Activity Ideas: As a family caregiver, do you find meal planning and preparation to be frustrating?
For example, when you’re in the kitchen, does your mom insist on trying to take over? It’s not unusual to run into this situation. She’s used to cooking meals for the family, and it’s hard to sit back when someone else is doing everything.
Instead of fighting her to sit down and let you do things, learn how to involve her in meal planning steps. If she feels that she’s contributed to the meal, she’ll be happy, and it reduces your frustration. You can do this and think of some more activity ideas for all to enjoy.
Start With a Weekly Menu
At the start of the week, preferably on the day you shop for groceries, plan a weekly menu. Sit down with your mom and ask her what she is in the mood for.
You may have to fill in gaps to make sure she’s getting her nutritional requirements each day. Do this when planning snacks for her to eat between each meal.
Once that menu is planned, go through her current kitchen inventory. Keep a list of anything you need to purchase. That way, you’re not buying too much.
Go Grocery Shopping
Before heading to the store, search sites like Ibotta and the grocery store’s website for coupons and rebates. You can save a lot of money taking the extra time to look for sales and money-back offers on things she needs to purchase.
At the grocery store, look for comparable brands to make sure something isn’t cheaper. If your mom needs yogurt and a name brand has coupons on the container, you may save money over the store brand she usually buys.
Check things off the list as you purchase them. If you do this, you won’t forget something and need to make another trip to the store. Make sure your mom has things to do while you shop. You could give her items to find while you’re on the other side of the aisle picking out something she needs.
Activity Ideas: Start Meal Prep in Advance
You’re back home with the groceries. Now is an excellent time to start some of your weekly meal prep. You have several dishes that call for chopped onions. Chop them up at the same time and store them in containers until they’re needed.
You can have your mom help with this. For example, she could wash and peel vegetables and then hand them to you to chop up. Or, have your mom find spices and herbs for you while you’re mixing spice blends and marinades for the week.
What if you don’t live close by? Is your mom eating the right foods and making her meals? It may be a good time to address having senior care aides stop by and they can even help with more activity ideas. Have them cook her meals, help her plan a weekly menu, and shop for items. Call a senior care agency to learn more.