Against the standard way of serving meals in assisted living communities, these communities are now embracing family-style dining. Family-style dining is when food is served on the table, and residents serve themselves. It is similar to the dining option at home, where families sit down to dine together. It is a trend that is now being adopted by different retirement communities.
This is because the family dining option has changed the way aging adults eat and also improved their health condition. These are some things your loved ones can expect from assisted living dining option:
Socialization
According to several studies, socialization is beneficial to your loved ones as it positively impacts their well-being. Aging adults with stronger social bonds have a higher tendency to live happy and healthy life. On the other hand, lack of social connection is associated with health declines like high blood pressure, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and slower wound healing.
Aging adults can discuss their days with other people, and this will allow them to create a meaningful connection with other residents. In addition, they can discuss food which will eventually lead to other discussions. A family dining option encourages socializing over meals as residents ask each other to pass dishes.
Personalized Meal Plan
Another perk of family-style dining options is the option to personalize meal plans. In addition to chef-prepared meals, casual meals, and snacks, communities offer food according to the needs of your loved ones. For example, communities have meal plans that are specifically made for aging adults that need lower sodium, fat, and calories.
Irrespective of the meals included in the community’s dining option, residents will always find a portion of food suitable for their health and taste. Also, the meal timetable is flexible, so residents can eat when it is most comfortable for them. This will also allow residents to choose from different food items available.
Professional Chefs
Quality food is essential to the physical and mental health of residents in assisted living communities. This explains why many primary caregivers are so particular about dining options in assisted living options. Retirement communities use professional chefs to prepare food to meet people’s expectations. These chefs have years of experience making healthy and tasty meals.
In addition, they understand how to incorporate different food into menus for residents to enjoy different meals. Aside from preparing tasty foods, they also created meal plans to accommodate the special dietary needs and preferences of residents. This can include personalizing meal plans for residents with diabetes or other health complications.
Greater Satisfaction
Above all other things, the satisfaction and the overall comfort of residents are very important. These communities understand dining service is important to ensuring residents are generally satisfied. Assisted living communities to offer dining options aimed at ensuring residents have a true homey feeling.
This explains why they include current food trends to offer aging adults more dining options. This broad selection of food allows them to have more autonomy over what they eat, leading to higher satisfaction.
