Did you know, on average, 5-10% of older adults have an allergy? Or that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that at least 4.5% of people 75+ have food allergies? In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code was updated to reflect these growing numbers, adding that kitchen staff should have training on the most common allergens and how to spot an allergy attack. The FDA also added sesame to the “Big-9 Allergen” list, joining foods like eggs, shellfish, soy, and peanuts.
Given these statistics, there are probably more than a few residents in your senior living community who struggle to find meals that align with their health needs. While we know you want to help everyone under your care have the same mealtime experience, we also know that it’s sometimes easier said than done to accommodate everyone at the same level in residential care. However, to comply with federal regulations and best practices, implementing menus that cater to all residents’ needs in senior living is a must.
In this blog, we’ll explore why allergy-friendly menus benefit your community (outside of regulation compliance), training suggestions, and how to create this type of menu.
Why Seniors May Need Allergy-Friendly Menus
As we age, our bodies undergo changes that impact how and what we eat. It’s also more common for older adults to be allergic to different foods because of the increased risk of chronic diseases and a decline in immune function, typically requiring more medication and medical procedures to maintain healthy body and mind function. However, while these things help us survive as we get older, they don’t stop our tolerance of certain foods or the risk of developing an allergic reaction to certain foods from becoming less prevalent.
For example, cardiovascular disease is one of the most common conditions people 60 and older carry a diagnosis of, with the American Heart Association reporting that nearly 80%+ of adults in this age group had had a cardiovascular incident in the latter portion of their lifetime. These seniors, like many of the residents in your community, are more susceptible to severe allergic reactions due to their compromised cardiovascular system. Some medications, like beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors, can also make allergic reactions worse. These medications can hide symptoms or react with food allergens, causing a delayed or stronger reaction — showing just how important allergy-friendly menus are in senior communities.
Things to Consider When Creating an Allergy-Sensitive Menu
While designing a menu for your community’s residents might be second nature to you, reworking it to be sensitive to different allergies probably isn’t. Most menus already consider common allergens like shellfish or peanuts, but ones for senior living (or any type of residential setting) need to go above and beyond that.
A person-centered approach to dining is the foundation for creating a dining program and, therefore, a menu that prioritizes resident health and safety – while leaving room for foods that make them happy, satisfy cravings, or simply remind them of home. Here are a few tips we suggest considering when designing an allergy-sensitive menu.
Prioritize Resident Opinions and Input
Before you start brainstorming menu ideas, turn to your residents to learn what they’d like to see. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks, the people in your community have opinions and want their voices to be heard. Working with professionals like registered dietitians and nutritionists also makes it easier to know about residents’ exact dietary needs, such as specific allergies, food intolerances, or whether they’re taking any medications that may interact with food.
Keep Menu Items and Ingredients Fresh, Local, and Creative
What’s better than having allergy-friendly menu options? Having options that are fresh, delicious, and support local farmers and small business owners in the area around your senior living community. Using fresh and local foods also decreases the risk of harmful, processed ingredients or pesticides that might be found in foods from larger sourcing options, which could potentially expose residents to allergens they weren’t aware of.
However, doing this doesn’t mean you’re limited to simple or boring menu options. Get creative with the dishes you offer to ensure residents get diverse flavors and foods at each meal. For example, grilled chicken or fish with roasted vegetables is a great option, as is quinoa salad with fresh fruits and nuts (using sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead of common allergens). With fall quickly approaching, another option is hearty soups with foods like lentils or vegetables served with gluten-free bread.
Train Staff on Safety Plans and Conduct Ongoing Reviews
Safety is the most crucial factor to consider when creating an allergy-friendly menu since an allergic reaction can be life-threatening for many seniors. Create a safety plan and regularly review it to ensure you and your staff know the correct procedures and protocols for an allergy emergency. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Regularly review menus to ensure they remain allergy-friendly and accommodate changing resident needs.
- Establish comprehensive emergency protocols for anaphylaxis, including epinephrine auto-injectors and emergency contact information.
- Designate separate areas for preparing allergy-friendly meals to prevent cross-contamination.
- Ensure compliance with FDA regulations regarding food allergen labeling.
- Clearly label menus and food items with allergen information to keep residents informed.
Educating staff on food allergies and menu planning is also necessary for creating a safe dining environment. You likely already have training protocols but make sure you rewrite them to accommodate your new allergy-friendly menu, covering topics like information about food allergy basics, menu planning, and labeling and communication. Staff should understand common allergens, symptoms, and emergency procedures. They should also learn how to identify allergens in recipes and substitute ingredients to accommodate residents’ needs.
Allergy-Friendly Menu Experts
If creating an allergy-friendly menu is a task you don’t want to take on alone, don’t worry. The dietary experts at Culinary Services Group are here to help. We hope these tips serve as a guide to get you started, but we’re also available to work with you as your food service management partner to create a dining program that’s allergy-friendly, nutritious, and fun. Our team is always available to talk to you about our services and philosophy, so schedule a consultation through this contact form to get started. In the meantime, you can also check out our different customizable meal plans to learn more about how we prioritize person-centered dining in senior living.
