Maryland is home to more than 450,000 seniors, making it important to understand senior living communities. These are communities where seniors can spend their days in a rich society together with neighbors and enjoy visits from loved ones.
One thing many of us wonder about when researching a community is senior dietary needs. How does the assisted living dietary program match up to rigid senior nutrition?
If you’re curious about finding nutritious meal plans with a new senior arrangement, we’re here to help. Read on for a quick overview of what sort of wholesome meals seniors need and how to ensure they’re available in your community of choice.
Changing Nutrition
As we age, our need for nutrition changes. Youth keeps us full of energy, and the younger digestive system is able to tackle hazards more easily. You likely remember spending your college days eating food that nowadays would leave you with heartburn and an aching stomach.
In adulthood, our metabolism slows and our food intake generally shifts to less heavy meals. By doing so, we can keep our bodies fed and energized. We also may change to more fiber-heavy meals or take multivitamins.
And as we reach seniority, our bodies become a bit pickier. Your taste buds will change, as will your digestive system. Fiber-heavy meals and other things to help our digestive tract along become necessary and pleasant.
What to Avoid
In seniority, there are a few things that we should try to cut out of our meals. Some ingredients can cause cardiovascular issues or digestive problems. Here’s what to avoid while planning your next steps.
Added Sugar
Sugar may be sweet, but there are some harsh effects sugar can have on the body. Added sugar has links to things like diabetes, which is more common in the elderly.
Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are also linked to excess sugar. Chronic inflammation, intense weight gain, and even premature aging can appear as symptoms.
Healthy, wholesome meals will keep sugar to a minimum. That isn’t to say that you should never have any – we all love a nice slice of cake every now and then. But keeping our sugar intake down will have great health benefits, especially for the elderly.
Saturated Fats
Saturated fats have a complex scientific definition, but here’s the gist: saturated fats can cause a variety of health issues for you. These health issues are most prevalent in cardiovascular problems.
An example of saturated fats are beef, pork, eggs, full-fat dairy products, and some tropical oils. Another term for these fats is “solid fats”, as they’re usually solid even at room temperature.
As with all things, avoiding saturated fats completely is rarely the goal. Some saturated fats are present in poultry, which is desirable as a lean source of protein, for example.
However, a high amount of saturated fats will raise your LDL cholesterol. As a result, your risk for heart disease and stroke increases, which is already a problem in the elderly.
A community that offers health care for elderly residents often makes sure that their wholesome senior nutrition avoids saturated fats. Do your best to understand what’s on the menu before you settle down for lunch.
High Sodium
Finally, sodium is something that our bodies need. Sodium helps our bodies maintain homeostasis and also helps in the regulation of fluids and blood pressure.
While these are good benefits, this is only the case if our bodies have the appropriate amount of sodium. If our bodies have too much sodium, things take a turn.
One example is that high sodium draws water into our bloodstream. As a result, our blood cells increase in volume, putting more pressure on our system.
High blood pressure increases the chance of stroke, heart failure, and more. Our blood pressure naturally rises as we age, so lessening the impact through a healthy amount of sodium is crucial.
Nutritious meal plans deliver the proper amount of sodium for our senior dietary needs. Keep an eye on your sodium intake to make sure your meals stay healthy.
Assuring Proper Nutrition
How can senior living communities make sure that the proper nutrition is reaching their residents? There are several ways this is accomplished, all of which you should keep your eyes open for while finding a community. Here are the ways we’re making sure our residents are receiving the right meals.
Personalized Dietary Plan
One of the best ways to ensure residents have the right nutrition is by personalizing their meals. A personalized dietary plan looks at the resident’s nutritional needs and balances a meal based on them.
For example, a personalized plan for a resident with high blood pressure may cut out extra sodium. It may add more protein for a resident working on muscle mass, or cut away fats for ones struggling with cardiovascular health.
All of these things are discussed with chefs and dieticians to make sure the proper nutrition is reaching the resident’s plate. It’s the best way to ensure that a wholesome diet is being met.
Friendly Service
Here at Seaton Hagerstown, we make the most of our time dining to turn the event into a social engagement. Our friendly tableside service comes from attentive and cheerful team members who not only know their nutrition but also their guests.
Our chef-prepared meals come from a kitchen staffed with culinary experts who are dedicated to making the most out of their nutritious meal plans. Our cuisines range from your homemade favorites all the way to international cuisines you’re eager to have on your plate. We encourage indulgence and enjoying your company as much as your incredible meal.
Mastering the Assisted Living Dietary Program
For an assisted living dietary program, it’s crucial to understand senior dietary needs. Understanding health care for elderly residents and how senior nutrition interacts with health will ensure you’re making the best decision for your health.
At Seaton Hagerstown, we understand that meals are as much about company and comfort as they are about senior nutrition. Our expert staff is dedicated to bringing you nutritious meals and maximizing your quality of life. Schedule a tour to see how Seaton Hagerstown can help you on your assisted living journey.
