Healthy Eating Week 2023

With Healthy Eating Week 2023 taking place next week  – 12th – 16th June – wanted to share a little bit more of insight into the importance of this campaign and what we do at Each Other Care to support our residents every day.

We understand the significance of a healthy diet and the impact this has on overall wellbeing; it’s one of our top priorities!

Why does good nutrition and hydration matter?

Most of us know that healthy eating is crucial for individuals of all ages, but it becomes especially important as we age. Did you know that a balanced diet can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes by up to 30%?

Things like omega fats are great for circulation and can reduce the risk of heart disease, whilst eating plenty of fruit and vegetables can reduce the risk of developing certain cancers. Eating a balanced diet can also help to boost brain power, reduce the risk of dementia, and keep minds happy and healthy.

Keeping well hydrated is equally important; research indicates that as our bodies mature, they become less adept at regulating fluid balance, making dehydration a common concern among older adults.

This can lead to up to 40% of older people experiencing chronic dehydration. However, ensuring adequate hydration is crucial - it supports cognitive function, aids in digestion, and promotes joint lubrication for improved mobility.

How Each Other Care supports this in our homes

Nutrition and Hydration

We know that everyone is different, which is why we work closely with our residents to help them make informed food choices that align with their own dietary needs and preferences. Each and every one of our residents is given nutritional and hydration screenings to make sure they are continuously receiving healthy and well-balanced diet that works for them.

Our varied menus are reviewed on a weekly basis. We always welcome and encourage feedback from our residents and families, who help us shape this. Our teams also collaborate with dieticians to help our in-house cooks deliver the very best options.

We prioritise fresh, seasonal ingredients and happily cater to specific dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and low-sodium options. By offering diverse and healthy choices, we ensure that our residents can enjoy nutritious meals - without sacrificing taste!

We also know that balance is key; we do offer sweet treats and often get our residents involved in baking days, while providing nutritional information to help them make informed choices about their overall food choices.

We encourage residents to drink freely and independently if they are able, but to receive appropriate support if needed. All of our homes have plenty of fresh water, hot and cold drinks on offer at all times - day or night.

Physical Activity

Alongside the focus on nutrition and hydration, we're host regular tailored exercise classes, group walks, gardening session, dance classes, and other fun physical activities to help get us all moving, whatever our abilities!

The National Health Service (NHS) recommends that adults aged 65 and over should aim to be physically active every day, even if it's just light activity; do activities that improve strength, balance and flexibility on at least 2 days a week; do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity if you are already active, or a combination of both; reduce time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity.

Training

Our team members complete regular compulsory training around all aspects of food safety, nutrition, and hydration. This includes allergies, food handling and hygiene, aiding residents with any eating or drinking difficulties, and more. 

Throughout Healthy Eating Week 2023, we’ll be sharing posts from our homes on our Facebook pages, so make sure you’re following! Together, let us celebrate the power of healthy eating and its positive impact.

You can find out more about Each Other Care, our homes and our social media platforms here: https://www.eachothercare.co.uk/