The elderly represent a steadily expanding segment of the U.S. population. While they’re not traditionally thought of as dining connoisseurs,those who live in senior homes and assisted living facilities are increasingly being treated to quality, veggie-centric fare.
More natural, less processed foods are supplanting their overcooked predecessors. Few people would argue that the change isn’t a move in the right direction.
One out of every seven Americans were classified as senior citizens in 2014, and that figure is expected to exceed one in five by 2040. In other words, senior living dining trends that favor fresh ingredients are unlikely to die out anytime soon. Here are four burgeoning dining concepts to keep an eye out for in the world of senior living.
1. Freedom of Choice Will Become the Norm
Traditionally, care facilities were known for lackluster menus where dining choices were limited to the bare minimum. Seniors could either consume one of two standard entrees or go hungry for the night. As groups like the Baby Boomers age, however, such uninspired standards simply won’t do.
In addition to being accustomed to the absolute best in life, these aging populations may simply have more varied preferences than their parents did. The American melting pot is only growing more diversified with time, and so are people’s tastes. Whether they favor braised Brussels sprouts or massaged kale, elderly diners are going to expect an abundance of options.
2. Green Is Growing Universal
Veggie-centric diets are more than a fad. People have always known that vegetables are healthy. As more studies examine the positive impacts of plant-based eating, however, public awareness is certain to spread.
For senior living managers, offering greener options is about more than just satisfying residents with superior choices. It’s also critical to sustaining business. Americans who consider housing their relatives in nursing homes will prefer facilities that treat their occupants to fresh, vegetable-based foods.
Families may not expect their parents or grandparents to go totally vegan or even vegetarian. Still, research from the NIH, Boston University and numerous other sources backs the idea that such diets result in lower mortality, lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases and lower rates of diabetes. For many families, picking homes with veggie-centric options may be a practical matter of managing a loved one’s health as economically as possible.
3. Food Quality Is Increasing
One of the most interesting dining trends in senior living is that homes and caregivers are beginning to do more with their ingredients. For example, some nursing residences have already hired professional chefs and meal planners to inject a spark into commonplace items. Culinary experts are also able to serve healthier options in more enticing ways. Mixing things up lets these facilities appeal to a wider range of potential residents and motivate people to try healthier foods without being prodded.
Ingredient quality is also climbing. Facilities now seek higher caliber ingredients, like romaine lettuce hearts, portobello mushrooms and white corn. In the process, they cater to seniors who may be picky eaters and give their kitchen staff better resources to work with. By increasing satisfaction among diners, they also decrease food waste to reduce operational overhead.
4. Senior Living Facilities Are Going to the Source
According to industry research, new assisted living facilities incurred astronomical startup expenses that were upwards of $130,000 per room. The two biggest costs for such residences were staff members and food. In total, meal costs swallowed a whopping 15 percent of the revenues that these facilities generated annually.
For cash-strapped senior living managers, the smartest solution is to partner directly with food producers. Obviously, getting as close to the source as possible minimizes costs. It also facilitates more effective quality control by making it easier to hold the right parties accountable for problems.
Of course, not every potential produce partner is a good fit. It’s critical to find a capable supplier with premium quality offerings and the experience to fulfill your needs promptly and economically. Discover why Hitchcock Farms is the preferred option for so many senior living facilities today.
