Posted
7 October 2020
The Great Care Home Bake Off
Inspired by The Great British Bake Off, this week residents of Rogers House Residential Care Home donned their aprons to make their own showstoppers.
There wasn’t a soggy bottom in sight when residents of the Drewery Drive care home got together to bake some fresh homemade chocolate and vanilla cupcakes.
Avoiding the grey and gloomy day outside, some therapeutic baking over a cup of tea was just what the doctor ordered. Promoting some reminiscence from the group, the keen bakers nattered to one another about their younger days spent baking for their families, whilst they mixed, baked and decorated their delicious cupcakes. Once they had cooked and cooled, the bakers were able to relax and sample their creations with a cup of tea.
Jackie Miles, General Manager of Rogers House said: “Our residents love to bake, whether it is biscuits, cakes, bread or a tart, they enjoy trying new things and new flavours. Many of them are very good in the kitchen as they have spent years cooking for their families, so it’s always a great opportunity for them to socialise and share stories too.”
Known for its therapeutic effects, baking is an excellent activity for older people, particularly those living with dementia. Studies have shown that baking can be an effective form of therapy that can help to aid relaxation and reduce stress. Baking has also been proven to help prevent and manage depression, and help to calm people suffering from dementia.
Many dementia sufferers lose their appetites, meaning that mealtimes can be a struggle. However, studies have shown that baking therapy can be an effective way to help encourage dementia sufferers to eat. Because baking stimulates the sense it can be an effective tool for encouraging dementia sufferers to begin to enjoy food again. The sound of the blender, the feel of the flour, the smell of baking cakes – these experiences help to stimulate the senses.
