Call Us 866-924-2442
logo new
 
  • About Us
    • Our Culture
    • Our Caregivers
    • Our Management Team
    • Industry Statistics
  • Careers
  • Services
    • Coordination of Care
    • Elderly Care Services
    • Hiring an Agency vs.
      Direct Caregiver
    • Benefits Outweigh Cost
    • Personal Care
    • Skilled Nursing Therapy
    • Senior In Home Care
    • Alzheimer’s and Dementia
  • Programs
    • ENSUREPrograms
      • ENSUREConnect
      • ENSURECheck
    • Temperature Screening Services
      • Event Screening
    • Veterans Aid & Attendance
  • Blogs
    • Lifestyle
    • Franchising
    • Newsroom
  • Hand in Hand Newsletter
  • Franchise Opportunities
  • Ask a Question

Blog

Home In Home Care The Benefits Of Eating With Others And Socializing During Meal Time In A Senior Home

The Benefits Of Eating With Others And Socializing During Meal Time In A Senior Home

May 24, 2018garrettl

How Social Dining Positively Impacts People Living In Senior Homes

For seniors, good nutrition is one of the keys to staying healthy and strong. The human body works best when it has access to all of the vitamins and nutrients that it needs. A well-balanced diet not only helps ensure that seniors are getting proper nutrition but it also can help them maintain a healthy weight, making it easier to stay active. A diet that incorporates key vitamins and minerals can help with everything from maintaining good bone density to preserving good mental clarity and focus.

Unfortunately, not all seniors follow healthy eating habits. Poor nutrition can increase the risk of health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes. It can also result in a general decline in their overall quality of life.

Eating In Isolation Is Detrimental To Seniors’ Well-Being

Years ago, most families gathered around the dinner table to eat a meal with one another, talking about the events of the day. Unfortunately, as life becomes busier, this habit is becoming less and less common. This is bad news – not just from a social perspective but also from a health perspective. Studies have shown that families that don’t eat meals together generally aren’t as healthy as families that do. When everyone grabs dinner on their own, they are more likely to make poor food choices. This can result in an overall decline in health.

Although it may seem unrelated, this actually is a good illustration of why it is so detrimental for seniors to eat alone. When people eat in isolation, they are less likely to eat balanced meals. Instead, there is a tendency to just grab whatever is handy and easy to prepare. Over time, this can cause a wide array of health problems ranging from a compromised immune system to problems with malnutrition or weight loss. This is especially problematic for seniors since their bodies are not as strong as those of younger people.

According to recent research, approximately one-fifth of all seniors experience loneliness when they eat by themselves. Unfortunately, this problem is all too common. Many seniors live alone and don’t have anyone to keep them company during mealtime. Getting out of the house is also more challenging than it used to be, which can make it hard to connect with others for a meal.

Understanding How Socializing During Meal Time Can Make Seniors Healthier

Interestingly, researchers have found that people who eat meals with someone else generally enjoy better health. When people eat around others, they are more likely to make good food choices. It is easier to find the motivation to prepare a healthy meal when there is someone to share it with. Additionally, the simple act of socializing during a meal can lift the spirits of a lonely senior, making them feel more like eating. The simple act of sharing a meal with someone else provides a social experience that can be uplifting and inspiring for someone who has spent a lot of time eating alone. It is easier to get excited about a meal when there is someone around to enjoy eating it with.

This is one area where senior living communities really shine. When it comes to senior care Houston TX has some excellent facilities that provide a warm, welcoming environment for seniors to share meals with others. Typically, these facilities are set up in such a way that residents can choose their own food and can decide who they want to sit with. In many cases, the environment is similar to a restaurant. Over time, people who live at these facilities develop friendships with other residents, providing them with a rich social life that can lift their spirits and make them excited about living. Moving into one of these facilities and forming friendships can even help combat mental health issues such as depression. People of all ages can benefit from having friends and feeling like they are part of the crowd.

A Closer Look At Mealtime

Every senior living facility is different. However, most of them go above and beyond to make sure that residents are getting good nutrition. Not only do they use fresh, locally grown ingredients but they also cook the food at the facility. Seniors may even be able to customize their meals based on their individual preferences. The chefs who work in these facilities put the needs of the residents first, making sure that their dietary requirements are being met.

Eating In A Social Setting Provides Countless Health Benefits For Seniors

Seniors who share meals with other people are far more likely to feel like they belong than those who eat alone. Even though people often eat by themselves in this day and age, seniors grew up in a different time when meals were all about gathering together with loved ones and sharing good conversation. As a result, it can be particularly disheartening for them to find themselves alone at mealtime. Over time, this sense of isolation can cause them to become depressed or withdrawn.

When seniors live alone, they often lack the motivation to cook a meal for themselves. They may decide to skip eating or they might just grab a pre-packaged snack or meal to skip the hassle of preparing a home-cooked meal. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, and other problems that can negatively impact their health.

The human body naturally declines with age. One way to combat these changes is by making sure that all of our nutritional needs are being met. When the body’s metabolism slows down, the appetite decreases as well. Oftentimes, seniors are also taking prescription medications that can interfere with their desire to eat. Dental problems can also make it harder to consume certain types of food. Again, this can interfere with good nutrition.

One way to combat all of these problems is by looking into senior care facilities in the Houston area. Residents of these facilities not only enjoy comfortable accommodations and good food but they also develop rich, rewarding social lives that can keep them active and engaged. When people have friends to talk to and activities to take part in, they are far more likely to maintain their vitality. If you have an elderly loved one who may benefit from living in one of these facilities, it is worth learning more today. Don’t wait until their health has already deteriorated to begin talking about the benefits of senior living facilities.

For more related articles, visit our blog. If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call or contact Assisting Hands Houston today!

Previous post Hurricane Caregivers: Assisting Hands Miami Sponsors Two Donations for Irma & Maria Next post Safe Airline Travel Tips for Seniors

Newsletters

Facebook
Twitter

Categories

  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Brain Health
  • Business Awards
  • Caregiving Tips
  • COVID-19
  • Elder Care
  • Healthy Aging
  • Homecare
  • In Home Care
  • Legal & Financial
  • Long Term Care
  • News
  • Planning Ahead
  • Respite Care
  • Safety
  • Senior Care
  • Summer
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Volunteering

Recent Posts

  • Parkinson’s Awareness Month and Your Loved One
  • The Benefits of Robotic Pets for Seniors
  • Benefits of Art Therapy for Seniors
  • Sneaky Habits That Cause Caregiver Weight Gain
  • The Importance of Senior Vitamins and Minerals

Archives

  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • October 2019
  • May 2018
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • September 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • November 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • May 2012
chat-icon

Read Our Newsletter

Read More
apache_pb

Download Our Brochure

Download
logo

assisting hands

Assisting Hands Home Care provides elder care services and senior in home care services for families across the country.

  • 866-924-2442
  • support@assistinghands.com
  • 5700 East Franklin Rd Nampa ID 83687

Follow Us

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Pinterest

Company

  • In Home Health Care, Elder Care & Senior Caregivers
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Services
  • Company News
  • Newsletter
  • Franchise Opportunities
  • Location List

Services

  • Hiring an Agency vs.
    Direct Caregiver
  • Senior In Home Care
  • Elderly Care Services
  • Coordination of Care
  • Personal Care
  • Skilled Nursing Therapy
  • Benefits Outweigh Cost

Legal

  • Site Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Crunchbase

2020 Assisting Hands Home Care. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | Powered by Path