.
