A proposed cooking program featuring professional chefs should add spice to life at Long Term Care.
Cooking up Connections is seen as a way of stirring up excitement, especially for those with dementia, depression, impaired speech or language skills, social isolation or limited mobility.
“This program will not only enable residents to begin to cook again but also offer an opportunity for nostalgia and reminiscing,” said Erika Vallee, a Saskatchewan Health Authority recreation therapist, in an email to Michelle McKenzie, the mayor of Maple Creek.
“Cooking up connections will offer residents cognitive stimulation, social interactions, sense of accomplishment, and will promote independence.
“When moving into long term care, cooking is often one of the first areas where residents lose independence. This shift can feel disempowering. Seniors who once enjoyed grocery shopping, meal planning, or preparing family recipes may feel a sense of loss, boredom or even frustration when these opportunities are taken away.”
The proposed program will take place at the Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility in Maple Creek and Shaunavon Hospital and Care Centre, offering Long-Term Care residents an opportunity they have never had before.
“Cooking is often a way to nurture relationships – sharing meals with family and friends, preparing holiday dishes, or passing down recipes,” said Vallee. “In Long Term Care that social role diminishes leaving residents feeling disconnected from traditions and family life. Cooking up Connections will have a big impact on the resident’s quality of life by restoring a sense of purpose, identity and enjoyment.”
Vallee is now applying for the New Horizons for Seniors Program grant, which will go towards professional chefs coming into the homes to share new recipes with the residents and create connections through cooking.
At its September 10 meeting, Maple Creek Town Council authorised administration to write a letter of support for the grant application.
Councillor Tina Cresswell remembered how an art program had provided great benefits to long-term care residents.
“I think this is fantastic,” said Councillor Betty Abbott of the cooking program.
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