Quality Cuisine and Social Dining Key Factors In Healthy and Happy Ageing

Moving into aged care accommodation shouldn’t mean compromising your health – or sacrificing your tastebuds – and the new breed of aged care providers are upping the ante in the kitchen to meet the expectations of retiring baby boomers accustomed to diverse, high quality, and healthy cuisine.

Once the domain of bland meals on regular rotation, often delivered by external caterers, the new breed of retirees is looking for a restaurant-style experience, even after they move into aged care accommodation, expecting a varied menu of foods which are both flavoursome and healthy.

For those rising to the challenge, the benefits are clear. Ms Kerry Mann, CEO of leading aged care and retirement living provider Cranbrook Care, said the company’s award-winning cuisine has quickly become a drawcard for prospective residents looking to maintain their standard of living during their senior years.

“With an à la carte menu changing with the seasons, and meals prepared by on-site chefs using the finest fresh ingredients, our residents enjoy meals more akin to what you’d find in a five star hotel than the stereotypical meals dished up in the aged care homes of old,” said Ms Mann.

“Our award-winning dedicated Food Services team works incredibly hard to ensure residents enjoy nutritious and delicious meals and snacks in beautiful surroundings, always beautifully plated and served with the same attention to detail you would find in a fine dining restaurant – with tablecloths and background music. We even have a dedicated pastry chef onsite so residents can enjoy a beautiful selection of cakes, pastries and desserts,” said Ms Mann.

Besides the meals themselves, Ms Mann said she also receives great feedback from residents about the social nature of meal times, with residents enjoying catching up with new friends over a glass of wine during dinner.

“There’s plenty of research highlighting the fact that eating with others promotes healthy eating, and emotional health among the ageing, especially for those without partners,” said Ms Mann.

“With those living alone often not bothering to cook a substantial, healthy meal for one, many older people find themselves either living off a steady stream of frozen meals - or skipping meals altogether.

“We believe the lively social environment during our mealtimes is just as important as the quality of the food we’re serving, with meal times an ideal opportunity for residents to make new friendships and lessen the loneliness that’s all too common among our seniors,” said Ms Mann.

Having said that, the team at Cranbrook Care recognise that residents won’t always want to take their meals in the dining room, so there’s always an option for residents dine in their room, in a sunny spot on the terrace, by the fire on a winter’s evening, or in one of the many lounges.

Special celebration meals or meals to be shared while entertaining friends and family can be taken in function rooms or private dining spaces. Family meals can be ordered online via the website or in direct consultation with the onsite chefs.

To ensure meals are as healthy as they are tasty, Cranbrook Care’s award-winning Executive Chefs design varied menus in consultation with a dietitian/nutritionist, and can even tailor meal options to suit guests’ personal taste preferences, health or allergy requirements.

“For many years, there’s been discussion about the influence of diet on preventing and maintaining health issues from Alzheimer’s and dementia to maintaining strong bones, sharp eyesight and general wellbeing,” said Ms Mann.

“In particular, a number of foods have been identified as key ingredients in a healthy diet as we age, so we’re conscious of including these into our meal plans wherever possible,” said Ms Mann.

A balanced diet can reduce high blood pressure, lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease, as well as helping maintain healthy muscles and bones, boosting the immune system and fighting inflammation.

“Our chefs strive to include plenty of olive oil, fish, tomatoes, leafy green vegetables, berries, nuts and natural yoghurt into their dishes, along with lean meats and grains, paying particular attention to appropriate serves of dairy and fish – good sources of calcium – and vitamin D to promote bone health and combat osteoporosis,” said Ms Mann.  

Find out more about Cranbrook Care.