Moving to an assisted living community can swiftly result in positive changes for a person who needs assistance with daily living tasks. Family members are relieved to see improvements in their loved one's mood, cognition, and physical abilities. One common reason for this is a significant boost in healthy eating with a variety of nutritious foods.

Problems With Convenience Foods

Many senior citizens who become disabled to a certain extent begin relying almost completely on frozen and canned meals. Often, these products are high in sodium and do not provide adequate nutrition. Disabled men and women may find it difficult to prepare meals from scratch with fresh produce. For instance, a weak or painful grip can make chopping carrots or peeling an orange arduous.

Private Kitchens and Common Areas

An assisted living community may have apartments with kitchens so the residents can prepare their own meals and snacks when they feel like it. They also can eat healthy, well-balanced meals with friends and visitors in a common area. Many individuals quickly find that eating in a common area is a welcome opportunity to experience this as a social event again. This social experience often is lost when older men and women no longer have a spouse and adult children do not live in the area. 

Sometimes a resident might prefer to have food delivered from the cafeteria if he or she feels a bit under the weather. This also could be an option if the person simply wants some privacy. Not everyone wants to have company for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Customization

Customization of the diet to effectively address health disorders can be important. This also may have been lacking when the individual lived alone at home. For example, a resident with Type 2 diabetes that has proved difficult to manage could benefit from a diet low in carbohydrates with no processed meat. Having a variety of options on the daily menus or in a cafeteria line is helpful for people who need a more specialized eating plan. 

Concluding Thoughts

Families may feel somewhat troubled after realizing that a loved one should move to an assisted living community. However, when they see the improvements that occur once this person is living a healthier lifestyle, they feel relieved about the decision. With nutritious, tasty food available every day and more opportunities for mealtime socializing, the situation is a positive one. Relatives may reach out to communities in their area to learn more about the dietary services and other features.

To learn more, contact an assisted living facility.