Care Home Meals & Nutrition: What Is Included?

It’s no secret that our diets play a huge role in our lives and our overall wellbeing. That is no less true for elderly people. But as we get older and daily tasks potentially become more difficult, keeping up with our nutrition and a healthy diet and lifestyle can become a struggle.

One of the key benefits of living in a care home is that the essentials are included in the price of a stay, from household bills to furnishings, activities, healthcare assistance and definitely the food.

Residents at the Caring Homes’ homes across England, Scotland and on the Isle of Man are able to focus on the things they enjoy and on what really matters in their day-to-day lives, over having to worry about shopping, prepping and cooking every meal.

But what does that entail – what kind of things are on care home menus and what is care home food like? We’re here to dispel any myths about care home meals and reassure you with three key benefits…

Set Nutrition Plans

At Caring Homes, before moving into a care home (whether for a short respite stay, or a permanent residence), residents will have the opportunity to discuss any health and dietary needs and preferences with our dedicated care team.

Here, your loved one can share anything from allergies to health goals, even down to any foods they really don’t like! Then based on this, we’ll work with you to put together a dedicated, personalised care home meals nutrition plan that aligns with these needs.

Once moved in, our in-house chefs and kitchen team will be aware of any requirements and preferences, allowing them to tailor meal plans to suit residents.

We provide healthy, well-balanced care home menus to our residents that are made fresh and with fantastic seasonal produce, so you can be sure your loved is receiving the very best care and attentiveness while with us.

The Social Side of Meals

Another advantage of care home meals is that they can become a social occasion, if that’s what residents prefer.

Something that elderly people who may live alone at home often miss is the act of sitting down to eat at mealtimes with family or loved ones. At our care homes, we create similar atmospheres in our dedicated dining areas, where residents to sit where – and with whom – they would like, fostering a feeling of community.

Not only this, but at our care homes, families are welcome to visit during mealtimes, providing an opportunity to catch up and meet with your loved one.

Particularly at special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries, we encourage our residents to spend time with family and friends and celebrate, whether that’s with a meal at home, or by going out to eat.

Respecting Mealtime Rituals

If considering a care home for a loved one, you may have been concerned about flexibility and freedom of choice, particularly when it comes to mealtimes. We’re here to reassure you that our care home mealtimes are not restrictive. One of our core values is providing residents with the freedom and autonomy that they need to enjoy every day.

There are plenty of ways that residents can have that personal touch in our homes, from decorating their rooms with personal items, to spending days how they prefer and how they enjoy their meals.

Residents are encouraged to eat what, where and when they prefer. Whether that’s having a supply of favourite snacks in their room, to eating meals in front of the television, or preferring to eat little and often over big, regular meals. Whatever is best for them works for us.

Considering a care home for you or your loved one can be a difficult decision with lots of factors to consider – but care home food shouldn’t be one of them. You can rest assured that our residents have all the freedom, or more, than they would at home, with the addition of a team of specialists to help encourage a healthy, balanced lifestyle of fresh, home-cooked food.

Want to know more? Find your local Caring Homes care home and book a visit to speak to our team, or you can call us directly on 0808 169 8661.