Food is a very personal subject for most of us. Meal times are a time to relax and be submerged in pleasant flavors making contact with our taste buds and enjoyable textures to feel in our mouths.
The culinary experience is even more satisfying when the food is fresh and clean with its full range of nutrients; unfortunately, too many of Tucson’s seniors miss out on this.
Granted, when there are medical reasons for an enforced change of eating habits most people grudgingly accept the idea, but the foods they are permitted to eat should still be pleasing to the senses.
Food quality is a real sticking point for seniors who depend on services in the senior care industry. Seniors in Tucson bide with some less-than-ideal living situations, but poor quality of their food is where they draw the line – and understandably so.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service’s efforts have spurred on improvements in the quality of food served in larger kitchens in Tucson’s long term care facilities, but some residents would argue that it still has a long way to go. Especially if they reside in a facility where the commissary delivers large boxes of prepared foods, they may be subject to eating messes of freeze-dried concoctions that the cooks only need to add water to and heat. Resident patients are at the mercy of whatever is “cooked” with little choice.
Sadly, the scenario is not much different for seniors who live at home and require assistance with meal preparation due to their physical or cognitive limitations. They often still may not have access to the best quality food – right under their own roof!
With their busy schedule, in-home caregivers will often choose the quick and easy route when it comes to feeding their patients. These well-meaning helping hands save time by simply pulling out a can opener or cutting open a bag, emptying the contents into a bowl and microwaving it for a couple of minutes. Voila! Dinner is served!
A personal chef can save the day for seniors who need assistance with meal preparation. The meals a chef prepares are not only more nutritious and flavorful, but the personal touch of a specially tailored meal made “just for you” carries a lot of weight toward overall satisfaction with the dining experience. The total value of having personally prepared, home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients is inestimable! The meal will be what the individual wants and tailored to their dietary needs if they have specific guidelines.
Monetary budget is a common concern for seniors, but a personal chef is not out of reach cost wise. In fact, some types of insurance will even cover the cost of a personal chef! For the benefits that come from having a personal chef to prepare fresh meals, it certainly bears looking into.
Seniors with limited income and limited health have fewer choices and regularly have to compromise their quality of life, but their food choices and the quality of it shouldn’t be one of them. The good news is a creative, knowledgeable personal chef can change this sad trend with attentiveness to the requests and specific needs of their patrons. A good diet and fresh, clean food prepared with care can go a long way toward a healthy body and peace of mind.
