In my research I have uncovered the following:
Community dining is a servant-like role that seniors serve their community. It means that elderly diners walk between tables, serving as a support person, and talking to and listening to their diners. It is a treasured tradition in British Columbia, and other rural communities, where people gather to support and serve those in need and enjoy the company of each other. In many parts of this country, young people are the ones coming in to work the farms and ranches, taking the senior jobs and so most of these restaurants have very limited waitstaff.
“Every day is a challenge, but it’s so great because I’m always loving what I’m doing and it really does help you think three, four or five steps ahead.” — Angela Uyeno, Age 60
“The most important thing about restaurant service is the warmth and connection you feel working with a regular client, not the food.” — Drama Chernikova, Age 50
Most people are fed up with the rising costs of food and feel that they deserve better. They often go online and read how chef Gordon Ramsay overfeeds these companies with all their money. He prefers to overfeed them to lure them in with extravagance. He said that to avoid starving himself with expensive, tasteless food he just feeds people small portions.
I empathize with his position, however, I differ with his methods. I believe that it is important to feed the elderly well. When trapped in their homes, they simulate the feeling of eating at a restaurant, and when they eat at restaurants they are filled up with nostalgia.
In my opinion, most seniors are fed up with what they are eating, or what they feel they are eating, and so they head to the internet to try to figure out how to feed themselves better. They rent small tables at community dining restaurants, and they adapt the food at their tables to what they want to eat. They solve their health and nutrition concerns in the kitchen of their own homes.
Community dining facilities also serve as socialization sites. When dining alone many seniors fall into a range of emotions that can range from boredom and sadness to relief and contentment. They recreate the socialization events that they once enjoyed at social events in restaurants. At a restaurant these would be the weekly manager meetings, the wine and beer pairings, the talent show, and the salmon bowl competitions.
 

For example, a Kentucky Fried Chicken meal can easily have 1,200 calories, have 50 grams of fat, and 32 grams of salt. These are not the best food choices for someone trying to stay healthy, let alone someone trying to stay independent at home.
Restaurants can help bridge the link between seniors and healthy food in that they have the state or county health department guarantee that when seniors purchase regular food items, they will get the nutrients they need in those meals and are offered with in home healthcare St. Louis.
The US Department of Agriculture reports that the average American adult only takes in about 2,400 calories per day. However, the total amount of calories seniors need to maintain their strength and stamina is 3,600 to 4,000 calories per day. While many elderly people may be able to eat twice as much as the average American, and according to different studies have a good balance of nutrients, there is a limit.
In addition, while most states and counties offer a grocery-suitable option, that does not necessarily mean that the food is healthy. For a lot of seniors the home cooking option is the only option if they want healthy food that is simple, quick, inexpensive, and convenient. Food that comes straight from a restaurant is something that many seniors truly are not used to. When the meal arrives, rather than opting for the dressing or side salad, they can just go for the main and ask for the checks or if they need more assisstance they may check for St. Louis home health care.
Most restaurants set up their kitchen for take out or delivery. This is a safe option for senior citizens who do not have their own kitchen space or do not have the transportation to drive to a restaurant or have to wait in long line ups. Older adults who live alone usually may not have the patience to cook a meal to order or may look for a St. Louis Nursing Home.
After the meal is consumed some time later, the elderly must go to the bathroom. Washing dishes is also a chore that they do not have time for. The bathroom trip can easily take upto 10 minutes, using there only time to grab more food or toilet paper.
Many senior citizens don’t feel comfortable with walking in or using a facility that is not labeled a restroom. Filling a bottle of water can take up to 30+ minutes, not to mention that paper towels and similar items can become a waste now that are inherently disposable.
While at home the prep work is still needed. The food needs to be cooked, the cans and other food waste could pile up, and utensils, glasses, etc. are still needed.
 

On the other hand, there may be other factors that come into play. Older adults tend to spend a lot of time interacting with others. Cooking at home and preparing a meal can be a way for people to spend more time with themselves. And this is an advantage that restaurants may not have.
Our research article highlights a number of unusual challenges that older adults face in cooking at home. We’ve also discussed the benefits that come from cooking at home.
Cooking at home can come with certain risks.
When compiling a meal some ingredients can become a challenge. Sharp knives can be hard to use with food that is already cooked. Cooking ingredients at the highest temperature possible can create problems in terms of safety. Going the extra mile and wrapping your food in foil to prevent food from sticking can create a lot of extra clean up. And sometimes the most flavorful ingredients must be added weeks or even months after cooking.
Cooking at home comes with risks; however, it is also one of the most accessible options when it comes to meals and food at home. If it is an option that is available to you then it might be worth a try.

ElderCare Channel

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