How Important Is the Dining Setup at an Assisted Living Facility?
We all have to eat. Most of us eat at least twice a day, or probably three times. As a person gets older, though, their nutritional and dining habits and needs may change. For somebody looking into assisted living, the dining facilities and options may not be at the top of their priority list, but it should be.
The dining options are incredibly important.
That’s a simple answer to the question posed in the title of this blog, but it’s true. There are several reasons why dining options at assisted living facilities are so important. We outline just three of them below.
Reason #1: It’s about nutrition.
As people age, it becomes increasingly important that they have the right nutrition for their specific health needs. Some people may need to avoid various ingredients or types of food. Others might need more of a certain vitamin or other nutrient.
When you have a generic cafeteria style eatery within an assisted living community, something akin to high school days where there were limited options, that isn’t going to do much for the body, especially when a person’s in their 70s or 80s.
With a nice dining facility and a well thought out menu, seniors and even their guests (from time to time) will have better options that will likely meet their specific needs.
Reason #2: Environment.
Imagine walking to the basement area of a facility and having to pick up an old, grungy looking plastic tray and then marching through a line picking up food and sitting down at plastic seats and chipped tables.
That won’t do much for the atmosphere of the dining facility nor the outlook and emotions of the seniors. However, what if those same seniors were able to sit in what is designed to be just like a regular, nice restaurant?
The environment can do a great deal to help lift spirits, encourage seniors, and help them feel more ‘at home.”
Reason #3: The ability to offer input.
When an assisted living facility has its own chef and a nice restaurant style dining facility, that means residents should be able to order what they want, even if they have specific requests due to dietary concerns or personal preferences.
Being able to offer their own input into the menu, food selections, and so forth is empowering.
These are the commonly overlooked aspects of assisted living that become so important for people when they’re considering this as an option for their future. When you take a tour of an assisted living facility, be sure to see what their dining options look like.
For more information about assisted living in Hill Country Village, TX, contact Pipestone Place Assisted Living or to take a tour, call today (210) 718-0211.
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