Assisted Living Food Menus

Nutrition in Assisted Living

Elderly man shopping in local supermarket. He is holding a box and reading the nutrition label.

Unintentional weight loss can be a problem for seniors,1 and poor eating habits can increase the risk of frailty.2 So assisted living community chefs and dietitians work hard to find a balance between more therapeutic meals, which might ease symptoms of or help prevent certain health conditions, and serving the comfort foods residents enjoy to ensure they’re eating enough each day.

There are different types of therapeutic diets. Some help promote weight gain, reduce salt, or improve kidney health, and others might include texture modifications for residents who have trouble chewing or swallowing. Some therapeutic diets are high in fiber or high in protein.3

The American Dietetic Association has long promoted a “liberalized diet” in long-term care facilities. A liberalized diet helps preserve assisted living residents’ quality of life by making sure they enjoy their food.4 In other words, sometimes it’s more important that older adults with health challenges eat regularly rather than adhere to a restrictive diet that’s technically healthier.

That’s not to say that healthy meals can’t be delicious! Many assisted living communities offer nutrient-packed meals that help prevent vitamin deficiencies and improve cognition without sacrificing flavor. Below are some of the different types of healthy dietary plans available in assisted living communities.

DASH Eating Plan

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet can help lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, which research suggests can help lower the risk for heart disease and help manage diabetes. The DASH diet plan has a maximum sodium limit of 1,500 milligrams to 2,300 milligrams per day. Even modestly adhering to a DASH eating plan seems to lower heart disease risk and mortality rates among seniors.5

A DASH diet includes a wide range of foods:

• Fruits such as grapes, apricots, peaches, and bananas
• Vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and kale
• Whole grains such as whole wheat bread and rolls
• Low-fat dairy products such as yogurt, milk, and cheese
• Lean meats such as skinless roasted or poached chicken or fish
• Nuts and legumes, such as kidney beans, lentils, almonds, and walnuts

MIND Eating Plan

The full name of this approach to eating is a mouthful — Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND). But the plan is pretty straightforward. Designed to help boost brain health, the MIND eating plan combines elements of the DASH and Mediterranean diets. Both diets are pretty similar, emphasizing consumption of fish, nuts, colorful fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Like DASH, the MIND approach to eating limits foods high in saturated fat, such as red meat or processed foods.

The theory behind the MIND diet is that certain foods might have antioxidant effects that could improve brain cell functioning and reduce inflammation, which is thought to be a contributor to Alzheimer’s risk. The goal of MIND is to help prevent or delay the onset of dementia.6

While there are no specific foods that have been shown to boost brain health on their own, researchers have found that a diet that includes lots of berries, leafy greens, oily fish, olive oil, and nuts seems to help protect the brain by lowering inflammation.7 Sample items on the Civitas Senior Living MINDFUL Menu include grilled redfish with a choice of sides or a Cobb salad with grilled chicken, bacon, blue cheese, and avocado.

>> You Might Like Brain Games to Boost Memory

Senior living communities often incorporate these dietary approaches into their own meal programs but might call them something different. Brookdale’s Optimum Life Cuisine, for example, includes dishes that are low in sodium and include low-fat dairy, lean meats, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables, much like the DASH and MIND approaches to eating.

>> Learn More: Brookdale Senior Living Review

Trends in Assisted Living Dining

In recent years, senior living communities have moved away from set meal times and one-size-fits-all menu plans. If you’re researching assisted living communities for yourself or a loved one, you’ve likely come across the phrase “restaurant-style dining” or a la carte dining on websites and in promotional brochures. This means that residents have more choices at meal times.

Assisted living communities often serve heartier fare for lunch and a lighter meal at dinner. Elison Senior Living Pinecrest in Largo, Florida, for example, might serve roasted turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, and a vegetable for lunch, and tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich, or spanakopita with fresh fruit, as choices for dinner.

Some communities provide printed or digital (via an app or website) menus to residents well in advance so they can plan meals ahead of time.

Person-Centered Dining

This shift in approach to meal plans reflects the trend toward person-centered care in assisted living communities, which focuses on residents’ needs and preferences and takes their lifestyles into account. One aspect of person-centered care is culinary engagement,8 which empowers seniors to eat when and what they want. It’s increasingly common for communities to ask for residents’ input on menu items and to get families involved in the community’s dining program. Some communities have regular elections where residents vote on a signature dish for the community each quarter.

>> Further Reading: Senior Housing Options and Retirement Guide

Person-centered dining can include healthier takes on comfort classics, such as meatloaf or macaroni and cheese. It can also mean that residents can customize their meals in different ways. Some communities are experimenting with offering breakfast foods for lunch and dinner, made-to-order stir-fry stations, or partnerships with local farms to provide communities with fresh produce.

Many communities also include cooking demonstrations with their chefs, so residents can learn more about the chef’s approaches to recipe design, and chefs can learn more about what residents would like to see in their dining plans. Some communities incorporate residents’ favorite recipes into their meal plans as well.

Multiple Dining Options

Many communities have cafes, bistros, or pubs in addition to their main dining rooms, so residents have more autonomy to grab snacks or coffee when they please. This not only helps residents feel more independent but also helps combat unintentional weight loss by letting people eat when the mood strikes.

Some communities offer the option of dining al fresco when weather permits or even having meals delivered to residents’ rooms. Meal delivery likely costs extra, so be sure to ask about fees for that convenience.

Special Diets and Culturally Inclusive Meals

Baby boomers are expected to have more interest than the previous generation in organic food and alternative diets, such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. Assisted living communities are increasingly prepared to accommodate these and other dietary requests.

Many communities are also prioritizing culturally inclusive menu options, offering Indian, Hispanic, and Asian food options in addition to more American-style foods such as sandwiches and meatloaf. Some communities also have gardens on site that residents can help care for.

Web-Based Menus and Meal Plan Apps

Many senior living communities use apps to help manage dining programs. This technology lets residents and their families view meal plans and schedules and keeps track of resident preferences, allergies, and dietary restrictions. These apps can also help community administrators keep track of resident attendance during meal times.

Questions to Ask About Dining in Assisted Living Communities

The food an assisted living community serves will have a big impact on how happy residents are. It’s important to make sure that a community’s approach to meals — in terms of dining-room atmosphere, healthy and a la carte options, and availability of food throughout the day — meshes with potential residents’ preferences. So consider asking these questions as part of your interview process while choosing an assisted living community:

• Are there all-day snacking options available to residents, such as in a bistro, cafe, or coffee and grab-and-go kiosk area?
• How does your culinary team deal with and track special dietary requests? How customizable are meals? (Can residents request gluten-free meals or ask for meals that reflect different cultural preferences?)
• Do you employ a chef full time, or did a chef just design your menu? How often does the community consult nutritionists in menu planning?
• Can residents have meals delivered to their rooms, and if so, what does the community charge for that service?
• What considerations went into dining room lighting, music, and seating?
• How much input do residents have on menus and meal planning?
• Does this community have partnerships with local farms or meat suppliers?
• Does the community offer occasional cooking demonstrations, so residents can meet the chef and learn about their influences and cooking style?
• What’s your policy for having guests during meals? Can we join you for lunch when we tour the community?