Unless you’re a committed foodie, deciding what to have for dinner every night can be something of a challenge. Is it nutritious? Tasty? Budget-friendly? Will it use every pan in the house and leave mountains of washing up? Will the leftovers mean you’ll be eating the same thing for a week? Having to take all of this into consideration with every meal can be exhausting and take all the enjoyment out of the experience. Depending on your personal situation, it can be difficult in retirement to maintain the quality and variety of food choices that contribute to a nutritious diet. You may have to adjust to only cooking for one or two people and the challenge of having groceries go bad or get old. Likewise, it can be easy to fall into the habit of eating ‘easy’ or ‘fast’ (and mostly unhealthy) foods when you are no longer cooking for a large family.
But perhaps there’s a large silver lining.
Due to changes in metabolism and a decrease in physical activity, our nutritional needs change as we age and because we may not eat as much food at each meal as a younger person, our food choices really matter. So how do we take control of our health and nutrition in our seniors years? That’s where a senior living community comes in. In fact, one of the benefits of retirement villages is the ready access to nutritional, high quality food. Imagine not having to worry about planning your own menu every day, or even having to wash up – it sounds like a dream! But that’s certainly not the only advantage of joining a Retirement Community with meals or dining options offered. Let’s explore some of the benefits of food services in retirement communities.
Convenience
Cutting out meal planning, grocery shopping, food preparation, and washing up sounds like a fabulous way to take back more time to enjoy your retirement. In a retirement community that includes food services, such as meal provision and on-site cafes and restaurants, all the hassle of planning and making nutritious, tasty meals can be put to one side. Even for those who love to cook, nothing beats having a night off and letting someone else do the hard work. Choosing a Retirement Community with meals or dining options means that you can take the time to relax and enjoy your food any time you need a break. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, senior living communities can often provide dine-in or meal delivery options so that you are always supported with access to healthy, delicious food.
Nutrition
Knowing what to eat and how much to eat can be difficult at the best of times. As we age, our nutritional needs change and we might find that the meals we are used to don’t provide us with what our bodies need. Access to food services in Retirement Communities can take all the confusion out of managing your nutritional needs. In senior living communities with dine-in options, menus are prepared by a qualified team of Chefs to ensure that residents can choose a variety of fresh meals made with quality ingredients, often taking advantage of fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Social Opportunities
Research has shown that for older adults, dining with others can have positive impacts on both physical and mental health. In a retirement village with meals served in friendly, vibrant shared dining areas, residents are encouraged to come together to enjoy a healthy, mouth-watering meal while catching up with friends. It has even been found that when older adults dine with others, they are more likely to make food choices that benefit their health. So dining with others could provide more than just a satisfyingly full tummy.
If the thought of fuss-free access to delicious meals in retirement has you chewing over your options, consider giving TriCare a call. Our retirement living communities provide on-site dining options, including restaurants and cafes, and in-room meal services overseen by a team of qualified, food-loving Chefs. Book a tour today and find out how TriCare can take help you live the retirement you’ve always wanted.
