Nutrition

Maintaining a high level of nutrition in the elderly is one of the most important aspects of long-term care. Without nutritional supervision, seniors may quickly experience changes in overall health difficult to reverse.

In a Ridgeline community, nutritional need determination is a vital part of the resident and family conference. Special dietary needs are discussed and communicated to the community dining services staff.

Special diets that may be accommodated include:

• diabetic/low sugar
• mechanical soft 
• vegetarian 
• low or high protein
• low carbohydrate 

And, all of our meals are prepared with no added salt in order to help control sodium intake for all residents. Hydration is also encouraged and monitored. Residents are encouraged at all times to drink water and fruit juices to maintain a satisfactory level of hydration. Although residents have the choice to purchase soft drinks for themselves, we do not provide such beverages with a high sugar or caffeine content.

Menus

In a Ridgeline community, residents are offered entree choices for each meal or may take advantage of a deli sandwich as an alternative to the menu choices. Dietician approved seasonal menus are provided to the dining services staff as a service of Sysco foods, a Portland, OR-based food service company. Menus allow for adjustments by staff to allow for regional tastes and desires. And, residents may always share a favorite recipe with the community Dining Services Coordinator to make for everyone!