As we age, our body, lifestyle, and nutritional requirements shift, requiring the proper support. An assisted living facility (ALF) offers this support, helping your loved one thrive and delivering peace of mind for all. Here are the top three nutritional perks of life in an ALF.
1) Expert Nutrition Management
Seniors face several challenges that can lead to undernutrition. Education is vital if you are a relative or friend who is shopping and cooking for a senior. As adults age, they require fewer calories but increased amounts of specific nutrients like vitamin D. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tells us this is due to less physical activity, changes in metabolism, and age-related bone and muscle mass loss.
Tailored Nutrition Plans for Seniors
Some seniors who can take care of themselves are responsible for ensuring they get the proper nutrition. It is not uncommon for a senior, especially one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, to forget to eat. It is imperative to get the proper nutrients in addition to fluids every day, multiple times a day.
ALFs combat several food-related issues that negatively impact seniors’ health. They provide well-balanced and tailored meals specific to their residents’ dietary needs, and the benefits do not end there. Aside from the necessary nutrition goals, seniors may also have chewing and swallowing problems and may need assistance eating.
Customization at Weinberg Village Assisted Living
The dietary program at Weinberg Village Assisted Living in Tampa is tailored to the unique requirements of each resident, which is an enormous benefit of an aging facility. Executive Chef Travis Lian collaborates with dietitians to create individualized menus based on the dietary requirements of ALFs.
“We customize the nutrition plans for the residents at Weinberg Village to ensure they receive a healthy and well-balanced meal,” says Chef Lian. “We prepare low or no sodium, alternative diabetic, non-dairy, and vegetarian options while keeping a kosher kitchen that follows the dietary restrictions set forth by traditional Jewish law.”
For those residents who may experience difficulty with chewing and swallowing, Chef Lian offers pureed, mechanical soft, and chopped diets. When asked how he manages and tracks the details of each resident’s dietary requirements, Chef Lian explained he uses electronic health records (EHR), a system that allows chefs and dietitians to receive real-time alerts, warnings for weight loss or gain, and reminders.
2) Nutritional Impact of Social Connections
Several studies reveal the adverse effects of eating alone, including decreased quality and quantity of food intake, oral frailty, and depressive symptoms. Socialization is imperative for seniors, especially at mealtime. The National Library of Medicine confirms that eating alone can lead people to eat poorly, resulting in many unhealthy conditions. The National Library of Medicine also found that social relationships affect health and can also influence dietary behavior.
Building Community Through Shared Meals
Most residents at an ALF eat together with other residents, fostering a sense of community. This is a time to enjoy healthy food specially prepared for them in a social setting where they can build friendships and combat loneliness.
Sensory impairments, poor oral health, isolation, loneliness, and depression, individually or in combination, all increase the risk of undernutrition in older age, according to the World Health Organization. An ALF setting reduces the effects of aging from the inside out.
At Weinberg Village Assisted Living, shared meals provide opportunities for social connections with not only fellow residents but also family and staff, contributing to the overall well-being of residents.
3) Peace of Mind for All
As your loved one ages, you want to be there to care for them, meeting all their necessities while providing the love, care, and respect they deserve. This takes planning, time, knowledge, and patience, which is not always readily available.
When to Consider Assisted Living
Difficulty performing activities of daily living (ADLs) is a sign it may be time to think about alternative options, such as an assisted living facility. A U.S. National Health Interview Survey determined that 20.7% of adults aged 85 or older, 7% aged 75 to 84, and 3.4% aged 65 to 74 needed help with ADLs.
Some examples of ADLs include:
- Getting in and out of bed
- Personal hygiene
- Bathing or showering
- Getting dressed
- Eating
- Walking or climbing stairs
Knowing that your loved one is getting the nutrition, support, care, and socialization they require alleviates the stress from family members who are not able to provide what an ALF can. No one wants to feel like a burden, and while living outside the home can be challenging at first, it creates health and wellness for all parties.
Signs It’s Time to Consider Senior Care
How do you know when the right time is to consider senior care? Forbes.com says if you notice the following changes in your loved one:
- Withdrawing from social interactions
- Forgetting to take medication
- Experiencing persistent mood changes
- Refusing medical attention
- Leaving the stove unattended
- Neglecting personal hygiene
- Hoarding items
- Neglecting basic housekeeping needs
- Acting or speaking in a confused manner
- Wearing unsuitable clothing for the weather
The Role of ALFs in Senior Nutrition and Well-Being
Every age and stage requires a different path of nutrition in order to blossom, and several factors, aside from the food they consume, can lead to undernutrition in seniors. Assisted living facilities can positively impact the health of seniors through diet, activities, and a sense of community.
Learn More
Learn more about Weinberg Village Assisted Living in Tampa and sign up for a tour.
Written by Barry Levine
Barry Levine, PhD, is the former Editor and Executive Publisher of Florida Health Care News. During his 50-plus years in health care and healthcare publishing, he has written and published thousands of articles on a wide variety of medical and healthcare topics and has been a ghostwriter with articles published in numerous national medical/health journals.
