6 Tips and Tricks for Hectic Holiday Cooking If You Have Dementia
Cooking over the holiday season can be hectic for loved ones with dementia. There are many things to do, and knowing where to start can be challenging. With some preparation, you can make the holiday season a little easier for you and your elderly loved one.
Below are six tips and tricks for hectic holiday cooking if you are recently diagnosed with dementia. Seniors can stay organized and make the most of their time in the kitchen.
1. Create a Shopping List
Making your shopping list should be the first step in your planning. The shopping list should thoroughly include all the recipes of the dishes your senior loved ones want to cook. A family member or friend can help create the shopping list. The family members can also go with seniors to the store and help them shop. Seniors should try shopping at stores close to home. It helps save them time and hassle.
2. Prepare Meal Plans Ahead of Time
Meal planning can help to reduce the stress of cooking during the holidays. It gives a clear idea of what seniors will be cooking. Your family or friends can help you with the planning, grocery shopping, food preparation, and clean up. It will lighten your workload and give you enough time to relax and enjoy the holidays.
3. Stick to Simple Recipes
For seniors with dementia, it is best to stick to simple recipes. These recipes have fewer ingredients and more straightforward steps. Furthermore, you can use tried-and-true family recipes to reduce stress and decrease frustration brought by trying out complicated or new recipes.
If a recipe requires too many steps or strange ingredients, it may be best to avoid it altogether. Preparing a few simple dishes makes cooking manageable. It also prevents being overwhelmed in the kitchen.
4. Get Creative with Meals
Creativity goes a long way in dementia care. Seniors don't have to cook meals from scratch. Shortcuts like pre-made marinades, prepared sauces, and pre-chopped vegetables make things more manageable. Additionally, you can plate meals creatively to increase their appeal.
5. Pair Cooking with Stimulating Activities
Critical-thinking activities help people with dementia enjoy the holidays. Pairing cooking with stimulating activities relieves stress, helps sharpen memory, helps them maintain their sense of purpose, can reduce agitation, and helps ward off negative emotions. It makes the experience enjoyable for seniors with dementia. For example, a reading session before or after the meal is a great way to help keep the mind sharp. Playing music or singing songs together is also an excellent way to stimulate memory.
6. Use Kitchen Technology and Apps
Utilizing kitchen technology and apps can help make the whole process easier. Intelligent devices are perfect help for those who want to automate tasks. You don't have to do everything by yourself. An example is the Crock-Pot Express Multi-Cooker.
Smart cookers also relieve seniors during extended cooking times. They have voice-controlled features, which makes them easier to use. With the click of a button, seniors with dementia can start dinner.
Several helpful cooking apps feature recipes and step-by-step instructions. Seniors can access them from a phone or tablet. These apps are great. They provide clear directions and drop the need for detailed measurements or cookbooks.
Connect with Home Aide Services to Receive Extra Support
When it comes to holiday cooking, seniors with dementia sometimes need extra help. Home aide services can provide respite and support during the cooking process. Additionally, they can help calm any anxieties or stress that may come along the way. Seniors can get help with meal selection, preparation, and clean-up.
Senior Helpers Santa Monica is an excellent option for those looking for a home aide service provider. We offer comprehensive non-medical senior care in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades, and Marina del Rey. Contact us at (424) 252-9008 to schedule an in-home assessment.