Compassionate Cuisine
What is Compassionate Cuisine?
Here at Walnut Valley, we understand not only the physiological need for nutrition and hydration, but the joy and fulfilment that comes from enjoying our favorite foods and the social dining experience. For most it is an incredibly important part of our social being and daily life. We have worked to design a philosophy and approach to dining so that each resident suffering from dementia can still enjoy their favorites foods, feel a social connection, and nourish their bodies, all while maintaining their dignity.
Why do we do this?
For many seniors, creating nutritious meals at home can becoming a daunting task, and often result in weight loss, declining health, and isolation. Our Passionate Cuisine programming is created to not only maintain our resident’s health and stamina, but to keep them socially engaged.
How do we achieve this dining experience?
- Using quality and local ingredients
- A menu based on our residents likes rather than a generic menu sent by a corporate office
- Incorporating ethnic foods that relate to the resident’s cultural identities
- Creating a welcoming and social dining environment to avoid isolation
- A wide variety of options offered daily to stimulate appetite and avoid boredom
- Attention to heart healthy and other modified diets
- Chef demonstrations and cooking classes
- Trips to local restaurants
- Shopping at the local farmer’s market