Mom is in a nursing home, although not perfect we are making it work. Mom’s favorite things were cooking and sewing - neither very conducive to nursing home living. I have provided her with some embroidery projects which she enjoys. How do I help her with her desires to cook? I try and bring her things we cook, but it isn’t the same. She doesn’t have much stamina, which is why she is in the nursing home (she was unable to cook her meals at home). I really think if the nursing home could give her a “job” it would help her - like folding towels or peeling potatoes, but I am not sure that would be allowed due to state regulations, etc. I think if she had some sort of “job” it would help her feel needed and maybe make her acceptance of the nursing home better. (Also, the nursing home doesn’t seem receptive to anything different/new/changes.) Any ideas?
Cooking show CDs are wonderful.
If mom is capable of or still uses the computer she can go to any site such as Facebook and watch Jacque Pepin, who I never miss, cooking at 90 years of age. There are a lot of cooking shows on television and even the wonderful picture books of Foods of Italy and so on.
My brother loved vintage cars. In his later year in care in ALF he would look at the big gloggy books I got him BY THE HOUR and even with his magnifying glass.
Great she maintains her interests.
And you say that your mom "doesn't have much stamina" anymore so why not just let her take it easy. She's earned it at this point.
Has she complained that she doesn't get to cook anymore? I'm guessing not.
I get the feeling that this is more about you than it is your mom, and you wanting things to be like they used to be.
However things now can't be like they used to be, and the sooner you're good with that the sooner your mom will be good with it too.
Do a browser search for "easy, no-cook meals+snacks+desserts" and lots of websites and recipes will come up.
Can she follow written instructions without getting lost or confused?
Does she have a microwave in her apartment? If a recipe requires something like rice or pasta, there are many varieties of pre-cooked ones nowadays. Or, she can use the microwave which is probably in the dining/commons area.