Our chefs strive to bring joy and ignite memories through food for our residents. They love to make traditional dishes to comfort a new resident and make them feel welcome. Our culinary team enjoys the challenge of making appealing meals made-from-scratch. And many of our chefs are known to entertain and teach in our demonstration kitchens. Dining at Aegis Living is an experience of flavor, color, creativity, and new friends.   Senses of Taste and Smell A normal part of the aging process is our senses of taste and smell will fade. If your loved one can no longer smell the comforting aroma of a fresh cup of brewed coffee, a plate of hot-from-the-oven cookies, or freshly baked bread, this can decrease appetite. A loss of appetite in seniors has detrimental health effects, including weight loss, poor nutrition, a weakened immune system, and even depression. The lack of taste and smell can negatively impact their quality of life and outlook. And it can lead to high blood pressure or diabetes when seniors use excess sugar or salt to try to improve the flavor.   At Aegis Living, our expert team of chefs makes cuisine that is not only delicious and flavorful but also visually appealing to encourage an appetite in our residents. Our dining rooms are social events where our residents enjoy each other’s company while getting immune-boosting, nutritious meals to keep them healthy. We also offer and encourage healthy snacks and beverages throughout the day to keep our residents adequately hydrated and to make sure they are getting enough calories to stay active and fit.   Dining with Dignity For some seniors, eating can be difficult. Swallowing and chewing may be hard. At Aegis Living, we have created an offering of small bites for residents who need a simplified way of eating. And to offer a way to dine with dignity, we have a rotating menu of purees and smoothies to drink through a straw. We accommodate people with a variety of dietary limitations and food allergies, to ensure they can still enjoy fine dining with quality food. We want everyone to enjoy their dining experience. If a resident has a mealtime challenge, we will adapt our food options and help them enjoy dining again.   The Value of Good Nutrition For an elderly loved one who has prepared and served hundreds of meals over their lifetime, you may be surprised that they now struggle with this task. Or for a loved one who never cooked, they may be taking shortcuts with their diet or opt for fast food. When your loved one moves to an assisted living or memory care community, they no longer need to grocery shop, drive to the store, walk up and down the aisles, clip coupons, load and unload groceries, prep meals, and clean up. Meal prep can be a monumental task, so they might opt for quick and less healthy options when on their own. Making meals is one stress that they will no longer need to manage when living in an assisted living or memory care community. We serve three chef-prepared meals each day, plus delicious snacks and beverages throughout the day. They will eat better, feel better, and improve their quality of life.   Meals are Social Events For many seniors who live alone at home, they can feel very isolated during mealtimes. This isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression, which is common among the elderly. One of the many benefits of living in an assisted living or memory care community is that residents will have a neighbor or friend to dine with and share their meals. Meals are social events where residents enjoy time together while getting nutritious foods to boost their immunity to keep them healthy and active. Studies have shown that seniors eat more food and make healthier food decisions when in the company of friends.