Ep 58 Senior’s Residence Guide
Let’s start the blog with the Show Notes for this episode:
This week I speak with Edith Lalanne to find out more about the publication of the Practical Guide to Gluten-Related Disorders and the Gluten-Free Diet for Public and Private Senior’s Residences and Meals-on-Wheels Services. Edith explains how the booklet came about and how best to use it as a resource guide. It can be purchased from the Canadian Celiac Association on their website at www.celiac.ca and from the Fondation Quebecoise de la Maladie Coeliaque on their website at www.fqmc.org
Sue’s Websites and Social Media –
Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com
Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com
Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast
Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA
Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com
Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com
Instagram – @suesgfbaking
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL
(search Sues Gluten Free Baking)
Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com
Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com
My Thoughts –
Organizing the move of a senior relative into a retirement residence is something you don’t think much about until you have to do it. In four months last year, I assisted with three of these difficult moves. As a family we have been fortunate that our loved ones were in a position to make the choice to move willingly, which made our job much easier and less stressful.
During our visits to different homes, we were often offered a meal. This is one way to let prospective residents know what to expect if they moved in. It did throw a bit of a wrench into the works when I had to eat gluten free. I wasn’t the prospective resident, but I was the one requiring the special meal.
On every occasion, I was pleasantly surprised with what was presented to me. One of the wait staff even admitted he was celiac and assured me that the kitchen took gluten free very seriously. I enjoyed my meals on those days, and continue to enjoy the food when I visit and eat with my relatives.
My experience was very positive, but I do know that this is not always what happens. In years past, I have heard of instances when the elderly were told their gluten free diet would not be catered for and the best way to eat gluten free was to supply their own food. Since this was not my relative, it was difficult to get involved, and became a cause of great stressful for the family. The practical guide could not have come too soon.
Trying to be positive, I hope the bad experiences are behind us, and the more enlightened chefs and executive chefs (the ones really making the decisions) are understanding the gluten free diet and striving to get it right. At my last meal with my parents, the server told me there were 3 (out of 100) residents on a gluten free diet, and served me a tasty nutritious meal.