Meet Me in the Kitchen: There are Therapeutic Benefits of Cooking for Seniors with Dementia.
If an aging loved one is faced with a memory disorder, such as Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, they may start to withdraw. Becoming more disengaged, the affected senior may avoid social interaction or not enjoy their normal activities or passions in the same way that they used to.
How can we help to reverse this trend? We’ve found that planning fun and engaging activities can make a world of difference.
As a part of our Memory Care program our Memory Care Program at Home Health Solutions Group, we plan activities that are designed to activate the senses, trigger happy memories, and encourage social bonding. From arts and crafts, to gardening, to singing songs, we plan a wide variety of different activities for our senior patients to enjoy and bond over in the comfort of their homes. One of our favorite sensory-activating activities? Cooking!
How does cooking help engage seniors with Alzheimer’s? Let’s highlight a few ways that cooking-related activities can help to soothe the anxiety or frustration that often accompanies dementia-related illnesses:
Touch, smell, sight, and taste: cooking activates it all! When baking a cake, for example, seniors can be brought into the moment as they put their hands through the cool, soft dough. As the cake is baking in the oven, seniors can enjoy the delicious, sweet aromas. Pull the cake out of the oven and seniors can decorate it however they want, activating their visual senses and sparking their creativity! And, of course, let’s not forget the best part: tasting the delicious cake they’ve just created!
Not only does cooking make our taste buds happy, but it also triggers positive memories of sharing and preparing meals with loved ones. The very smell of something delicious baking in the oven can trigger happy memories of cooking with family, a warm sense of home.
When cooking, seniors can have fun working together with staff and peers, benefiting from the help and support of others. Since there is nothing quite like the love of food, it’s easy to bond with others over the deliciousness of a meal or dessert. The act of creating something delicious and beautiful provides seniors with a fun and social outlet for self-expression.
How do we incorporate cooking into our Memory Care Program at Home Health Solutions Group?
Every week, our patients join our caregivers in the kitchen for a special cooking demonstration and activity. We generally pick recipes that are easy to follow, making sure our residents feel accomplished and empowered. Baking a delicious dessert is always a hit! Our patients just love getting their hands in any kind of dough—and of course tasting the final product at the end!
Take a look at our most recent creations! The ice cream was a perfect complement to this perfect apple crisp.
Learn more about our senior activities program, and get ideas for different ways that you can engage your aging loved ones through sensory-activating activities, such as cooking! Feel free to connect with us; we’d love to meet you!
Happy cooking!
Home Health Solutions Group Agency is committed to providing a level of quality care that encourages the safe and cost-effective delivery of home health services
© 2018 Home Health Solutions Group.