Seniors may feel useless due to the deterioration of their bodies. But those restrictions shouldn’t decrease their quality of life. There are easy recipes for seniors – recipes they can cook and share with their families!
Benefits of Cooking
Believe it or not, cooking yields some benefits for our seniors.
Stimulates the senses. Cooking requires the help of sight, smell, taste, touch, and sometimes even sound. For seniors, these are senses that are becoming dull. Cooking is a very immersive activity that strengthens these senses.
Familiar sounds, smells, tastes, and just senses in general also generate pleasantness in people. Cooking as a group activity is an incredible way to bond!
Improves Appetite
Seniors tend to lose their appetite. But cooking is one of the most effective ways to increase the appetite.
Being part of the preparation process makes people excited about the result. Also, the different aromas and the inviting look of food will engage the appetite.
Strengthens Memories
As was already alluded to above, the senses affect the moods of seniors. They are tied to emotions. Did you know that senses, particularly smell and taste, can bring back vivid memories?
Cooking can be a therapeutic activity for seniors, especially those living with dementia. Seniors who cook with their loved ones are more likely to remain emotionally and mentally stable as they age. And of course, favorite cooking meals further strengthens the emotional bond with the activity.
Easy Recipes for Seniors – and EVERYONE!
Now that we know why seniors have to be involved in cooking, let’s look at a few recipes easy enough to participate in cooking. Who knows? Maybe one of these recipes will become your next favorite meal.
One Pan Salmon and Vegetables
This recipe is not strictly a recipe. Any flaky fish like trout and tilapia will do. Any veggies you may have in the fridge will also do. You can even add potatoes to make it heartier.
But a rich, pink salmon is a low-calorie protein option. It’s filled with omega-3 fatty acids, which are suitable for the heart. And it is rich in B vitamins, which provide energy.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 salmon fillets, around 4 oz each
- 1 squash or zucchini, sliced into rounds
- 3 tbs olive oil
- 1 bell pepper, cut to pieces
- 1/2 onion, cut into wedges (cut in half repeatedly until there are 4 or more pieces)
- 1 cup of grape or cherry tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon of your favorite fish-seasoning blend (Cajun seasoning recommended)
- Vegetable oil
- 1 lemon (optional)
How to Cook:
- Grease pan with vegetable oil, thoroughly. Put the pan on high heat (450 F)
- In a large container, toss all veggies with the fish-seasoning blend and two tablespoons of olive oil
- Spread the veggies on the pan
- Nestle salmon fillets beside the veggies. The skin should be touching the pan. Brush with the rest of the olive oil
- Top each salmon with two thin lemon slices (optional)
- Roast salmon for 12-15 minutes or until salmon becomes flaky
- Serve each salmon fillet with the vegetables for a healthy meal!
Stir-Fried Vegetables
Here is another nutritious meal even seniors can cook. It is so flexible – you can easily create this rich and tasty meal with pretty much any veggies and meat you have on hand.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (mushrooms, broccoli, peppers, zucchini, onions, etc.)
- 1/2 pound protein (sliced steak, cubed tofu or chicken meat, or even fish will do)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil (non-hydrogenated)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- A pinch of ginger powder or 1 teaspoon of sliced fresh ginger
How to cook:
- Medium-heat oil in a pan or skillet (if you can hold your hand 2 inches over the pan for 4 seconds, that’s medium heat).
- Cook the protein, stirring constantly until medium browned.
- Throw in the chopped mixed vegetables and cook until veggies are soft.
- Remove meat and veggies from the pan and set them aside.
- Mix the remaining ingredients in a small bowl. This will be the sauce.
- Throw mixture into the pan and let it simmer for 3 three minutes or until thickened.
- Add the vegetables and meat back into the pan and mix thoroughly.
- Serve with either rice or noodles. Enjoy!
Bond with Seniors of the Family – Get Cooking!
Cooking is a great way to bond with the family, including senior members. It yields many benefits for all. Plus, sharing a meal afterward, the family’s meal members helped each other, adding unity to the feed.
Why spend on an expensive treatment when something as simple as cooking together enhance the well-being of your loved one? It doesn’t have to be an extravagant or costly affair; these simple recipes can give great joy and add quality to your life.
Get cooking – together! Bond together! And in the process boost the health of the entire family. No matter how you look at it, it’s a win-win situation!
Need Help with Meal Preparations?
Although the recipes provided above are pretty simple and easy to make, seniors may sometimes struggle with them. If your elderly parents need help with meal preparations, get an in-home caregiver today!
Infinite Love Homecare provides affordable home care services that include meal preparations or going to the grocery – basically anything your senior parents might need. Give your senior family members the chance to live their quality of living. Infinite Love Homecare caregivers are as many companions as they are healthcare providers.
For a free consultation, contact us at (949) 529-4130 or send us a message via our Contact Us page. For more info on the services we provide, visit our Services webpage.
References:
https://www.asccare.com/loss-appetite-elderly-sign-something-else/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/16-ways-to-increase-appetite#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2