Every grain of sugar, every dash of salt, and each dollop of cream stirred into a mixing bowl tells a story. Baking, often seen as a hobby or skill, is a wonderfully engaging and therapeutic activity for older adults, regardless of experience level. It is a voyage of flavors and aromas that can reawaken cherished memories while creating a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Before we peek at some family recipes passed on by All Seniors Care residents and staff, let’s take a closer look at how baking can positively impact the lives of older adults, helping them connect with others, get physical, and even boost their cognitive function.
6 Benefits of Baking for Older Adults
Baking groups are a staple in retirement living communities because they offer several benefits to seniors, both physically and mentally. Here are a few key reasons why they are so popular:
1. Baking Provides Social Interaction
Baking can be a wonderful social activity. Older adults can bake with friends, family, or in group settings, encouraging positive connection and preventing feelings of isolation or loneliness. Also, sharing baked goods with others builds positive relationships while creating a sense of accomplishment and community.
2. Cognitive Health
Baking is an ideal activity for seniors. It’s not just about creating tasty treats, but also about keeping the mind active. It encourages attention to detail, problem-solving, and multitasking, all of which are beneficial for brain health.
When we follow recipes, it involves remembering multiple the steps, focussing on measuring ingredients, and paying attention to time. All of which keep the mind engaged and can help maintain and improve cognitive skills.
3. Baking is Physical
While not overly strenuous, baking is hands-on and does involve some level of physical activity. Kneading dough, whisking ingredients, and moving around the kitchen can help with coordination and motor skills.
If you who are more comfortable seated, no problem! With the right adaptations, everyone can enjoy the rewarding process of baking. Modifications can easily be made to accommodate all people of all physical abilities.
4. Baking is a Creative Outlet
Looking for something to help you relax, feel creative, and indulge your senses? Look no further. Baking and cooking require both reasoning and creativity, making them the perfect ingredients to leave you feeling refreshed and recharged … all while satisfying your inner artist.
Whether it’s decorating cakes or styling a meal on a plate, cooking gives people of all ages the freedom to express themselves in the kitchen. And the process of creating something from start to finish can also boost mood and relieve stress. It’s the perfect combo!
5. Sensory Stimulation
Baking stimulates the 5 sense senses. Six, if you count common sense. From feeling the weight and texture of the ingredients to the smell that fills the air and tasting the final product, baking stimulates smell, taste, touch, sight, and hearing.
The smells of baking can also evoke positive memories and feelings. This makes it an ideal sensory activity for older adults in assisted living or Memory Care.
6. Swapping Recipes and Sharing Stories
Baking offers a wonderful way for older adults to share cherished family recipes and stories, fostering a sense of continuity and legacy. A part of every culture and family, cooking and baking are great opportunities for multiple generations to connect and get to know one another. Through baking, we share the stories intricately kneaded into our lives.
All Seniors Care Shares Summer Recipes
Residents at Beacon Heights retirement homes Ottawa love social groups, especially those with a culinary twist. This is particularly true during the summer months when fresh, season fruit and vegetables are abundant. Here are some favourite recipes from ASC’s recent Strawberry Social and Pecan Pie Day events.
BLOSSOM Living Pecan Pie
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup dark Corn Syrup
3 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1–1/2 cups (6 ounces) coarsely chopped pecans
1 (9-inch) unbaked or frozen deep-dish pie crust
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix corn syrup, eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla using a spoon or a rubber spatula. Stir in pecans.
Pour the mixture into pie crust.
Bake on center rack of oven for 60 to 70 minutes. Cool for at least 2 hours on wire rack before serving.
Notes:
If you are using a prepared frozen pie crust, place cookie sheet in oven and preheat oven as directed. Pour filling into frozen crust and bake on preheated cookie sheet.
The pie is done when center reaches 200°F. Tap center surface of pie lightly – it should spring back when done. If pie crust is over-browning, cover edges with foil.
Lakeridge Heights Strawberry Jam
Lakeridge Heights in Whitby, ON warmed up for their Strawberry Social by making some deliciously sweet strawberry jam. Participants in the group were thrilled to take home some jam to enjoy with their loved ones – or save for themselves.
(Adapted from All Recipes)
INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled
1 1/4 cups white sugar
¼ cup lemon juice
Crush strawberries in a wide bowl in batches until you have 4 cups of mashed berries.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Combine mashed strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a heavy-bottomed saucepan; stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Continue to boil, stirring frequently, for 15 minutes or until the mixture reaches 220 degrees F (105 degrees C).
Check doneness by dropping a small spoonful of jam onto a frozen plate. Let sit for 1 to 2 minutes; if jam appears to gel, it is ready. Continue cooking if jam appears thin and runny.
Transfer jam into sterile jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Top with lids and screw rings on tightly.
Cool to room temperature. Store in a cool, dark area.
Victoria Landing Strawberry Sangria
This community for senior living Brandon, Manitoba loves to have fun! This beautiful cocktail can be enjoyed as a non-alcoholic – or not – beverage.
INGREDIENTS:
Strawberry syrup (allow time to chill):
2 cups sliced strawberries
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup water
Sangria:
3 cups sliced strawberries
1 cup raspberries
1 orange, halved and sliced
Juice of 1 orange
¼ cup orange liqueur, optional
750 ml sparkling water or sparkling rosé or white wine
Strawberry Syrup to Taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
Strawberry syrup:
Place the strawberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan set over medium heat. Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and juicy.
Set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and pour the strawberry mixture through the strainer. Use the back of a spoon to press the strawberries against the strainer, extracting as much juice/syrup as possible. Chill the syrup.
For the sangria:
Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir. Chill for several hours to allow the flavors to combine. Serve chilled over ice.
No Bake Fruit Smoothie Cheesecake
This is the perfect recipe to make with the grandkids! No oven needed, delicious, and (somewhat) nutritious! The recipe was provided by a resident and originally published in the ASC A Love of Food Cookbook
INGREDIENTS:
Crust:
1 ½ cups graham crumbs
¼ cup butter, melted
2 tbsp granulated sugar
Filling:
4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups frozen mixed berries, thawed, drained
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip Lite, thawed or other whipped cream
INSTRUCTIONS:
Crust:
Line 13″x9″ baking dish with parchment paper with ends extending over the sides of the pan.
Mix crumbs and butter in a bowl. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan. Refrigerate while preparing filling.
Filling:
Mixed fresh berries (optional)
In large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, beat cheese & 1/2 cup sugar until well blended.
In another bowl, smash drained berries with fork. Stir berries into cheese mixture.
Gently stir in 2 cups whipped topping. Spoon over crust. Cover & refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.
Use parchment handles to remove cheesecake from pan before cutting into pieces to serve. Top each piece with dollops of remaining whipped cream. Decorate the top with extra berries.
Join an All Seniors Care Living Community Today
At All Seniors Care we’re always coming up with new ways to stimulate the mind, strengthen the body, and nourish the spirit.
Focused on an active, enriched lifestyle, we offer an ever-changing calendar of events that draws from a wide range of resident interests, in an effort to appeal to all. Every day of the week, from morning to evening, you can find groups like baking, music, golf, games, tournaments, and so much more.
We know how important great food is to our residents. Taste, nutrition, and experience are the priority, so meals use high-quality ingredients that are as appealing to the eye as they are to the stomach.
Contact a residence near you today to learn more about how we can help to support you or your loved one’s overall health. We have residences in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. Explore our website for more Seniors Living tips or visit our social media pages to see some photos of the fun!
Writer – Julianna McLeod
Julianna is a health and wellness expert at All Seniors Care. Her mission is to create content that empowers seniors to form sustainable solutions for lasting health and happiness. She is an experienced writer, editor, and Recreational Therapist living in Toronto.