Cooking
The conversation and reminiscing generated by cooking activities draws on deep memories. It is also a social activity that will facilitate friendships.
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Pie Taquitos
Our people loved them, they had fun making them! A bit messy but worth it! So simple.
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How to Make Challah
Challah is a special Jewish bread eaten on ceremonial occasions such as Sabbath and other Jewish holidays. It is a delicious braided bread covered with poppy or sesame seeds.
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Brazilian Cheese Puffs (aka ‘Pão de Queijo’)
This recipe is so simple and so delicious! Pão de Queijo is a popular savoury Brazilian snack and breakfast food.
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Two Vegan Friendly Recipes for Seniors
Here are 2 lovely recipes to enjoy on World Vegan Day! Soft-Bake Sugar Cookies and a Classic Chocolate Cake (that's vegan!)
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4th of July Jell-o Dessert
A fun and delicious dessert to make with residents!
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Shortbread Biscuits
This is a really simple baking recipe, which is good for all residents. Your residents can use their hands to mix the ingredients into a bread-crumb consistency, before pulling it all together in a dough.
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Cooking Activities for Puréed and Mechanical Soft Diets
Swallowing disorders can occur at any age but are more common among the elderly, particularly those living with dementia or affected by strokes. Dysphagia is the medical term to describe difficulty swallowing.
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Fortune Fun
Have the residents write their own fortunes/lucky numbers on small pieces of paper. Then get them to help create the dough for the fortune cookies! These cookies can be used for dessert at dinner or as a snack. Either way, the residents will enjoy creating the cookies and sharing their words of wisdom with the rest of the community.
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Cookie Pops
Buy Pillsbury cookie dough. Put a popsicle stick in each ball and bake. They are fun to make and fun to eat.
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8 Hot and Cold Drinks to Share in Good Company
In nursing homes and other long term care facilities, the morning and afternoon coffee breaks are very special times when residents may welcome relatives and visitors to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee; strengthen friendships, and catch up with peers and staff.
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Retro Recipe: Coronation Chicken
Easy to make and so tasty, coronation chicken is a recipe many seniors will remember from their pasts.
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Retro Recipe: Devilled Eggs
Another simple retro recipe seniors will love!
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Pumpkin Scones Recipe
Another fun recipe for Halloween. Easy to make in a group setting.
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Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Make a delicious pumpkin pie to enjoy on Halloween!
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Tuesday Juice Day
Make freshly squeezed juices for residents to enjoy.
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Gluten-free Peanut Cookies
Many years ago when I found myself with 3 celiac (coeliac) clients - all three with a ‘sweet tooth’ - I came across this recipe. Even those without special dietary requirements loved them.
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Gluhwein Gift (Mulled Wine)
Use empty jars from the kitchen or use Mason jars to fill with the spices and sugar needed to make Gluhwein. Tie a little tag around the jar with the recipe for making Gluhwein. A stylish gift!
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Make, cook and eat
Bomb Alaska. I have made this often, It is easy, quick and so yummy.
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Make Your Own Easy Croissants
4 ingredient chocolate croissants: Eggs, Water, Puff Pastry & Chocolate Chips!
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Food Safety Considerations for the Elderly
As we age, the immune system weakens and we become more prone to illness, indigestion, reflux and food poisoning.
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Safe Cheese Spreads for the Elderly
Safe alternative cheese spreads for the elderly.
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Cooking With Elders in Assisted-living Facilities
In my experience, cooking is one of the most enjoyable activities to share with elders in assisted-living facilities. All you need to start a therapeutic cooking program at your facility is a little enthusiasm, creative spirit, and patience!
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Hydrating Drinks
The best way to inspire people to drink is to involve them in process of making drinks. Home-made lemonade and orangeade are both excellent thirst quenchers, delicious and without preservatives or additives.
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Beer Hummus
Celebrate International Beer Day with Beer Hummus and crackers!
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Pancake treat
The smell fills the room and some residents have several so make them small to spread them out...
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Milo Truffles
Easy to make, 4 ingredient, truffles!
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Moo Mobile
Once a fortnight as a change from icecream trolley, we have a milkshake trolley known as the 'Moo Mobile'
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Iced patty cakes
I made patty cakes and our residents iced and put sprinkles on the cakes then had them for morning tea. They thought it was great!
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Rosh HaShanah Apple and Honey Cream
Rosh HaShanah is the Jewish New Year. There are many symbolic food customs to celebrate with, this is just one of them. Serve with morning or afternoon tea.
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Poppy Seed Cake for International Youth Day
Intergenerational activities can be fun and soothing for all involved.
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All-American Hot Dog Recipe
Food brings people together and hot dogs are among America's favourite foods.
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French Croissants for Bastille Day
There are many stories about the creation of the French 'croissant', the following is just one of them.
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Friendship Afternoon
Freshly baked bread, a cup of tea and the opportunity to reminisce. A wonderful social activity for the elderly.
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Kumara (Sweet potato) Salad Recipe
This is a delicious and easy to make sweet potato salad.
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Home-Made Lemonade
Here is an easy way to make home-made lemonade
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Sandwich Making
Celebrate Sandwich Day by inviting a group of clients and their families to partake in some trivia and sandwich making!
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Sweet Potato Pie for Thanksgiving
This desert is a thanksgiving tradition and comfort food at its best!
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Oktober Fest Lunch
Celebrate October Fest with a typical German Lunch: Weisswurst and sauerkraut in a bun with loads of mustard.
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Brigadeiro - Brazilian chocolate bon-bons Recipe
Brazil is a large country and the cuisine varies from state to state. Brigadeiro however, is a type of chocolate bon-bon very popular from north to south and from east to west. All Brazilians love it and I think most people would too.
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Indian Potato Dip
Delicious with chapati!
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Pavlicious
Purchase 2 or 3 Pavlova bases, some whipped cream, strawberries, bananas, or any other seasonal fruits at the time.
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Garlic Soup Recipe & Trivia
Garlic Soup This garlic soup is delicious to have any time of the year but it is especially good in winter.
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Gluhwein Recipe
Glühwein is a warm spiced wine traiditional of Germany and Austria. It is the alternative to a cup of tea on a cold winter's day. A glass of Glühwein and a game of cards is a good activity for relaxation and social time.
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Mexican sangria and bean dip
Celebrate special days of Mexico with Mexican food and drinks!
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Egg Salad & Hindu Eggs
Here are some egg recipes if you don't know what to do with so many boiled eggs at the end of Easter!
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Greek Eggplant Dip
A delicious eggplant dip to enjoy with Greek Pita Bread on the National Day of Greece
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Jamaican Punch Recipe
Here's a recipe for a delicious Jamaican Punch to be served with cocktail umbrellas!
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Apple Sauce for Oktoberfest
This is a great recipe to make any time of the year but especially in October in time for Oktoberfest! Everybody can join in peeling apples, grating lemon zest and reminiscing about other sauces around a large table.
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Indian Chai Tea Recipe
This is my own recipe. You may ask an Indian friend or search online for other ways of making it. If you prefer you may buy it ready-made in Indian shops and some supermarkets.
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French Toast for Mother's Day Breakfast
Wonderful cooking aromas will bring everyone to the breakfast room!
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Pancake Day Party
Pancakes are easy to make and the fillings can be savoury or sweet. The aroma throughout the facility will have people coming from everywhere the see what’s cooking!
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Multicultural Food Day
Enjoy a multicultural food day to celebrate the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jnr.
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Australia Day Damper Recipe
Damper is so easy to make - all you need is a hot oven and some very basic ingredients! Here is a recipe well worth trying!
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Pumpkin Soup Making
Good for reminiscing about family life. Friendship and cooperation may be enhanced.
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Knicker Bocker Glory
Get different fruits that are in season, let residents help prepare them this makes for a good talking point.
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I appreciate the time and effort you put into finding and creating activities for seniors. I especially appreciate the freebies as I am a volunteer which implies I do not receive a paycheck so I really count on the free items your site offers and put them to good use at the PC and Dementia facility I volunteer at.
Merrilynn Wheeler
Executive Board Member
United States
