When it comes to nutrition, elderly people are in an extremely unique situation when compared to other age demographics.

The majority of our lives are spent making daily choices in regards to food and health, with the viewpoint that the quality of our decisions will have a direct outcome on our overall well being in the future.

Whereas old age is the living breathing culmination of a lifetime’s worth of nutritional choices and an unforgiving exposé of the manner in which you chose to live your life.

There are a number of myths surrounding those in the elderly age bracket, and one of the most negligent and ill-informed viewpoints is that elderly people have lesser nutritional requirements than the rest of the population.

When in reality, the elderly actually have nutritional requirements that are similar to every other age group, and a majority will actually require special attention in order to ensure that all nutrient levels are being met.

That’s why Autumn Aged Care place so much importance on meal time.

What’s On the Menu at Autumn Aged Care?

While there is certainly no shortage of fad diets and alternative eating advice circulating in 2019, one thing that seems to be universal in its acceptance is the notion that fruits and vegetables are the two most important building blocks of any nutritious diet.

Vegetables, including legumes and other beans, contain hundreds of vitamins and minerals, and eating a wide variety of different types of vegetables ensures that the consumer is ingesting as many of these vital nutrients as possible.

Fruit, on the other hand, is a great source of fiber, which is very important for elderly eaters, because it is a great way to combat issues of constipation, and is also known to lower cholesterol levels which can help to prevent things like heart disease.

Different coloured fruits and vegetables contain a variety of nutritional content, which means that one sure fire way to ensure maximum health benefits is by eating in the most colourful way possible.

Unfortunately though, for some seniors, biting into an apple or celery stalk is not as straightforward a task as it might be for other age brackets.

Loose teeth, decreased saliva, and the assortment of swallowing difficulties that come with dysphagia can make consuming the right type of foods difficult, and this can lead to an overall lack of appetite and reduced nutrient intake.

In most cases, people facing these types of issues will require foods and liquids that have been modified in texture, while still maintaining high nutritional content.

New Horizons For Food In Aged Care

One of the main aspects of being a great aged care provider is having the ability to keep an open mind in regards to new ideas.

Thanks to the amount of new research and technological advancements within the aged care industry, we are gaining more evidence-based insight into caring for elderly people.

Food in aged care is no exception to this trend, with exciting new insights pointing to a strong connection between gut health and the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Evidence from numerous studies indicate that a diverse and balanced population of gut microbiota is important for maintaining a strong immune system and aiding digestion.

There is also increasing evidence that suggests the gut microbiota is a key link between specific nutrients and brain function.

While the exact depth of the relationship between the gut and the brain has not yet fully realised by researchers, experts believe that there is an ongoing conversation that goes on between the gut and the brain; and that food affects the messages that are being passed on.

The best way to ensure a very rich and well-balanced population of gut flora is by having a constant flow of nutritious food entering the body in a way that is easy to digest.

We are fully committed to making this a reality for every elderly Australian that calls Autumn Aged Care their home.

More Than Just Nutrition

Australian celebrity chef Maggie Beer has long been known for her passion to change the food experience for older Australians, and this has prompted Autumn Aged Care chefs to partake in some of her specially designed food masterclasses that are aimed at those who cook for the elderly.

Our Autumn Aged Care chefs will be soaking up the invaluable lessons from within this masterclass and bringing them back to share with other staff members and apply new principles and passion to our terrific aged care menu.

Nutrition and taste have always been top priorities, part of this experience will focus on the social aspect of eating, and the joy that comes with being able to enjoy food amongst friends.

Because while good food can nourish the body, it’s the experiences and interactions that you have with others at meal times that nourish the soul.