Chefs of All Ages Can Help This Thanksgiving Cooking Is for Everyone! Cooking can be a tradition passed down through generations, and often, our favorite dishes come from family recipes. This Thanksgiving, make room in the kitchen for chefs of all ages with a few modifications for older adults. Rethink Your Space Some kitchens were not designed with aging adults in mind, but that doesn’t mean you can’t update it for your loved one. If there is a task that can be done while sitting — like cutting vegetables or peeling potatoes — consider moving the prep for those tasks to the dining room table. You can also use anti-fatigue mats, which are designed to offer better support for those who experience pain after standing for too long. Furthermore, consider improved lighting, so older adults can see their work more easily. Get the Right Gadgets Just like the kitchen may not be mobility-friendly, the tools that are often used may exacerbate arthritis pain or limit a senior’s ability to work. For example, jars can be very difficult for older adults to open, and can openers require a lot of joint work. Consider using inexpensive tools like a jar opener or automatic can opener to lessen the pressure on an older adult’s arms. Other tools, like gloves that prevent cuts or bowls with extra grips, can help seniors find more stability in the kitchen.
Buddy Up Ask relatives of all ages to help with the meal prep and pair older and younger family members together. The younger family members will likely be able to see and hear potential obstacles more easily, and they may be able to do tedious tasks like opening jars. Meanwhile, the older family members can pass along their knowledge and tricks from years spent cooking in the kitchen, keeping family tradition and methods alive. At Visiting Angels, our team of caregivers is dedicated to ensuring our seniors can live independently in their homes for as long as possible, and cooking is a big part of that! If you would like to learn more about how we can help you create a better kitchen environment for your loved one, please call us.
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EASY CRANBERRY- APPLE SALAD
great way to get the conversation moving in a positive direction.
This can be as simple as going around the table and expressing your gratitude, or it can be as fun as this game I found online. It’s very simple. Pass out a few slips of paper and some pens. Then ask everyone to write down what they are most thankful for this year. Ask them to get creative, because this is where it gets fun! Everyone places their gratitude notes into the jar, and one by one, you pull out the slips of paper, and everyone has to guess who wrote what. It’s trickier than you may think, but it’s guaranteed to get everyone cracking up! This Thanksgiving, I hope you don’t leave the table feeling tired from anything other than eating too much turkey or laughing too hard. Focus on what you’re grateful for and promote a positive, easy celebration among those you are lucky enough to spend this day with. Happy Thanksgiving!
Want the taste of fall without the calories? Try this quick and easy salad, topped with homemade apple cider vinaigrette.
Directions 1. In a skillet over medium heat, toast the pumpkin seeds until fragrant, then set aside. 2. In a small jar or bowl, Ingredients For the salad: • 1/4 cup dried pumpkin seeds • 5 cups salad mix • 2 Granny Smith apples, chopped into bite-size pieces • 1/3 cup dried cranberries • 1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled
For the dressing: • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 1 1/2 tsp honey • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • Salt and pepper to taste
3. Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing until lightly coated, then toss and serve!
Cindy Saunders, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
whisk together all dressing ingredients, then set aside.
Inspired by CookieandKate.com
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