Residents in retirement communities place a high value on mealtimes because they provide them with an opportunity to interact socially and have access to healthy food. Retirement communities have a responsibility to serve its residents with nutrient-dense, individualized meals. These include a wide range of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins on this list.
The nutritional advantages of assisted living in Graham, NC are explored in the following article:
Importance of Nutrition for Older Adults
Healthy eating is important at any age. However, the elderly have an increased probability of developing potentially fatal diseases and illnesses without enough nutrients. Elderly people who do not get enough to eat are more likely to get sick from the common cold and other viruses because they lose weight, feel depressed, and have a weakened immune system. Over 5.5 million older adults are food insecure or malnourished, according to the National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging. Your or a loved one’s health could be at jeopardy if you do not get enough to eat, or if unhealthy options are selected.
How Assisted Living Supports Residents’ Nutritional Needs
When it comes to the elderly’s health and nutrition, retirement communities have a firm grasp on the challenges they encounter. Living in a retirement community can aid older adults in several ways toward achieving a healthier lifestyle, including the ones listed below.
- Improves Mood
Reducing stress levels in the body is one benefit of eating healthy carbohydrate-rich foods. Researchers at the Missouri State Medical Association reported in 2016 that low-carb diets were associated with increased rates of depression, sorrow, and weariness. Researchers still have a lot to learn about the effects of food on our mental health beyond mood and well-being. Despite the fact that there is still a lot to learn, there are steps that assisted living takes to enhance their residents’ diet.
- Make sure they exercise every day for at least 15 to 30 minutes.
- Helping them stay hydrated, by encouraging to drink lots of water throughout the day.
- Getting them to eat more whole grains and less processed sugar at every meal.
- Encouraging participation in group activities such as volunteering, joining a club, or attending events to keep the mind sharp.
- Strengthens Memory
The retirement community meal plan can do wonders for your everyday mental health and wellness if you choose to live there. Homocysteine levels can be lowered by eating foods high in B vitamins including B-6 and B-12 as well as niacin (B-3) and folic acid. Memory issues can be fought off in part by eating foods like leafy greens, unprocessed grains, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Promotes Healthy Immune System
A strong immune system can fend off harmful pathogens like germs and viruses. However, inflammation is just one of several health issues that can result from eating poorly. Assisted living serves residents with a variety of foods from each food group that is essential for them to keep their immune systems in good shape. Fruits, vegetables, and low-fat foods are several examples.
- Manages Weight Control
To help residents maintain a healthy weight and metabolic rate, retirement communities prepare meals low in saturated fats and moderate in unsaturated fats. Portion control is essential for older individuals who are trying to maintain a healthy weight, as doing so helps them avoid eating too much of any single food item.
