Home Cooked Meals and Nutrition - Assisted Living Homes

Many people who are considering assisted living arrangements are worried about the food that they or their loved ones will be served. Most assisted living homes offer home cooked, nutritious meals. Getting the right balance of foods and making them palatable plays a huge roll in wellness. Assisted living homes typically offer food just like the resident would cook themselves, or their family would cook for them. What's more, in smaller assisted living homes, the resident may be able to participate in shared common kitchen. This offers a unique opportunity to come together as a "family" and cook and eat together. This type of sharing is encouraged to foster stronger bonds among the residents and staff.

Cooking Together

In many adult group homes cooking as part of a group is very welcome. The residents under supervision of the staff many times will cook their meals together. Of course this is not mandatory but it is a fun way to share recipes and ideas. Many times the meals are cooked via a pre made menu and recipes that are prepared by a dietitian or facility manager.

Typically the main meal of the day is the meal that the residents will cook together, dinner and special occasions are prime time for this activity. Many times there will be cooking classes that are offered so these folks are well prepared to cook up food that is not only very palatable but chock full of nutrition.

Prepared Meals

When the residents are not cooking, the meals are normally prepared by a cook that follows a dietitian's menu. This ensures that the residents get the best nutrition possible. The meals are cooked using wholesome ingredients that most folks use in their own homes.

Most meals are prepared by the cook who might also double as a staff member. The meals are well balanced and are based on the older adults' daily requirements. Special dietary restrictions are always considered and the meals are geared toward being adjusted to reflect the same. Typically there are several items on the menu that are nutritionally sound.

Snacks

Assisted living homes are just an extension of the home that the resident is used to living in. Unlike in a hospital setting, residents that are hungry between meals also have an opportunity to be served snacks. Some residents may keep their own snacks in their rooms, while the dietary staff will also prepare snacks at particular times of day that residents may choose to eat if they wish.

Good food that is good for you can really make a difference. Assisted living homes know that feeding the stomach also fuels the body and the soul. Home cooked meals are a way to keep the quality of life strong, making sure that the residents have the opportunity if they so choose to participate in the preparation of their meals also feeds the soul and allows independence and decision making in one's own life.