The Integrated Senior Foundation (ISF) has introduced its Nutritional Food Sensitivity Awareness Program, offered free to residents of ISF-owned communities and Insight Living managed properties, such as Ativo Yuma. In partnership with Precision Point and supported by Integrated Senior AI (ISAI), the initiative brings a proactive, data-driven approach to supporting resident health and safety.
Food sensitivities are not limited to children—nearly half of U.S. adults with allergies developed at least one in adulthood, with prevalence among seniors estimated at ≈8.8–9% [1–3]. In addition, up to 65% of Americans 65 and older take multiple prescriptions, raising the risk of food–drug interactions or cofactors such as NSAIDs, which are involved in as many as 25% of food-induced anaphylaxis cases [4–5]. At the same time, 36% of Americans experience lactose malabsorption, and about 1% have undiagnosed celiac disease [6–7]. These figures underscore why proactive testing is critical to distinguish allergies from intolerances, personalize diets, and improve safety.
With this program, ISF is simplifying access and making testing free for all eligible residents.
Why Now?
Residents often ask, “Why test now if I’ve always eaten the same foods?” The truth is that sensitivities can change over time. Age, health conditions, and medications may trigger new reactions. What once caused minor issues may now present as fatigue, skin irritation, digestive upset, or breathing problems—symptoms that are too often attributed to “normal aging.” Identifying these hidden sensitivities can make a meaningful difference in everyday comfort and long-term well-being.
Research also shows medications can affect how sensitivities develop and how severe they become. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin increase intestinal permeability, while beta-blockers can reduce the effectiveness of emergency epinephrine during severe reactions [8–9]. Combined with polypharmacy and age-related immune changes, IgE testing has become an essential tool for improving safety and care in older adults.
Resident Benefits
IgE testing is the gold standard for detecting immune responses to allergens and can reveal sensitivities that might otherwise be overlooked [3].
Each resident receives an easy-to-understand report of their responses to 88 foods, divided into:
- No Limitation
- Rotate
- Eliminate
For many, this testing offers clarity to unexplained, ongoing symptoms. Over time, ISF plans to integrate results with its dining program, refining menus and reducing resident exposure to triggers.
Expert Insights
In collaboration with Precision Point Diagnostics, ISF provides a clinically validated IgE test that is private, straightforward, and reliable. These results help care teams and residents tailor meal and medication choices for improved wellness.
“Many residents think discomfort or new symptoms are just part of aging,” said Bryan Ziebart, CEO of Insight Living and ISF partner. “This program helps uncover hidden sensitivities and empowers residents with information to feel better every day.”
Yasaman Fatapour, PhD, explained: “Reliable IgE data for seniors on multiple medications is crucial. It helps clinicians identify risks, tailor prescriptions, and design dining plans that prevent reactions, improving safety overall.”
Regional Nurse Monica Chapman, RN, BSN, added: “I’m excited to support free food sensitivity testing. With this, we can personalize meals and medication plans based on real data. Even inactive ingredients can trigger problems, so understanding sensitivities helps us avoid unnecessary side effects and keep residents healthier.”
Technology in Action
ISAI powers the analytics and integration that make these results actionable. By aligning Precision Point’s testing with ISAI’s systems, ISF ensures that residents of Ativo Yuma benefit from customized, data-driven care strategies across assisted living and memory care communities.
All residents are encouraged to take advantage of this free program by reaching out to their Executive Director.
Want More Information?
Contact us today to learn how this complimentary food sensitivity program can improve comfort and everyday living.
References
1. Wang, J., & Sampson, H. A. (2019). Food allergy in older adults: epidemiology and challenges. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol, 19(3), 210–216. doi:
10.1097/ACI.0000000000000520
2. Warren, C. M., Jiang, J., & Gupta, R. S. (2021). Epidemiology and burden of adult-onset food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract, 9(4), 1656–1665. doi:
10.1016/j.jaip.2020.11.005
3. Gupta, R. S., et al. (2019). Prevalence and severity of food allergies among US adults. JAMA Netw Open, 2(1):e185630. doi:
10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5630
4. Kantor, E. D., et al. (2015). Trends in prescription drug use among adults in the United States from 1999–2012. JAMA, 314(17):1818–1831. doi:
10.1001/jama.2015.13766
5. Worm, M., et al. (2018). NSAIDs as cofactors in food-induced anaphylaxis. Allergy, 73(8):1561–1572. doi:
10.1111/all.13461
6. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Lactose intolerance. Reviewed March 2023.
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance
7. Rubio-Tapia, A., et al. (2012). The prevalence of celiac disease in the United States. Am J Gastroenterol, 107(10):1538–1544. doi:
10.1038/ajg.2012.219
8. Maseda, D., & Ricciotti, E. (2020). NSAID–Gut Microbiota Interactions. Front Pharmacol, 11:1153. doi:
10.3389/fphar.2020.01153
9. Devlin, H. (2022). Food hypersensitivity in adults much more common than thought. The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/dec/19/food-hypersensitivity-adults-more-common-uk