What Caregivers Should Know About Cooking With Loved Ones With Memory Diagnoses

Food is something that’s brought humans together for centuries. People break bread as a sign of peace, agreement or fellowship. Families gather for daily meals or holiday feasts. Take a moment to think about your life and some of your strongest memories, and chances are food is somehow involved in at least a few of them.

One of the reasons food memories can be so strong is that they’re steeped in sensory experiences. You see, smell, touch, taste and even hear food. The sound and smell of bacon frying in the morning can awaken your senses and invoke memories, and the texture of Grandma’s fresh-baked bread is accompanied by the sight of it slathered in butter and the smell and taste of it.

Sensory experiences can be important for anyone who has a memory diagnosis, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. Strong sensory experiences can help invoke some memories or put memory and focus functions that still exist to use. All the great food experiences in the world won’t stop a memory disease from progressing, but they can help someone in any stage of these diseases better enjoy life and connect with others.

Here’s what caregivers should know about cooking with loved ones who have memory diagnoses.

Benefits of Cooking for Those With Memory Diagnoses

One of the biggest benefits of cooking with a memory diagnosis is that it involves the person in something they may have enjoyed or been involved with all their life. While sensory food experiences might be beneficial for almost anyone, they can be especially stimulating for people who’ve always liked to cook or who were generally involved in preparing meals for themselves and their families. In this case, cooking can bring back that sense of purpose and help the individual feel more involved as an important member of the family or household.

Being able to do something for yourself provides dignity and independence — something that’s important for everyone, including those who are at any stage of a memory condition. In early stages, someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s can often prepare an entire meal, especially if it’s one they’ve prepared many times before. As the disease progresses, the person may still be able to make a simple meal or snack, and even later in disease progression, an older adult may be able to plate snacks or make a sandwich with some oversight from a caregiver. Supporting these activities at all stages of the disease process supports dignity and quality of life.

Cooking can be an inherently social experience, especially when done with or around others. We gather in kitchens to chat as some people prepare food, and then family and friends gather again to enjoy the food that was prepared. Ensuring you invite your older loved one with a memory condition into that social setting can be important, as it contributes to positive support and personal interactions that are important for everyone. Cooking is also a great way to do this because it doesn’t put pressure on the older adult to talk, remember previous conversations or even know people’s names. They can be present helping with the meal and enjoying the company while entering those conversations as they’re comfortable.

How to Engage Older Adults at the Various States of Dementia in Cooking

Of course, safety is a concern, and caregivers and families should keep the safety of the older adult and everyone else in mind. Look for signs that you might need to simplify the cooking routine as someone experiences deepening dementia. They might include:

• Struggling with recipes that were well-known
• Getting mixed up with meal prep, such as using the wrong ingredients or amounts
• Leaving out important and major steps on a regular basis
• Not using equipment correctly or safely
• Being unable to tell whether food is good or bad, such as using spoiled food when cooking

As dementia or memory care issues worsen, caregivers might use some of the tips below to safely involve their loved ones in cooking:

• Find simple recipes. Recipes with a few ingredients and only a couple of steps might work best. Look for recipes that are forgiving, such as Instant Pot casserole recipes.
• Use different tools. Invest in safer knives, such as those that you might use when children are learning to help in the kitchen. Consider using appliances such as crock pots for cooking, rather than the stove, as there’s less chance of injury if someone forgets the crock pot is on.
• Put appliances away. Avoid leaving appliances on the counter when you’re not using them, as they might be turned on and forgotten about.
• Provide non-cooking jobs. Ask your older loved one to prepare foods that don’t involve cooking. Putting together a charcuterie board can be a great option, as you can provide colorful ingredients and let the older adult create pretty platters to share with friends and loved ones.

Using a common-sense approach to cooking with an older loved one with memory issues helps keep everyone safe in the kitchen. And cooking together lets you monitor things for safety while enjoying time together.