The Importance of Good Nutrition at Senior Care Facilities

Senior care facilities can be havens for hope for those who can no longer care for themselves. One of the best amenities offered by senior care homes is catered nutritious meals. If you're looking for a future assisted living facility for your loved one, it's important to not underestimate how critical high-quality nutrition is.

Good nutrition is crucial for your mom, dad, or loved one’s health and overall well-being. From direct impacts on overall health to providing nutrients that can protect the immune system,  there are tons of reasons good, balanced food is non-negotiable at senior care facilities. Here's a look at just a few of them.

Improving and Maintaining Physical Health

Just like infants, toddlers, and children need different nutrients and food compared to adults, so do older people. Food that is nutrient-dense and contains vitamins and minerals can help seniors maintain their physical health, slow the progression of disease, and boost brain health. Here’s a look at why nutritious food is essential.

Surgery Recovery

Research shows that certain foods can help people recover after surgery, including protein-packed foods and those rich in vitamin C. If your loved one is in their golden years and is receiving surgical treatments, protein-packed meals can help them feel their best and recover after their procedures. That's why your senior living home should be aware of any dietary changes your loved one will need, whether for an upcoming surgery, changes in chronic illnesses, and other health reasons.

Nutrition Helps Seniors Physically Thrive

For seniors, getting access to healthy food can be a challenge if they're not in a senior living home. Fortunately, recent research shows that 76% of people who participate in meal programs at senior centers eat healthier foods and say their health has improved as a result of the nutrition program. If your loved feels it’s difficult to make healthy meals, a senior living home with catered meals can be a lifesaver.

A Balanced Diet Supports a Healthy Immune System

Your immune system is responsible for fighting illnesses and infections, and as you age, it becomes more important than ever to keep it functioning at its best. Healthy eating is one of the ways to support a strong immune system.

Senior living homes offer well-balanced meals rich in vitamins and minerals that support a healthy immune system, including:

• Vitamins A, B₆, B₁₂, C, D, E and folate
• Zinc
• Iron
• Selenium
• Magnesium and Copper
• Omega-3 Fatty acids

If your loved one has been struggling with frequently getting sick, slow-healing wounds, or overall poor health, moving them to a senior living home that provides nutritious food can help improve their immune system and overall health!

A Proper Diet Battles Chronic Illness

As we age, we're more susceptible to chronic illnesses like high blood pressure and diabetes. These conditions often require serious lifestyle changes, including different nutrition. Senior living homes offer meals that support residents with chronic illnesses.

For instance, a resident with diabetes will need a low-sugar and low-carbohydrate diet, while someone with high blood pressure should receive a low-sodium diet. These specialized diets can help control symptoms and prevent further health complications.

Improved Mental and Brain Health

In addition to physical health benefits, proper nutrition also plays a crucial role in maintaining good mental health in seniors. A well-balanced diet can help improve mood, reduce oxidative stress on the brain, and reduce inflammation.

For seniors, a healthy diet also improves cognitive health and prevents neurodegenerative diseases like dementia or Alzheimers. Mediterranean diets and a diet low in processed and refined sugars can help reduce the risk of these neurodegenerative disorders. In short, when you fuel your body with good food, you feel better inside and out.

Improved Quality of Life

With improvements in mental health, brain health, and physical health comes an overall improved quality of life. Eating a healthy diet can help increase energy levels, improve mood, reduce stress levels, and even delay the onset of life-changing disabilities.

You want what's best for your aging loved ones, which is why it's essential to find a senior living home that recognizes the importance of healthy eating. At a quality senior living facility, residents can expect to have access to nutritious and delicious meals that fit their new dietary needs and improve their health, even in the twilight of their lives.

About the Author

Mark Gladden is a U.S.veteran and the Founder and CEO of Present Moments Senior Living. Present Moments is a cozy, home-based residential care facility for the elderly with a tight-knit family of caregivers and residents. If you’re in the process of exploring long-term care for your aging loved one in San Diego, you can reach Present Moments Senior Living today at (442) 232-2824.