Eating a well-balanced diet as we age becomes more important to ward off health conditions and help you age gracefully. Unfortunately, 1 in 10 seniors doesn’t eat enough nutritious foods. A lot of factors can contribute to mature adults not eating healthily, from challenges with food preparation to lack of funds.
Choosing a retirement community in Glassboro can help seniors put their nutrition at the forefront. These communities hire highly-trained chefs who have experience creating meals packed full of the nutrients seniors are lacking.
This blog will discuss why you should explore senior living in Glassboro. We’ll focus on how these communities highlight senior nutrition and create healthy menus for their residents.
Why Is Proper Nutrition Important for Seniors?
Good nutrition is important for humans at any age. However, there are certain nutrients mature adults’ bodies tend to lack. Your diet will need to change as you get older to accommodate those changes.
For example, you may not need to eat as many calories as you used to. The calories you consume will need to be full of nutrients to ensure your body gets what it needs to continue performing. Some of the nutrients seniors need to focus on eating include:
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Folic acid/folate
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Fiber
- Omega-3 fats
Seniors also need to consume more protein. Protein, coupled with calcium, is essential for bone health.
Not having proper nutrition can result in various problems, including:
- Immune system deficiencies
- Depression
- Weight loss
Special Diets in Senior Living Communities
Retirement communities focus on the nutritional needs of seniors. They create senior wellness programs to better cater to the preferences and health needs of their residents.
Diabetic Diet
Around one in three adults over 65 have diabetes in the United States. Certain types of food, such as deep-fried foods and sugars, can cause seniors’ blood sugar levels to rise.
A diabetic diet can help residents keep their blood sugar levels in a safe range. A senior diet in Glassboro focuses on healthy fats, lead proteins, and high-fiber carbs.
Low-Sodium Diet
We need sodium for our bodies to function, but not a high amount of it. A high sodium diet can result in damage to some of the following areas:
- Eyes
- Brain
- Heart
- Kidneys
A low-sodium diet is a great choice for all seniors, especially for those dealing with high blood pressure. This type of diet can manage the risks caused by high blood pressure by reducing water retention and regulating the fluid volume of blood.
Plant-Based Diet
Some residents might request a plant-based diet for various reasons. This can include:
- Religious, cultural, or ethical reasons
- Potential health benefits
There are many plant-based diets available to residents. A vegan diet may exclude all animal byproducts and animals. The Mediterranean diet allows a small amount of eggs, dairy products, and chicken.
Renal Diet
Residents diagnosed with kidney problems may have to eat a renal diet. This type of diet focuses on limiting their consumption of the following items:
- Salt
- Potassium
- Phosphate
Eating smaller protein portions can help ensure a senior’s kidneys don’t have to work harder than they need to. Renal diets focus on homemade and fresh foods.
Texture-Modified Diet
A texture-modified diet is designed for residents who have problems swallowing or chewing. Food can be presented in various ways based on the resident’s requirements, such as:
- Liquidized
- Pureed
- Minced
- Bite-sized pieces
- Soft foods
Senior living communities can modify the texture of their meals to ensure their residents can safely get the nutrition they need.
How Senior Living Communities Provide Feeding Assistance
Another benefit of senior living communities is that they can provide feeding assistance to their residents. During the admission process, each resident’s nutrition status will be evaluated. This helps the community determine what type of diet they need and if they need any support in the dining room.
Some of the things a senior living community will look at include:
- If the resident needs close supervision
- Whether they can eat independently
- If they need complete feeding assistance
Senior living communities continue to monitor their residents to ensure they’re maintaining their food intake. They also deal with any nutritional issues that might arise in addition to evaluating their weight.
Loved ones need to have open lines of communication with the staff at senior living communities regarding the resident’s nutrition needs. Attending care plan meetings can give you a better insight into how they’re addressing the preferences of your loved ones.
How to Find the Best Senior Living Community That Addresses Nutrition
Proper research and planning can ensure that a resident finds a home that properly accommodates their dietary preferences and needs. We recommend reviewing the websites of the communities you’re looking at to see what they say about their nutrition programs.
You should also schedule tours of the communities before you decide on one. Come prepared with a list of the dietary needs of the potential resident. You should also have questions prepared to ask during the tour, such as:
- How are dietary needs managed and tracked?
- How do you address special dietary preferences and needs?
- How often do you switch up your menu?
- Can you share sample menus?
- Are there multiple choices offered at each meal?
- Do you provide feeding assistance?
- Does feeding assistance cost extra?
Having open conversations at each community, you visit will ensure your needs will be met by whichever community you choose.
Explore Senior Nutrition at a Retirement Community in Glassboro
Nutrition isn’t something that should be overlooked the older we get – it’s something that should be put more at the forefront. Eating a well-balanced diet ensures your body can ward off various health conditions and ensures you have the energy you need to do the things you love.
Healthy aging in Glassboro doesn’t have to be complicated. Senior living communities are designed to address every aspect of their residents’ health. This includes proper nutrition, socialization, and exercise.
Summit Place Assisted Living is a retirement community in Glassboro that offers numerous amenities. Our chefs prepare three healthy and delicious meals a day for our residents, helping you achieve optimal health. Contact our office to schedule a tour of our dining spaces.
