Dining in Senior Living

Blog Category: Lifestyle

Quality meals with quality people are the heart of any community. When exploring your senior living options, research the following ways they may elevate the dining experience for all.

Dining Options

We all have different daily routines, so it’s important the senior living community offers a variety of dining options that conveniently support your lifestyle and budget, such as:

  • Event or intimate dining spaces
  • Grab-and-go dining and takeout
  • Happy hours
  • On-site cooking demos and classes
  • Outdoor dining
  • Restaurant-style dining
  • Special trips and outings to local dining establishments
  • Themed dining and entertainment

Unique Healthy Meals

Senior living communities strive to enhance your physical wellness with food that is both nourishing and memorable through:

  • Dietary needs and personalized menus, such as diabetic, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan
  • Fresh ingredients from a variety of food groups, including fiber, fruit, protein, vegetables, and whole grains
  • Holiday or seasonal menus and cultural dishes

Technology Integration

The technology in senior living communities can span from health monitoring, wifi and computer access, and enhanced dining services:

  • Digital menus and feedback surveys to track preferences and enhance offerings
  • Hospitality robot servers that deliver food and even sing you Happy Birthday
  • Online ordering systems and payment options for convenience
  • Smart kitchens that increase cooking and meal preparation efficiency for staff

Connection

The dining experience truly is the heart of the community that promotes social wellness and connects us all in a variety of ways:

Get a Taste of Dining in Senior Living

Excellent meals make a big difference in our quality of life as we age, so be sure to experience senior living dining at key opportunities before moving in:

  • Arrange a senior living tour where you can have a meal and talk with residents and staff about their dining options
  • Take advantage of being on the senior living waitlist by having meals with your future neighbors
  • Visit loved ones in different senior living communities and compare the quality of the dining and opportunities to fight social isolation

Ask Questions

One of the best ways to advocate for your senior living experience is to ask questions and express your meal wishes with the professional culinary chef or dietician on site:

  • Do you offer multiple entrees?
  • Who does the food selection?
  • Do you cater to specialized diets, such as gluten-free?
  • What’s the experience in each venue?
  • Do you have flexible dining options?
  • Can I schedule a meal as part of my tour?

Want to make the most of your meals? Check out our free ebook, Nutritional Culinary Tips for Seniors!

At Life Enriching Communities (LEC), we’re committed to ensuring patrons feel well-equipped to plan their future and age how they wish. Explore more resources on senior living or contact us today to learn more about our legacy of services and programs that bring meaning and purpose to every stage of life.