Braemar Staff Chop and Dice with Seniors

Variety is the spice of life, so they say, and culinary delights are certainly something that seniors at Braemar Presbyterian Care are experiencing thanks to the launch of a regular cooking club at Braemar House.

A popular part of the activities calendar at the not-for-profit aged care home, and one which is particularly targeted at residents with dementia, the club sees seniors prepare and bake everything and anything from Anzac biscuits, bread cookies pizza and even rum balls

Bernadette Samura, Facility Manager at Braemar House, says the residents have relished spending time with the therapy team, participating in cooking activities and rolling their sleeves up to make and bake an assortment of treats that both stimulate the senses as well as conversation.

“In many ways, the kitchen is the heart of the home and it’s often the place for families to gather, plus we think it’s very important for our residents to take part in activities that they love and have done throughout their lives, it’s certainly a great way for them to reminisce,” she says.

“It’s also wonderful to see their senses of smell and taste simulated, and of course our cooking club is a great social activity to enjoy with other residents. Plus the icing on the cake is that they are able to enjoy eating the end result.

“Our staff have also really embraced the initiative and we’ve found it to be a really wonderful way of building our friendly little community here at Braemar.”

Find out more about Braemar Presbyterian Care.