RESIDENCES
Moving To A New Locale
Moving to a new locale can be daunting – but luckily there are resources available.
First look to see if there is a local Meetup group or local Team Charlie members through CharliesOasis.org.
Connecting with a local person can help you:
Learn about the grocery stores that have the best assortment of gluten-free foods.
Learn which stores are most likely to listen if you ask that a particular item or items be carried.
Tell you about which restaurants, bakeries and other food sources are gluten-free, which have gluten-free foods on their menus – and which to avoid. (Also see the app: FindMeGlutenFree).
Introduce you to other people in a similar situation – both for support and for information.
Look for a local or nearby gastroenterologist who specializes in celiac. To learn how, click here.
Look for a pharmacist who understands celiac and the needs of people with celiac disease. Click here.
If you have children who have to eat gluten-free, learn about parents and children in a similar situation that are open to getting together.
Also learn about local gyms and other places to exercise to help you live a healthy lifestyle. For information about choosing a gym, click here.
If you drink beer, keep in mind that the FDA regulations about labeling do not apply to beer which is made and sold just within a state. For instance, Oregon permits companies with beer from which gluten has been removed to label their beer “gluten-free.” (This is not the case anywhere else in the country.) To learn more, see: Beer, Lagers and Ales.
Your new home:
If you share the kitchen with a person who doesn’t follow a gluten-free diet, look for a kitchen that has enough counter space and storage cabinets that you can have at least one bit of counter space and one cabinet that is gluten-free.
If purchasing new appliances, and you share the kitchen, look for appliances that are easy to clean.
If purchasing pots and pans, look for ones that are easy to clean and not likely to retain residue.
To learn which products fit the guidelines, and for additional kitchen tips, see Kitchen.
TIPS
If your local grocery store(s) do not carry gluten-free foods, or particular brands you like, speak with the manager or buyer for the store. Stores want to carry what their customers want to buy. Some food companies have a printable store request form with information about the company and brand that you can hand directly to the store manager.
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
Choosing An Assisted Living Facility
It is wise to choose an assisted living facility carefully. There are some which are better than others with respect to accommodating people who need to eat gluten-free.
To start the search, you or whoever will do the leg work for you:
Learn about factors to consider when choosing an assisted living facility at SurvivorshipAtoZ.org
Speak with your gastroenterologist and dietitian to learn about which facilities in the area are better for people who need to eat gluten-free.
Search the internet for what you can learn about a “gluten-free climate” or “gluten-free” and the name of the assisted living facility.
Next:
Set up a meeting with the person in charge of housing, the person in charge of food service, the dietitian and the pharmacist.
If you will be eating with other people, set up a meeting with the dining service.
Prepare multiple copies of information from your physician with documentation about your health condition as well as copies of any gluten-free medications.
During your visit:
Meet with the food service director and the registered dietitian.
Explain to people about your dietary needs - including the need to eat gluten-free 100% of the time.
Get an overview of accommodations that are available, including availability of refrigerators and cooking appliances and which of the dining rooms serve gluten-free food. If cooking facilities will be shared, what accommodations exist to keep your area gluten-free and your food and cooking utensils safe from cross contamination
National Celiac Association suggests that you ask the following questions:
Do they have experience with serving gluten-free food?
Do they have a separate gluten-free menu and how many choices are on the menu each day?
How do they vet ingredients for gluten-free status? Label reading can be very complex. Do they have training about what to look for on a label?
Are gluten-free foods prepared separately from other foods?
Do they have dedicated equipment for gluten-free meal preparation? (i.e. toaster needs to be completely dedicated)
How are gluten-free foods stored, prepared, held and served?
Do they bake with regular flour in the kitchen? This is a high risk for cross-contamination because flour gets everywhere, including in the air.
Are all staff members trained with respect to preparing gluten-free foods?
How are foods vetted for gluten-free status?
Will you have to pre-order gluten-free meals?
Try to eat in the dining hall to find out the reality of gluten-free – and the quality and taste of the food offerings. Ask if you can see the kitchen to see the gluten-free area (or gluten-free kitchen) and procedures to avoid cross contamination.
Find out if you can speak with a person who lives in the facility who has to eat gluten-free for his or her opinion about the food.
Create a paper trail. For instance, if possible, make appointments by email.
Take notes in meetings.
Send follow up emails confirming your discussions. Of course, always be polite and thank people for their time and consideration. A bit of honey goes a good distance.
Do not be surprised if at least some of the people with whom you speak are not aware of celiac disease or gluten intolerance or what needs to be done to accommodate the health conditions. Be patient with your explanations.
While checking the facility, check nearby restaurants and grocery stores for gluten-free items. If the store(s) do not carry what you would like, speak with the manager and ask the store to carry the products. It would be helpful to let the manager know that you and your child will spread the word about the presence of the products and how user friendly the store is.
Once In An Assisted Living Facility
Keep to your gluten free diet.
Be a strong advocate. Remind everyone who does or may bring you food that you must eat gluten-free because of a health condition. If you become confined to bed, consider posting a reminder on the wall above your bed that alerts people about the need to be gluten-free.
Look for other residents who have celiac disease or need to eat gluten-free. You can help support each other and exchange information and advice.
If you share a refrigerator, it helps to have a variety of zip-lock bags and plastic containers to keep food in so it doesn’t get cross-contaminated. Also mark which food is yours.
It is easier to keep service on track if you keep a journal noting when you are glutened. Include what you ate, where you got it, when and the impact on you.
Check with the pharmacist, or if necessary, the manufacturer, to be sure that all of your medications, vitamins and supplements are gluten-free.
If someone else does your grocery shopping for you, make sure he or she understands how to read labels and where to go to find the foods you want. Consider suggesting the person read our information about shopping.
Last, but not least, watch for symptoms of being glutened such as diarrhea, sudden weight loss or loss of appetite.
RETIREMENT HOMES
Choosing A Retirement Homey From A Food Perspective
A person with a gluten related disorder can stay in any retirement facility. That said, there are some which are better than others with respect to accommodating people that need to eat gluten free.
Check with your gastroenterologist and dietitian for suggestions about facilities that may be more accommodating than others.
Once you have one or several choices in mind, search on the internet for what you can learn about a “gluten-free climate” or “gluten-free.”
Next: set up a visit or ask a family member or friend to do it for you. Set up a meeting with the person in charge of disabilities and dietitian. If you will be eating with other people, set up a meeting with the dining service.
Prepare multiple copies of information from your physician with documentation about your health condition as well as copies of any gluten-free medications.
Create a paper trail. For instance, if possible, make appointments by email. Take notes in meetings. Send follow up emails confirming your discussions. Of course, always be polite and thank people for their time and consideration. A bit of honey goes a good distance.
The disabilities office is likely to be able to provide an overview of accommodations that are available, including availability of refrigerators and cooking appliances and which of the dining rooms serve gluten-free food. If cooking facilities and/or a refrigerator will be shared, what accommodations exist to keep your area gluten free and your food and cooking utensils safe from cross contamination.
Do not be surprised if at least some of the people with whom you speak are not aware of celiac disease or gluten intolerance or what needs to be done to accommodate the health conditions. Be patient with your explanations.
While checking the facility, check nearby restaurants and grocery stores for gluten-free items. If the store(s) do not carry what you would like, speak with the manager and ask that the store carry the products. It wouldn’t hurt to let the manager know that you and your child will spread the word about the presence of the product and how user friendly the store is. You have nothing to lose.
During your visit:
Explain to people about your dietary needs - including the need to eat gluten-free 100% of the time. Be a strong advocate, particularly if the staff is not trained about gluten-free.
Try to eat in the dining hall to find out about the reality of gluten-free – and the quality and taste of the food offerings. Ask if you can see the kitchen to see the gluten-free area (or gluten-free kitchen) and procedures to avoid cross contamination.
It also would be helpful to have ongoing contact with food service staff. They are more likely to watch out for you
Once In A Retirement Home
Do not take retirement as a pass to eat gluten. The effect is the same as before – except that the older you are, the less strength your body has to fight gluten.
Look for other residents who have celiac disease or need to eat gluten-free. You can support each other and exchange information and advice.
If you share a refrigerator, it helps to have a variety of zip-lock bags and plastic containers to keep food in so it doesn’t get cross-contaminated. Also mark which food is yours (And keep gluten-free food on the top shelf.)
It is easier to keep food service on track if you keep a journal noting when you are glutened. Include what you ate, where you got it, when and the impact on you.