Ravenna – Remember your favorite dinner at Grandma’s house? The meatloaf that made your mouth water just thinking about it or the chicken and dumplings that seemed to melt in your mouth? While those days maybe gone, eating dinner with your senior loved one doesn’t have to be gone. Make the most of Family Dinners. Engage your senior loved one and family members to eat dinner together once a month.
Follow these easy steps to pull of the “Sunday” Dinner Pledge.
1) Make time for each other. We know schedules nowadays are very hectic but take some time for yourself and your family to share a nutritious meal together. You never know what exciting things you will learn from your senior loved one’s past, present and future! Our seniors “Crave” Companionship. Through recent research, Home Instead Senior Care® network revealed that lack of companionship is the biggest mealtime challenge for seniors. In fact, approximately 40% of the population age 75 and older live alone.
2) Create an easy Menu Plan. To make dinner fun, think about easy-to-prepare recipes or perhaps prepare family favorites! This will not only make dinner interesting but create a unique conversation. Maybe your senior loved one can share what they liked as a child to eat. Making foods that are not only nutritious to eat but easy to make will be a sure way to start your dining experience off just right!
3) Use activities to foster positive family interactions. Think of conversation starters at the dinner table. Maybe store the suggestions in a jar and have someone pick from the jar then start the conversation. It will be exciting to see where the conversation goes next. Running out of ideas? Let us help!
a. What’s your favorite family night TV program or game?
b. What family meal makes your mouth water?
c. What is your favorite dessert?
d. Tell us a memory from your favorite vacation or weekend getaway?
e. Where is our family origin from?
f. What is your favorite hobby?
g. How did you meet grandpa or grandma?
Learning the answers to these questions will be a lasting memory that will be cherished for a lifetime.
4) Involve your senior loved ones in meal planning. This may be just as enjoyable as the meal itself. This will give them the opportunity to pull out the family recipe book and pick meals that have meaning. What a great activity to involve the little ones in the family as well. Multigenerational family time is some of the best time spent. Allowing your senior loved one the choice of what to cook and possibly helping put the meal together will empower them as they contribute and give them a real sense of satisfaction.
By committing to sharing a monthly meal together with your senior loved ones, you will create cherished memories. No one wants to eat alone. Join us as we promote healthy aging by helping seniors eat nutritiously and stay connected socially. Seniors “Crave” your companionship and family quenches that craving!
Home Instead Senior Care® franchise office is located at: 705 Oakwood Street, Suite 107 in Ravenna, join our family of CAREGiversSM as we provide in home care to seniors giving them the gift of companionship and aging with dignity.
