Our residents regularly get to prepare, cook and bake some lovely treats for themselves and their friends to enjoy!
From baking delicious smelling cinnamon pastries, to preparing a freshly cut salad or making a hot, tasty pizza for dinner, our residents love to get involved and busy when it comes to helping with the kitchen activities.
There are so many benefits that cooking and baking can have for people living with dementia, including:
- Improved mental health – cooking can be a calming activity that reduces stress and anxiety
- Social interaction with friends – cooking is always social in Hayes park as our residents get to interact interact with our carers and other residents
- Memory – the scents and sights of cooking can trigger fond memories of family dinners and other social gatherings, which can be helpful for people with dementia
- Fine motor skills – stirring, chopping, kneading and dividing food can help dexterity in fingers and hands and improve fine motor skills
- Improved appetite – cooking can help increase appetite, which is important because a lack of appetite can lead to poor nutrition and other problems, particularly in the elderly
- Sense of purpose – when residents prepare and cook their own food it gives them a sense of responsibility and purpose
We hope you enjoy the pictures! We are so proud of all residents for participating in our cooking activities and making these delicious treats!
If you have any ideas of other activities that our residents can get involved in, do not hesitate to get in touch!
