Cognitive wellness for every resident

FAQs about cognitive health in senior living 

• What type of meals should be served to residents with dementia?

  The best meals for residents with dementia are familiar, recognizable and easy to manage. Hand-held foods, simpler presentation, smaller courses and strong color contrast can all help residents eat more independently. Brain-supportive ingredients can be built into dishes they already love. The report explains how meals adapt from independent living to memory care and skilled nursing, and how to keep texture-modified food appealing. 

• How can senior living communities support cognitive health through dining?

  Dining brings nutrition, routine, environment, social connection and staff support together several times a day, which makes it one of the strongest levers for cognitive health. The key is treating it as a coordinated system, not just a menu. The report outlines a five-phase framework for building senior living wellness programs around everyday dining and putting them into practice. 

• What is the best diet for brain health in older adults?

  The MIND and Mediterranean diets are among the most researched patterns for brain health. In one study, high adherence to the MIND diet was associated with a 53% lower risk of Alzheimer's disease. Sodexo built on that research to create a neuroprotective dietary pattern for older adults. The report shows how Sodexo's Vibrant Minds program turns the MIND diet for seniors into meals residents actually want to eat.

• How do you get residents with dementia to eat more at mealtimes?

  Low intake is often caused by barriers in the dining experience rather than appetite: unfamiliar food, cluttered tables, noise or a plate that's hard to see. Small changes in presentation, environment and service pacing can make a real difference. The report details the adjustments that work and how dementia training for staff helps teams support independence at every meal.

• What should I look for in a memory care dining program?

  Look beyond the menu. A strong memory care dining program shows how research becomes familiar food residents eat, how the dining room is designed for focus, how staff training is reinforced over time and how results are measured. The best programs apply the same principles across every level of care, not just one unit. The report includes nine questions to ask any potential partner and what strong answers should reveal.

• How do you measure whether a cognitive wellness program is working in senior living?

  Focus on whether daily experience is changing, not just whether a program has launched. Intake, meal refusal, hydration, weight stability, resident engagement and staff adoption all show whether an approach is working and where to adjust it. The report outlines the measures communities can track, who should review them and a 30-60-90 day roadmap for continuous refinement.