After a hard day’s work, even young, healthy people struggle with trying to figure out what to eat for dinner. The thought of getting up and cooking something for yourself can sound exhausting. Even the chore of going grocery shopping sometimes can be hard. Groceries can be heavy, and if you don’t have a car, it could be difficult to go to the grocery store and get exactly what you need because you have to be able to transport it back to your home or apartment.
Now consider this: you’re a senior on a limited income, or unable to drive, and struggle with Alzheimer’s or dementia. How are you going to even be able to get to the grocery store, much less cook for yourself? Many times this chore is taken over by a loved one who can help prepare meals or come over to help cook. However, a senior’s loved ones aren’t always able to be with them twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This is why senior living communities, like Astoria’s Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Omaha, are so vitally important to our senior loved ones. They help to fill in the gaps where a loved one may be unable to.
1. Most centers have a registered dietitian on staff
Most people know what they like and don’t like in the way of food, but what tastes good and what is healthy may not necessarily be the same. You should feel free to enjoy the foods that you love, but you should always add something to it to make it a little bit more healthy and better for your body. That’s what the dietitians on staff are doing for your senior loved ones when they’re in a senior community like Astoria’s Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Omaha.
A registered dietitian is going to be able to help figure out what exactly it is that your senior loved ones need to be healthy. They’ll be able to help create a personalized meal plan, and can help assist the kitchen in coming up with meals to help promote healthy eating amongst all of the residents of the community.
Not only will your senior loved one be getting all of the nutrients they need to live a healthy life, it’s going to taste great too. That will encourage them to eat more!
2. There are plenty of options to choose from
Senior living communities often have many different options of food to choose from when it comes to meal times. While it may not necessarily be a buffet style kind of meal, there is sure to be something that your loved one will like out of the options for that evening. In fact, to avoid any kind of confusion or food waste, senior living communities will often ask your loved one what they’d like to have from a preset menu earlier in the day. That way, your loved one can enjoy something hot and fresh, while still getting what they want.
There is always going to be something for your loved ones to eat. It may be something as simple as a hamburger or sandwich, but they are always going to have something to eat. Your loved ones may also enjoy having their favorite snacks or drinks in their room or apartment, but living in a senior living community is going to ensure that they never go hungry.
3. Dining as a social activity
Many seniors, especially those who struggle with Alzheimer’s and dementia, can sometimes have a hard time remembering to eat. Or, if they do eat, it’s a very limited amount of food.
Living at a senior living community, however, opens the door to having dining as a social activity every night for your senior loved one. Being around others who are also eating and enjoying the food, will encourage your senior to take a more active interest in eating. This can also help promote better eating habits.
4. No worries about food insecurity
One of the biggest benefits to having your senior loved one live in a community like Astoria‘s Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Omaha is that they are going to have something to eat no matter what. So many seniors struggle with food insecurity because they simply aren’t able to take care of themselves anymore. They aren’t able to drive to the grocery store, they can’t pick up the heavy groceries, and they certainly aren’t able to load them into their kitchen and put them away. This is especially true for seniors who struggle with other factors as well, like a fixed income or lack of transportation.
When your loved one lives in a senior living community, you never have to worry about if they have food or not. There is someone on staff to make their food for them, to do all of the grocery shopping, and to handle all of the cleaning. They’re well taken care of and it’s one less thing for you and your loved one to worry about.
Staying Healthy While Eating Deliciously at Astoria’s Alzheimer and Dementia Care in Omaha
Astoria’s Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Omaha understands the importance of good nutrition for all of our senior residents. We understand how difficult it can be to make sure that your senior loved one is eating properly and taking care of themselves. We want to help you feel safe and secure in the thought that not only is your loved one being well taken care of, they’re enjoying healthy and delicious meals three times a day – every day.
If you’re interested in getting more information about Astoria’s Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Omaha, contact us and schedule a tour today!