MEAL PREP FOR MOM
Q) Meal prep has become an issue for our mum. She’s given up cooking since dad died and is surviving on crackers and cheese. Suggestions?
Cooking and eating for one is a big ask. To help a senior who doesn’t want to cook, you can use meal delivery services like Meals on Wheels or Silver Cuisine, hire home care providers for meal prep, encourage simple, accessible meal options like frozen meals and rotisserie chicken. Try meal prepping and freezing large batches of single-pot dishes like stews and soups. Focus on nutritious, flavourful food to boost appetites.
Offer convenient meal solutions
• Meal delivery services: Services like Meals on Wheels, Silver Cuisine, and Mom’s Meals provide ready-to-eat meals tailored to seniors and can accommodate specific dietary needs.
• Hire a caregiver: Home care services can handle meal preparation, allowing seniors to receive nutritious, home-cooked meals and potentially providing companionship.
• Stock easy meals: Keep simple, healthy, no-cook items like hummus, whole-grain crackers, rotisserie chicken, yogurt, and frozen or canned fruits and vegetables on hand.
• Batch cooking and freezing: Prepare large single-pot dishes, such as stews, curries, or chili, and freeze them in portions for easy reheating.
Address underlying reasons for not wanting to cook
• Gentle communication: Approach the topic with empathy, acknowledging their feelings rather than being assertive.
• Address fears and stress: Some seniors find cooking stressful or tedious. Identifying the cause can help find the solution.
• Involve them in planning: Choices help maintain autonomy and encourage engagement.
Make meals more appealing
• Vary flavours and textures: Introduce a variety of colours, flavours, and textures to meals to make them more enjoyable and stimulate their appetite.
• Serve smaller, frequent meals: Instead of three large meals, offer smaller, more frequent portions throughout the day to help seniors get the necessary nutrition.
• Focus on hydration: Offer hydrating foods and drinks like water, broth, or pureed fruits like watermelon to ensure adequate hydration.
FEELING GUILTY BUT ‘BURNING OUT’ NOW
Q) My father has been diagnosed with dementia and I’ve been caring for him full-time for over a year. I’m exhausted physically and emotionally, but every time I consider respite care or asking my siblings for help, I feel like I’m failing him. How do I cope with the guilt while still watching out my health.
It’s common for caregivers to feel guilty about finding time for themselves. However, it’s just as important for your father’s care as it is for you that you get some help.
Almost ¾ of caregivers report experiencing the stress, tiredness and many say they’re overwhelmed. You’re not alone! Set up a pre-planned time to chat with your siblings about options (make sure there are no distractions). Can they help one day a week or on weekends to give you a break? You could also offer to chat with the family doctor and ask for provincial homecare support. Be kind, clear and direct about your need for help and where it can be the most effective.
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