Last updated on June 15th, 2023
Wellness is a trending topic in the senior living industry. Today’s seniors live longer, healthier lives and seek out senior living communities that share their wellness-driven mindset, but wellness in senior living is more than just a few healthy dining options and a fitness center.
According to a survey by the International Council on Aging, many senior living communities are moving away from a care-first mindset and embracing a lifestyle of wellness for residents. They’re designing holistic wellness programs that address their residents’ physical, intellectual, and social needs.
A great wellness program creates a life with purpose and focuses on more than just physical health. That’s because things like a senior’s social life can significantly impact their overall health. For example, social isolation has been associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia, and poor social relationships are associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.
Your dining program can help improve wellness for your residents beyond the nutritional and physical aspects. Here are four senior living trends that focus on holistic wellness with tips on how your dining team can integrate these trends into your community.
4 Senior Living Wellness Trends in 2022
1. The expansion of wellness programs
While you may already have a wellness program that focuses on healthy meals, updating and expanding that program might appeal to newer residents in your community.
Consider offering more plant-based and vegetarian menu options, source fresh produce and local ingredients when possible, and most importantly, allow residents to make their own choices about their health through a liberalized diet plan.
A good wellness program will also incorporate plenty of learning and socialization opportunities into mealtime. We do this at Culinary Services Group through our Culinary Edge program. Each month, our communities have a wellness focus, food-centered activities (like hot chocolate bars, cook outs, and sock hops), and several fun-themed food days for residents to look forward to. Our Registered Dietitians also offer food and nutrition classes within the communities. Some of our communities even provide gardening opportunities and cooking demonstrations for residents!
2. Higher levels of personalization
No two people are alike, and that doesn’t change with age. Creating a personalized experience for each resident can be a key differentiator for your community and lead to better mental and physical health for your residents. Person-centered engagement leads to a sense of purpose, which is one of the most significant health and wellness indicators in older adults.
Of course, it’s impossible to create a 100% unique experience for every resident in your community. Still, you can offer a lot more choices. Just like when they were living on their own, residents want choice in what they eat, when they eat, and where they eat.
One way to offer more variety during meals is to use food stations throughout the dining room where diners can choose from different cuisines. You could also consider setting up “Create your Own” stations for omelets, pizzas, and stir fry where people can pick the ingredients they want in their specific meal that day.
When it comes to offering more choices to residents about when they eat, start by keeping your kitchen open throughout the day. It should never be “closed.” Residents should always have food options available. Grab-and-go areas are perfect opportunities to offer various options for people who miss scheduled meals. Stock these areas with healthy choices like freshly made sandwiches, veggie trays, fresh fruit, or yogurt parfaits.
Finally, try to offer up different spaces within your community for residents to have a meal. This could mean proper restaurant-style seating with booths, tables, and counter space. You could also create a flexible space that offers a quick breakfast in the morning but is transformed to offer appetizers and drinks for happy hour later in the day. You may also want to consider creating a smaller, private dining room so residents can entertain family or guests.
3. Widespread adoption of the Montessori Method
The Montessori Method isn’t just for children. Many senior living communities are embracing the Montessori philosophy to engage older adults with memory loss. Based on principles around education of the whole person, the Montessori Method empowers operators and associates to create a more personalized experience for each resident. It also drives whole-person wellness by helping residents maintain physical activity, their sense of purpose, and a feeling of connection. It leverages resident-led activities and social roles to help residents shape their own experiences. The Montessori Method focuses on the abilities that remain and working with those abilities, rather than defining people by the abilities they have lost.
For example, if a resident enjoyed gardening, but can no longer bend over to weed a garden, perhaps they can plant seeds while seated at a table instead. Applying the Montessori approach is mainly about creating adaptive environments so well-arranged that a person with cognitive impairment can function with little assistance.
Often this requires additional staff training and environmental changes. Staff may wear high contrast name badges, and bedrooms may be marked with the person’s name and photo. Everything is designed for residents to continue caring for themselves, contribute to their community, and engage in meaningful activities.
How can the Montessori Method be applied to your dining program? For individuals in memory care, consider serving their meals in a smaller, familiar dining room in their wing. Offer snacks and beverages throughout the day at various snack and hydration stations marked with visual cues inviting individuals to eat or drink what they are being offered. During mealtimes, find ways to engage residents, like by allowing them to set the table. This will encourage residents to help themselves and provide continued independence.
Culinary Services Group encourages independent dining for those with cognitive impairment through our Empower Program. We use highly nutritious finger foods to preserve self-feeding and dignity as mobility declines. Many of our common menu items can be transformed into finger foods that look and taste great and are easily eaten without utensils.
4. A greater emphasis on community development
Being part of a community is an essential part of living well. It can offer individuals a sense of purpose, and having a continued purpose has been linked to longer life, better mental health, and protection against cognitive decline. Along with purpose, a well-developed community also offers a sense of connection and many opportunities for engagement and socialization.
Meals are a natural opportunity for socialization and engagement among residents. Daily meals offer a meaningful ritual that provides a safe space for low-pressure social iteration and engagement. Mealtimes can also be a time for your dining staff to build relationships with residents.
One way Culinary Services Group encourages resident engagement is through meal rounds. Our team will stop to speak to each table and ask how the food was. It’s a great way to allow residents to offer feedback that will impact the larger community. It also encourages relationship building and friendship among our staff and the residents we serve.
Food is also usually a key component of the entertainment and activities residents look forward to. Your dining team must work closely with your activities director to make special events meaningful. Consider involving residents in a food planning committee for larger events like holiday celebrations, or get them involved in preparing food as much as their ability allows. Green thumbs can continue to tend to garden spaces and will enjoy knowing the veggies and herbs they grew are being used in the community’s meals. Bakers can still make cookies or create gingerbread houses for holiday events. One of the chefs at Culinary Services Group enjoys collecting old recipes from residents and incorporating them into community menus along with the resident’s name in the dish title.
Eating Well=Living Well
Food is central to building community and living well. Your dining team must understand how their department can add value and a sense of purpose to residents’ daily lives. If wellness is a focus for your community now or in the future, finding the right food service management partner can ensure the success of any plans and initiatives your community has.
Culinary Services Group has always been focused on improving the lives of those we serve through a resident-centered, holistic approach. If you’d like to discuss how we can assist you in achieving a wellness-focused dining program, contact us here.
