Could moving to a retirement community improve my eating habits and help me eat a healthier diet?
– D. Mc. of Reedley, California
Yes! Living in a retirement community does encourage better eating habits. Very often, socialization during meals results in an increase in appetite.
Having a healthy diet with proper nutrition has benefits, such as increased mental ability, better mood stability, a strong immune system, more energy and faster recuperation times.
As we age there are factors that cause our eating habits to change, such as the loss of a spouse, a limited budget, metabolism starts to slow down around age 40. Activity levels change due to medical or physical problems. Our sense of taste and smell diminish and various factors can cause appetite changes, such as medication, depression, or an acute or chronic medical condition.
In the aging process we need to continue to exercise. Statistics show weight more than age determines how much energy we have. Eating food with fiber keeps the digestive system working well. Taking calcium walking and getting 15 minutes of sunlight daily, helps keep bones strong. Drinking plenty of water promotes regularity, helps our joints, keeps us feeling energetic and much more. Avoiding foods with high sugar content is important; sugar can suppress the immune system, weaken eye sight, and contribute to obesity, diabetes and other chronic health issues.
Retirement living facilities offer help with maintaining good eating habits. Some independent living facilities have meal plans that can be purchased by the people who live there. There are facilities that offer one meal a day; others offer 2 or more. Some have the meal plan built right into the rental price. There are also assisted living and skilled facilities that serve 3 meals a day.
It should be noted that retirement communities create menu cycles based on the direction of a registered dietitian. For example, SVH has John Varin, RD who verifies diets for proper nutrient content and gives direction to the kitchen supervisor in coordinating food preparation and modified diets. . Retirement communities offer nourishing meals and the socialization encourages better nutrition by continuing to wet the resident’s appetite.
If living in a retirement facility is not an option then try having a potluck frequently with friends. Go to the community center either in Dinuba or Reedley for a noon meal M-F.
Both programs are serving meals very reasonably priced and offer other activities with possibilities to meet new friends and have things to do.
The life span for the average American is increasing. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help us live those extra years with energy, and enjoyment.
This article was co-written with John Varin, R.D. He is the consultant dietician for Sierra Kings Hospital and a number of long term care facilities in the Reedley area.
Sierra View Terraces Grand Opening
The grand opening ceremony celebrated the ways in which the addition of the Sierra View Terraces will serve Reedley and the broader Central Valley community. Judith Case from the County Board of Supervisors presented Sierra View with a certificate of achievement. Shannon Major from the office of Senator Tom Berryhill presented Sierra View with a certificate of recognition to commemorate and celebrate the occasion. Speakers at the ceremony included Reedley Mayor Mary Fast, City Manager Nicole Zieba, and Sierra View Homes Board Chair Irvin Isaak. Speakers highlighted the fact that numerous Central Valley businesses benefitted from the construction of the building. Pickett and Sons of Fresno was the construction contractor, Kimberly’s of Kingsburg did the flooring, and all of the furniture was purchased in local stores.
Thirteen residents or couples have already made the Sierra View Terraces their home. Residents are arriving from Selma and Fresno and as far away as Chula Vista. Once the 52 Sierra View Terrace apartments are rented, Sierra View will swell to a community providing care and housing for 280 people.
The new three story apartment building fulfills a major part of Sierra View Homes’ strategic plan to add to the senior living options available on its 13 acre campus. Founded in 1960 by the First Mennonite Church of Reedley, Sierra View Homes has grown from a 26 bed skilled nursing facility to a retirement community with four levels of care. The Sierra View Terrace apartments join a campus composed of 65 other independent living apartments, an assisted living facility, a 59 bed skilled nursing facility, and a new memory care center that opened in August. While the campus of Sierra View Homes has changed over the past 50 years, staff members were quick to note that Sierra View’s core values of friendliness, hospitality, and hope remained central to the vision of the community. Vito Genna, Executive Director of Sierra View Homes remarked, “The founding fathers’ spirit of humility, compassion and hopefulness that has defined Sierra View Homes for over 50 years remains essential and it always will.”
Retirement Communities and Eating Habits
Yes! Living in a retirement community does encourage better eating habits. Very often, socialization during meals results in an increase in appetite.
Having a healthy diet with proper nutrition has benefits, such as increased mental ability, better mood stability, a strong immune system, more energy and faster recuperation times.
As we age there are factors that cause our eating habits to change, such as the loss of a spouse, a limited budget, metabolism starts to slow down around age 40. Activity levels change due to medical or physical problems. Our sense of taste and smell diminish and various factors can cause appetite changes, such as medication, depression, or an acute or chronic medical condition.
In the aging process we need to continue to exercise. Statistics show weight more than age determines how much energy we have. Eating food with fiber keeps the digestive system working well. Taking calcium walking and getting 15 minutes of sunlight daily, helps keep bones strong. Drinking plenty of water promotes regularity, helps our joints, keeps us feeling energetic and much more. Avoiding foods with high sugar content is important; sugar can suppress the immune system, weaken eye sight, and contribute to obesity, diabetes and other chronic health issues.
Retirement living facilities offer help with maintaining good eating habits. Some independent living facilities have meal plans that can be purchased by the people who live there. There are facilities that offer one meal a day; others offer 2 or more. Some have the meal plan built right into the rental price. There are also assisted living and skilled facilities that serve 3 meals a day.
It should be noted that retirement communities create menu cycles based on the direction of a registered dietitian. For example, SVH has John Varin, RD who verifies diets for proper nutrient content and gives direction to the kitchen supervisor in coordinating food preparation and modified diets. . Retirement communities offer nourishing meals and the socialization encourages better nutrition by continuing to wet the resident’s appetite.
If living in a retirement facility is not an option then try having a potluck frequently with friends. Go to the community center either in Dinuba or Reedley for a noon meal M-F.
Both programs are serving meals very reasonably priced and offer other activities with possibilities to meet new friends and have things to do.
The life span for the average American is increasing. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help us live those extra years with energy, and enjoyment.
This article was co-written with John Varin, R.D. He is the consultant dietician for Sierra Kings Hospital and a number of long term care facilities in the Reedley area.