Marcia used to love to bake. She was known for the elaborate birthday cakes she created for her children when they were young. She had even been asked to make a few wedding cakes in her younger years. She also loved to bake fancy decorated cookies every year for her family and her church’s annual cookie walk fundraiser. Unfortunately, as Marcia grew older, she developed painful arthritis in her hands that made it difficult for her to mix thick batters. As a result, she had all but given up baking, declining requests to make special cakes and no longer participating in the cookie walk. Having to give up one of her favorite hobbies made Marcia sad. Then, Marcia’s children hired home care to help her with tasks around her house. She was delighted to have someone help her with cleaning and running errands, but she was even more excited to learn that a home care provider could help her with activities she enjoyed, including baking.
September is National Bake & Decorate month. If your older family member loves to bake like Marcia, there are many ways home care can help them to celebrate the day and continue enjoying baking all year long. Here are a few ways that home care can help.
Transportation to the Grocery Store
One of the things that can keep older adults from baking is not being able to get to the grocery store to purchase ingredients. A home care provider can drive them to the store to get everything on their list. In fact, the home care provider can even help create the list if the senior has trouble writing.
Reading Recipes
Seniors with vision problems may not be able to read recipes. A home care provider can read off the ingredients and steps while your loved one measures and mixes the ingredients.
Helping with Steps
Older adults with cognitive difficulties, such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, may still enjoy baking, but have trouble following the complex instructions. A home care provider can break the steps down even further, giving the senior specific things to do like, “Fill this measuring cup with flour.”
Lifting Heavy Pans
Pans and bowls can be heavy and difficult for frail seniors to lift, especially if they are filled with dough. A home care provider can lift the pans in and out of the oven, preventing the older adult from burning themselves or falling. They can also lift heavy batter bowls and carry them from one workspace to another.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING HOME CARE SERVICES IN RALEIGH, NC, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS TODAY. CALL (919) 761-5346.