It doesn’t matter what age someone is – you can’t overlook the importance of good nutrition. This is especially true as more and more people focus on their health. According to a Food and Health survey, 52% of people surveyed had some type of custom diet integrated into their lifestyle.
Residents in assisted senior living often have complex nutritional needs. This includes low-sodium diets, special diabetic meal plans, and pureed food options in certain instances. If understanding the dietary needs for seniors seems tricky, this article offers plenty of great senior nutrition tips.
Understanding Nutritional Needs
The USDA MyPlate explains that older adults – anyone over the age of 60 – have unique nutritional needs. These nutritional needs work to stave off disease and aim to keep existing conditions under control. This is why they need meal plans to reduce the incidence of chronic disease.
Some diseases and conditions include (but aren’t limited to):
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
Seniors also need certain vitamins and nutrients in their meal plans. For example, this might include:
- Potassium
- Calcium
- B12
- Dietary Fiber
- Vitamin D
Vitamin B12 is important because, as people age, their bodies absorb this vitamin less. If they take medicine, it can also affect whether their body absorbs vitamin B12. But protein-fortified foods work to provide the B12 they need.
Foods with B12 include:
- Eggs
- Milk
- Beef
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Trout
- Fortified Cereal
Dietary restrictions must be considered when selecting from this list of food options.
Older adults are also encouraged to stay hydrated and to remain active as a means of contributing to a healthy lifestyle.
Dietary Adjustments
To prevent age-related disease, custom dietary plans are created. Assisted living communities work to create low-sugar meal plans, along with diets crafted for diabetics. Certain foods might be plant-based to accommodate a variety of food restrictions and, in certain instances, meals are modified to accommodate textures.
When seniors have access to the appropriate diet, it can reduce the likelihood that they’re malnourished or experience chronic disease.
Dietary adjustments also benefit seniors who have:
- Difficulty chewing
- A reduced appetite
- Don’t absorb nutrients that well
When custom diet plans are introduced, seniors are exposed to a healthy lifestyle, affecting their day-to-day lives.
Nutritional Care in Assisted Living
Seniors in assisted living are provided nutritional care from a dedicated trained staff. These staff members work with dieticians and members of a culinary team to curate the best meals possible. These meals not only adhere to a wide range of dietary restrictions, but they’re also tasty and delicious.
When seniors have well-rounded, quality diets, it can promote a healthy lifestyle and help individuals make better food choices.
Best Types of Foods for Seniors
A healthy aging diet is varied and uses certain ingredients sparingly. It limits or restricts the following:
- Added sugar
- Saturated fats
- Sodium
Seniors must receive enough protein. This helps them to maintain their muscle. The best way to get protein is by eating:
- Seafood
- Dairy
- Fortified soy products
- Peas
- Lentils
- Beans
A qualified chef and dedicated team of professionals will work to create a delicious meal plan that limits problematic foods and focuses on whole ingredients with plenty of added benefits.
Older adults should also eat fruits and vegetables as snacks and with meals. Any senior who needs assistance with chopping, slicing, or cutting their food (when not dining in a communal location) would benefit from canned, frozen, or other prepared options that don’t require any prep work.
Adjusting Diet Plans
Diet plans can easily be adjusted to fit a variety of needs and taste preferences.
According to NCBI, the elderly experience altered sensory perception. This makes it more difficult for them to eat, as patterns in food behavior tend to change. One of the best ways to adjust a senior diet plan is by offering a variety of soft, moist, and smooth food options.
The same applies to older adults with problems chewing and even swallowing. This means that certain foods are no longer safe for them to eat, necessitating the need for soft foods. Additionally, these adults may need their food to be ground up or minced so they can more easily consume it.
To adjust their diet plans, provide the elderly with foods such as:
- Pudding
- Yogurt
- Cooked cereal
If foods are too dry, it’s possible to add different sauces or gravies, keeping meals moist and easy to swallow while adding some extra flavor. Pureed diets are ideal for older adults with any type of swallowing issue.
Anyone on a pureed diet needs additional accommodations to ensure food is appealing. This means that foods should be vibrant and aromatic. To increase a person’s enjoyment while eating a pureed diet, be sure to make pureed foods as tasty and inviting as possible, regardless of their consistency.
Socializing Plays An Important Role in Nutrition
One of the best parts of mealtime is the socialization that comes with it. This means that when meal planning for seniors, consider an older adult’s environment.
By doing this, you can provide them with the best dining experience possible. Yes, meals are a time to gain crucial nourishment, but they’re also a time to connect with others, deepen bonds, and empower aging. The same holds true for social activities in senior communities.
Adults in assisted living communities need a warm and welcoming space to break bread with other residents. This not only promotes their nutritional well-being but also their emotional well-being.
It’s also important to incorporate special occasions into communal meals. For example, use meals to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and more, working to foster a sense of community and encourage residents to engage in meal time. Residents can enjoy foods from a custom dining menu while celebrating one another.
Assisted Senior Living Nutritional Needs
Residents of assisted senior living communities may have special food requirements, such as low-sodium diets and low-sugar diets. Certain residents may also require a pureed diet. All seniors benefit from protein and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Although the elderly’s nutritional needs mainly focus on tangible ingredients, you can’t overlook the importance of dining somewhere they feel safe and comfortable. Meadowview Place Assisted Living has everything an older adult could need and more. Contact us today to learn more about our active community.
