How to Navigate Dining Options in Assisted Living

In recent years, more senior individuals have been investigating healthier dining options, and locations like Hitchcock Farms have confirmed that nutritious food is in vogue. Do significant trends like these confirm that more people want more healthy meals and more control over their food options in assisted living?

So, how do you ensure you get the meals you want and need as you investigate senior nutrition options in an assisted living space?

Below, we run through several of the ways you can ensure you get the right intake by discussing how locations like LakeHouse Coldwater can offer you:

• Better dining options
• Specialized and personalized menus
• Communal dining experiences
• High-quality cuisine
• Nutritional excellence

So, keep reading to discover more about how we can give you the best dining on offer.

Dining Options In Assisted Living

Assisted living dining often promotes a heart-healthy diet and more social interaction through communal meals for seniors. Several eating options include activities like set meal times to create a sense of routine and regular group gatherings in which seniors can enjoy the company of the same residents each time. As over 20% of residents in such communities need help eating, this can also ensure that staff are available at the right time to assist with any specific requirements.

Professional culinary staff prepare dishes in assisted living environments to ensure they remain fresh and nutritious at every mealtime. Snacks and beverages are also available throughout the door, stored in a shared resident kitchenette area, to allow residents to access smaller bites when they feel peckish or crave a specific taste.

In general, the emphasis during such an experience is to try to foster an enjoyable dining experience where all residents feel as though they have access to anything they might need and only start to get hungry when they are about to eat.

Types Of Dining Services Offered

At LakeHouse Coldwater, we pride ourselves on offering a restaurant-style experience. We offer a menu of diverse meal options daily for residents to enjoy. Our meals are freshly prepared, and we serve them at scheduled times to align with the community's dietary needs and preferences. These steps align with research by eMenuChoice, which espouses personalized meals as among the latest beneficial changes in senior meal preparation.

Those living with us can also enjoy the elegant communal space we provide for eating, designed for comfort and to encourage conversation between residents. The main dining room is a central space where residents can enjoy their meals, although outdoor spaces also exist for both relaxation and special events.

By using our main space for meals, we create reliability in the meals:

• Time
• Location
• Comfort level
• Surroundings
• Community

Together, each of these facets creates an experience residents can trust will improve their daily lives, even if they wish to try a new meal or change their dietary plan moving forward.

Specialized Menus For Dietary Needs

At LakeHouse Coldwater, we respect each resident's specific dietary needs. Whether that be for reasons of:

• Health
• Personal preferences
• Taste
• Religion
• Culture
• Allergies

We aim to focus our meals on avoiding the restrictions individuals have to guarantee the best experience possible. Staff work closely with residents to understand these factors and alter meals to accommodate them.

Our team of culinary experts will also offer balanced nutrition while respecting individuals' tastes and needs. As such, a senior resident will not lose out on specific vitamins or minerals due to an allergy, for example.

Addressing Specific Dietary Requirements

We ensure to meet our residents' nutritional needs based on the individual. For example, we provide meals that target low-sodium or gluten-free diets. If someone needs diabetic-friendly options or even snacks to adjust their blood sugar levels, we can provide them, too. A report from a dietician can also help us gain a focused understanding of a resident's unique nature and accommodate that, too.

In some cases, meal preferences may even be related to texture or toughness. Our culinary team can work with the resident to determine the individual's needs in this regard and adjust their cooking steps to accommodate any such requirements.

Alternatively, we may also need to investigate weight loss in seniors and determine whether they need to increase or decrease their body fat. When this occurs, we will seek medical advice before altering an individual's diet to accommodate such a plan.

Communicating Resident Dietary Needs

At any time, a resident may wish to provide input on meals, ensuring we hear their preferences. At the same time, we take in feedback from:

• Families
• Staff
• Clinicians
• Residents
• Peers

By gathering such a rounded view of senior residents' needs, we can help meet the health and taste requirements of everyone who enjoys their time in our community.

During the onboarding process, we will gather input to enhance the individual's meals, and feedback mechanisms exist to allow people to voice suggestions later. As culinary staff get to know the individuals in residence, they may also add personal touches to enhance the overall dining experience.

Over time, menu updates will also offer an opportunity to try seasonal ingredients and update resident preferences, with transparent communication ensuring residents are always apprised of what to expect at every meal.

Family Dining Options

By communicating beforehand, we can even accommodate family members who want to enjoy a meal with their beloved relative. We can organize seating to provide opportunities for residents and families to connect, which can help keep bonds strong. During the holidays, this can further ensure that those in residence feel included and linked to their families.

We welcome messages ahead of time to ensure our staff are ready for such visits and to ensure the smoothest meal experience we can provide. Contact our staff for more information on exactly the information we may want or need.

Discover Exceptional Dining At LakeHouse Coldwater

Dining at LakeHouse Coldwater means enjoying nutritious, high-quality meals in a welcoming community. Alongside structured meal times and options to cater to various needs and preferences, we foster a meal experience residents can always rely on.

To learn more about our assisted living dining options or to explore our vibrant resident lifestyle, get in contact. Our team is committed to delivering a rewarding and satisfying way for those in our care to connect and enjoy each day.