When a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s first is made, its easy for a person to start counting all the things they will no longer be able to do. It’s a natural human tendency.

Its also common practice for caregivers to begin taking over even the simplest of tasks, because its easier to do things quickly yourself rather than wait patiently for the most common things we do every day.

But instead of focusing in on the things you can’t do, sometimes its even more important focusing in on the things you can do.

While Alzheimer’s may begin taking away the ability to remember the little things – names of common objects, or things that happened yesterday for instance – it can also make you appreciate the things in life that have given you joy throughout the years.

One example is cooking.

Cooking is a process we use every single day of our lives. We may remember baking cookies with our grandmothers. Or creating our very first dinner for the family.

Cooking can be a source of joy if you re-introduce it into your loved one’s life. While they might not be able to do things the way they used to, the wonderful thing about cooking is there is no one method that’s better than another.

Tip #1 Buy easy to use kitchen tools

Every single home has the kitchen gadget drawer filled with utensils collected over decades of use. Yet many of those tools are difficult to use and can even cause injury if used inappropriately. Clean out that drawer and visit your local kitchen store for a new set of tools. You’ll find easy to grip spoons and spatulas, and items that make every day chores a snap. Talk with the sales team at the store – there are many updated gadgets that can make even the most difficult of processes doable by anyone at any skill level.

Tip #2 Rethink your menu

Cooking is often a source of joy. But if you can’t chop, grate and grill the way you used to, those old recipes can be more of a source of frustration than joy. Whatever your desired meal, there are many ways to create them using new methods. If a common problem is leaving a pot boiling on the stove and forgetting its on, turn to other cooking methods, such as a crock pot. [Read more…]