What’s Dining Like in Senior Living Communities?

Few things can impact your health and happiness more than a good meal. In fact, lifting your fork can be as beneficial as lifting weights or engaging in other physical activity. Today’s senior living dining can be as trendy as the most popular restaurants in town. Let’s look at why meals at senior communities — like Santa Marta — can be a deliciously hidden secret.

It’s More than a Meal

Dining at a senior living community is about more than just satisfying your taste buds. (Although that’s a great place to start.) It’s also a time to socialize, make connections, build relationships with your neighbors, and make plans. That’s why senior living dining services offer a variety of dining venues and menus. Of course, they also want to make sure they’re providing healthy and nutritious meals for seniors.

Senior Living Community Dining Options

If you’re touring different communities, be sure to look at all their dining options to see if they fit your lifestyle needs. You should also ask to see the menu and about how much input residents have into what’s being served. Most communities with upscale dining for seniors have options like:

·       Restaurant-style dining: This more traditional sit-down option features ever-changing menus and even carryout.

·       Casual dining: For a less formal option, many communities offer a more casual bistro-type dining experience.

·       Private dining rooms: If you’re celebrating a special event or anniversary with guests, you can reserve a community’s private dining room and have the culinary team put together a special menu.

·       Coffee shop: This is perfect for meeting friends for coffee and a muffin or just catching up on the latest news sites over a light breakfast.

·       Grab and go: This allows you to grab a quick snack or lunch before heading off to your next activity.

·       Outdoor dining: Some communities offer an array of creative and inviting outdoor spaces.

·       Cooking demos: These events are a popular way to learn about a chef’s food philosophy, as well as pick up dinner suggestions and even a few cooking tips.

Menu Choices

One important aspect of any community’s health and wellness program is what you put on your plate. The best senior living dining solutions can help you live better without sacrificing flavor. One important aspect of that is to offer a variety of choices. Here are some healthy meal options for seniors you should look for on the menu:

·       Brain-healthy: These menu items are shown to promote brain health like green veggies, oily fish, berries, walnuts, and coffee and tea.

·       Heart-healthy: To promote heart health, these menus feature items like skinless chicken breast and other cuts of lean meat, beans, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables.

·       Individualized options: If you have dietary restrictions, such as being on a low-sodium diet or needing diabetic-friendly meals, ask about options that cater to your needs.

·       Seasonal menus: Many chefs like to work with fresh ingredients and will work to plan their menus around seasonally available options.

·       Special occasions: Communities may feature special dishes that are only available for a limited time to celebrate holidays or other special events.

Come for a Tour. Stay for Lunch.

If you’re ready to learn more about the active and engaging lifestyle at Santa Marta for yourself, schedule a personal tour by using our Santa Marta virtual assistant or contacting us here. We’ll be happy to show you around our beautiful campus, introduce you to the friendly residents, and even give you a taste of the Santa Marta dining experience by treating you to lunch.