For most of us, mealtime is about more than simply nourishing our bodies. Meals are often social and cultural events. Paul Fieldhouse, writing for the Vanier Institute of the Family, puts it this way: “Across cultures and time, food sharing is an almost universal medium for expressing fellowship ... The shared meal is an opportunity not only to eat, but also to talk, to create and strengthen bonds of attachment and friendship, to teach and learn.”
This sense of fellowship remains important as we age into our senior years. Also, as we age, our dietary needs are likely to change, not to mention our ability to eat as independently as we used to. So if dining options aren’t a high-priority consideration as you look for a senior living community, it should be. Read on to learn about what makes mealtimes at Arbor Terrace of Asheville special.
Carefree and Creative Nutrition
One reason seniors tend to want to move into a senior living community is to shed some of the responsibilities of daily life, such as home maintenance and cleaning. An underappreciated benefit of senior living communities is that you also don’t have to worry about grocery shopping anymore! At Arbor Terrace of Asheville, we provide our residents with three square meals a day.
Our chefs are trained in preparing nutritious meals, but they also take pride in their creativity, often incorporating seasonal ingredients into their rotating menus. Residents might eat traditional pot roast one night and enjoy Asian-inspired stir-fry the next, so they’ll never experience food fatigue.
Restaurant-Style Dining
When families considering senior living communities picture dining options, they often picture bland cafeterias. We’re happy to correct that mental image! Top-tier communities like Arbor Terrace of Asheville take pride in all of their facilities, including the dining room.
Residents eat in an attractive open-seating dining area, and meals are served on tables set with serving plates, flatware, and linens. In keeping with research on the importance of seniors dining with companions instead of eating alone, tables are small to ensure that residents can hear each other as they catch up on what the grandkids are up to or which upcoming community activity they’re most looking forward to. Residents’ families are also always welcome to join us for a meal!
Dining with Dignity
The staff at Arbor Terrace of Asheville understands that aging can mean changes to residents’ abilities, and we are dedicated to helping our residents live their lives to the fullest, whatever that means for each individual. At mealtime, this dedication is best demonstrated by our Dining with Dignity® program. We encourage our residents to socialize and have fun during meals, and we don’t want anyone to feel unable to do so because they’re embarrassed about needing help using utensils or having to ask for certain dietary accommodations.
Dining with Dignity breaks down these barriers by providing the same delicious food other residents receive, but in forms that don’t require silverware and are easier to chew and swallow, so that residents with varying abilities can eat independently together.
Flexibility
We are confident that we offer the best dining options available at any senior living community in Asheville. However, we know that just because something is working well doesn’t mean it can’t be improved! Our chefs are always happy to accommodate a request for a favorite food, and we encourage residents not to be shy about providing any other feedback.
Also, even though we offer three great meals every day, we know that sometimes there’s no replacement for your favorite restaurant — especially in a foodie paradise like Asheville! Loved ones are welcome to pick up residents and treat them to a meal out, or we can organize transport for a group of residents who want to hit the town together.
Our dining options are just a small sample of what makes Arbor Terrace of Asheville a wonderful place to call home. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have about transitioning to a senior living community or to give you a tour. Call 828-681-5533 to schedule a time to meet with us — and we’ll save you a seat at lunch!
