In a CCRC where meals are provided, how to select healthy food from options available? Are their guidelines that could influence provision of healthy options? What guidelines are used for CHAMPS or other meals provided by Senior Services?
Not sure if the IL falls under federal guidelines? The NH part of your community should though because the state checks on them.
Call your local Office of Aging to see if they have guidelines. Maybe your health Department. If you have a kitchen/kitchenette, u can always have healthy alternatives. My daughter worked in NHs and felt the patients were given more food than they could eat. Lots of waste. But that is what the guidelines said the residents needed. So keep that in mind. Guidelines may say 4 oz of something but 2 oz is all you can eat.
Institutional cooking is, of course, just THAT. Our school systems are allowed to consider catsup on the fries a vegetable serving! So there are rules. Guidelines. And there are WAY AROUND rules and guidelines. If you are not doing the cooking, then you are not in control. If you want to see a healthy balanced diet for seniors without specific health issues (diabetes of kidney problem; medications limits) then any search engine will get you those guidelines. Remember, when you are not the one buying the food and cooking the food you really are not the one in control. At some point in our lives I hope that the food pyramid is put to the side a bit and we get as much choice as our health limitations will give us. When I visited my bro at the Assisted Living "Corndogs day" was one of the favorites. Was it the best diet in the world? Nope. Did they enjoy it? Yup. At some point some worries have to go to the sidelines as there is no diet in the world that will make us live forever! We recently had a posting by a loving and so well intentioned family member knocking herself out to cook, and upset Mom wanted her fudgsicle first. I was the naughty one siding with Mom on that one. My daughter and I will already order a huge order of Hunan Chinese Food, and eat the leftovers cold for breakfast, laughing and enjoying our naughtiness all the way. If you are choosing a place for Mom or Dad, and have options, and finances, it is always good to visit at mealtime. And often you can review menus, ask who helps with them, and even get a free lunch! Good luck.
Call your local Office of Aging to see if they have guidelines. Maybe your health Department. If you have a kitchen/kitchenette, u can always have healthy alternatives. My daughter worked in NHs and felt the patients were given more food than they could eat. Lots of waste. But that is what the guidelines said the residents needed. So keep that in mind. Guidelines may say 4 oz of something but 2 oz is all you can eat.
If you are choosing a place for Mom or Dad, and have options, and finances, it is always good to visit at mealtime. And often you can review menus, ask who helps with them, and even get a free lunch! Good luck.