Cooking With Seniors
One of the ways you may notice that your loved one needs support to stay independent in their home is if they start to have a hard time in the kitchen. This is especially difficult for people who have been the cooks of the family, as muscle memory may bring them into the kitchen, but short-term memory loss may cause them to leave the stove on and walk away from a boiling pot. When something like this happens to someone you love, Visiting Angels Cincinnati West is here to help with a compassionate caregiver who will partner with your loved one safely and keep them cooking and doing other things independently for many years to come. Call (513) 598-6770 to get matched with an Angel for your loved one today.
Beyond safety concerns, there are other reasons to consider having your loved one continue to cook with a caregiver. Fortunately, these benefits apply to seniors and people of all ages!
Cooking Benefits for Seniors
Cooking decreases stress – Cooking is a great way to calm down and unwind. One way to take advantage of this is to make recipes that involve repetitive actions, like kneading bread or cutting cookies.
Cooking triggers memories – Most people have positive memories associated with cooking and the smell of good food. Scientists say that smell is the quickest access to memories that humans have. Making favorite dishes can trigger those positive emotions and help them relive parts of their past. Telling stories about treasured moments or passing on family recipes can give seniors good feelings that carry for many days.
Cooking can help with depression and anxiety - The positive emotions generated by cooking can help combat depression and anxiety in seniors. Getting away from their emotions for a little while helps by focusing on something that needs their full attention.
Cooking boosts the appetite – Appetite can decrease with age; our senses may degrade, leaving us with less inclination to taste sweet things or smell the wonderful scent of fresh baked bread. The great thing about being in the kitchen is that you are up close to the spices and scents and able to sample parts of the meal as it is being prepared. So even if they aren’t hungry for what they helped cook, seniors can get some calories along the way.
Cooking encourages inventiveness – Cooking can be a creative outlet, especially if you have a partner to try out your twists on the recipe. A home care companion can be the perfect foil for a senior that likes to kick up the heat or switch out vegetables with a varied color palette. While baking requires a stricter approach to ensure that the recipe turns out right, you can play with portion sizes and toppings to have fun.
Cooking keeps people socially conscious – Cooking is ideal as a bonding activity, as is eating food together. Most cultures have customs about offering food to guests, and the kitchen is often a gathering place during holidays or large parties. Research has shown that we all benefit from maintaining social activities when we grow older; pair this with having fun making something together, and cooking is a guaranteed winner with a home care Angel.
Cooking preserves a sense of independence – Seniors often feel like they are losing what makes them independent as activities they once enjoyed become difficult or impossible to do on their own. Things that were simple or brought them joy are now not options to keep them busy during their day. Being able to cook, even with a companion, can help ground some seniors.
Visiting Angels Can Help
To find out more about how Visiting Angels Cincinnati West can help your senior loved one stay in their homes independently, contact us through our website or call (513) 598-6770.