A recent showed that most residents in assisted living environments need limited assistance with certain important aspects of life, including bathing, toileting, and eating. The study also proved that more than half of them require help with more than one of these activities in their day-to-day lives.
Today, we’re focusing on eating and why healthy meals make such a tremendous difference in your loved one’s life. We’ll also share how Commonwealth Royale Senior Living goes the extra mile to ensure residents not only receive assistance to reach these meals but also how we provide nutrient-dense foods that are delicious and enjoyable for all.
4 Reasons Why Healthy Meals Are Crucial in Assisted Living
Nutrition is the cornerstone of well-being, regardless of age. However, nutrient-dense meals become even more important as we age, making them an integral part of any top-notch assisted living facility.
Let’s take a closer look at why nutrition is so paramount for those living in assisted living:
1. Boosted Physical Health
A strong body that’s able to tackle illnesses, heal from injuries or disease, and retain proper function starts from the inside out. The best way to get there is to ensure you’re eating the right nutrients, which come directly from the foods we eat.
While this is crucial at any stage of life, it becomes more important during the older years. As we age, the body’s ability to fight, heal, and function diminishes, which can lead to issues such as osteoporosis and heart disease. A nutrient-dense diet can help combat this.
2. Improved Cognitive Function
Although a nutrient-dense diet is the gateway to a healthy, strong, and fully functional body, that’s not all they’re good for; they’re also great for brain health.
Proper nutrition can help seniors fend off common cognitive and mental problems, such as memory loss, difficulty with focusing, and foggy mental clarity.
3. Healthy Weight
Unfortunately, weight gain tends to go hand in hand with old age. This is due to a number of factors, from a decrease in muscle mass and physical activity to a slower metabolism. Excessive weight is a tremendous issue for elderly individuals, becoming a risk factor for certain chronic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers – all of which fall under the top ten leading causes of death in the United States.
While exercise and physical activities can help to combat weight gain, another excellent way to stay at a healthy weight is with a proper diet.
As a bonus, a diet geared toward managing weight can also help other common issues of older age, such as malnutrition and dehydration.
4. Socialization
While healthy meals make a difference internally, from organ and cognitive function to bone and muscle health, did you know it’s also a great way for elderly individuals to engage socially with others?
Dining is oftentimes a social experience for those in assisted living facilities. During mealtime, residents are brought to the dining area (either independently or with assistance). Here, they can enjoy their meal while interacting and socializing with other guests. This can help reduce the feeling of loneliness that’s common among residents in these facilities.
Healthy Meals Make All the Difference
Healthy meals are an important aspect of caring for elderly individuals in assisted living facilities, and Commonwealth Royale Senior Living understands that. That’s why our staff is composed of professional and talented chefs who handcraft nutritious meals utilizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients. We take pride in offering meals that are designed to fit individual needs and desires, too, ensuring our residents get a meal they can safely and comfortably enjoy.
Contact us today to find out how we serve our guests healthy and delicious meals in a setting that encourages friendship, relaxation, and conversation. Call us at (213) 382-6381 to book a tour or visit www.ComRoy.com to learn more about our dining and senior living accommodations.
