Eating a healthy diet helps to keep both our bodies and minds strong. When elderly people are living on their own, a healthy diet may be more difficult to achieve. Barriers such as the cost of healthy foods, transportation to the grocery store, changes in appetite, and the safety of cooking can all affect what seniors are eating. Medications can also interact with nutrients in food, causing side effects. When healthy eating for seniors becomes more challenging, it may be time to consider an assisted living community for your loved one.
A healthy life goes hand-in-hand with a healthy diet,
especially for senior citizens.
Healthy Meals Every Day at Twin Town Villa
Residents who live at the Twin Town Villa are ensured healthy, regular meals that are homemade. Three home-cooked meals plus healthy snacks are served daily in our beautiful dining room. The Director of Food Services prepares all of our meals fresh each day for our residents. Special diets are also available, depending on individual needs. When each resident first moves in, we meet with them and their family members to get a sense of what types of foods they like and which ones stir memories of the past. Our menus are created to optimize their health and prevent unplanned weight loss or lack of energy.
Communicating to Your Loved One about their Diet
Whether your loved one is living in their home or at an assisted living community, it is important to talk to them about their diet on a regular basis. This will give you an idea of how well it’s being managed and what is working for them. Communication with the person’s doctor, dietician, and other caregivers is also important in case changes need to be made. When your loved one is a resident at Twin Town Villa, our staff takes the time to get to know each person and what their diet plan and preferences are. This helps us to better meet his or her nutritional needs and emotional needs as well.
Healthy Eating for Seniors Living on their Own
- Using the Healthy Eating Plate as a guide, try to fill half your plate with vegetables, a quarter of your plate with grains, and the last quarter with protein.
- Adjust portion sizes as needed to maintain a healthy weight.
- Many older adults find that they have a bigger appetite in the morning. If needed, have a bigger breakfast in the morning, but a lighter dinner in the evening.
- Include dietary fiber in your diet to help normalize bowel function, decrease diabetes, and heart disease.
- Choose healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado, and nuts. Avoid saturated fats such as fatty red meat.
- Drink plenty of water every day to stay hydrated.
- If an elderly person has trouble getting out of their house or managing heavy grocery bags, they can also try a grocery delivery service. Meals on Wheels can also a useful resource in many communities.
When is the Right Time to Move into Assisted Living?
At Twin Town Villa in Breckenridge, MN, we offer not only healthy, delicious meals, but many more daily living services and amenities that will help your loved one thrive. Our community offers Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Care Suites to match the needs of each resident. We serve the communities near Wahpeton, ND, and Fergus Falls, MN. If you have questions about Senior Living options for your loved one or would like a tour of our community, please contact us online or call 218.643.9542.
We know that not only is the physical health of our residents important, but also their mental health. When loved ones visit our residents, it is often the highlight of their week. We are sad to have to enforce social distancing for our residents but know that it is crucial to their health. Other changes we have implemented include serving meals in their room instead of communal dining. However, rest assured, our residents are not isolated in their apartments during COVID-19.
Window Visits
Independent Living Communities are also commonly referred to as a retirement community. Seniors can rent or buy their retirement homes. Usually, senior residents in these communities don’t need help with daily living tasks, as most can take care of themselves. But, conveniences such as meals, house cleaning, laundry service or transportation may be available. Seniors who are independent, but don’t want to live alone would be a good fit for an Independent Living Community.