We’ve all heard the phrase, “You are what you eat.” But as we age, we often find that our eating habits have changed dramatically. Some older adults prefer to eat alone; others want to mingle with their friends over a meal. Still, others may want to make special meals for themselves or their families, the facility for which can’t be found in a standard dining hall. If you’re considering moving into a retirement community in Little River, TX, that offers on-site dining options, it’s important to know what those options are before making your final decision.
What Dining Venues Are Available?
Older adults who live in retirement communities have a variety of dining options. Some communities offer residential dining rooms, while others have separate breakfast, lunch and dinner rooms. Some even have coffee shops, bars/pubs where residents can go for after-dinner drinks or socializing. In addition to these on-site venues, some retirement communities also offer bakery or deli services and delivery from nearby restaurants directly to the residents’ doors.
Is Room Service Available?
Sometimes, you don’t feel like getting out of bed. Maybe it’s because you’re tired or under the weather or because it’s Tuesday and nothing feels good in the world. Room service is an excellent option for these types of days.
You can order food from your room at any time (there are no limits), meaning if someone wants to celebrate something special with their family or friends but doesn’t want to leave the house, they can still do so by having dinner delivered to them via room service!
Room Service also comes in handy when someone is feeling lazy – they can order food without having to go downstairs or even get dressed up if they want!
Does the Community Prepare Food for Special Diets?
You may have dietary restrictions that make it difficult to eat the same meals as everyone else. If you are vegetarian, gluten-free or have other dietary restrictions that require special meals, it’s essential to ask whether or not your community can accommodate these needs.
Many retirement communities do have kitchens that can prepare foods for special diets and will discuss what types of diets are accommodated before you move in. Ask about the process for ordering these meals and how much they cost.
Do Residents Have Input into Menu Planning?
Do residents have input into menu planning? You should also ask if there is a resident council or if the community has a food committee. If so, you can find out how they are involved in developing menus and whether they have any suggestions for improving dining options in the potential retirement community.
Suppose there is yet to be someone on the team who helps plan meals and offers nutritional advice as part of their job description. In that case, it may be worth asking whether such services are available to residents through outside providers (such as registered dietitians). Some communities offer cooking classes that teach golden-age adults how to make healthy meals from scratch using fresh ingredients. Residents need not rely on processed foods or frozen dinners from supermarkets which tend to contain more sodium than necessary for good health.
Can I Eat with Family and Friends When They Visit?
One of the most important questions is whether residents can eat with family and friends when they visit. If a resident has a guest, the guest should be able to eat with the resident; if not, there should be an alternative way for them to spend time together during meals. If you are alone at mealtime or simply want some company while eating, ask your friends whether there are plans so they can sit with you if they’d like and vice versa!
