3 Recipes For Your Senior Loved One To Enjoy This Fall: Senior Care Okotoks Edition

It’s that time of the year when the leaves turn, and the cold weather befalls us—perfect for staying in and cooking! For families providing senior care in Okotoks, food becomes a wonderful tool for bringing people together. Cooking side by side or sharing meals with the senior loved one in your life creates lasting memories. 

Whether you're providing home care services in High River or supporting loved ones in Okotoks, these fall recipes for seniors are ideal for gatherings in the fall season. Finding healthy fall meals for elderly loved ones can make meal preparation even more rewarding.

A Taste of Nostalgia

Did you know food can cause nostalgia? Much like smelling a perfume from a first date, eating certain dishes triggers memories and emotions. For seniors receiving home care services in Foothills, these meals might bring back cherished memories from earlier years. 

Choosing comfort food for seniors in fall can create a heartwarming moment filled with reminiscence and joy.

In the early 1900s, marshmallows were a trendy kitchen addition, making their way into both sweet and savoury dishes. Why not share this fall favourite with your senior loved one during your next visit or while offering home care for seniors in High River?

This is one of those easy fall recipes for older adults that is both simple to prepare and a delight to eat. These kinds of meals can be both nostalgic and practical, especially when preparing nutritious fall dishes for seniors who need a balanced diet.

Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potatoes

• 3 cans (15-oz each) sweet potatoes, drained

• ¼ cup butter, melted

• ¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 15 large marshmallows

Preparation

1. Heat oven to 350°F. 

2. Spray a 12x8-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

3. Place sweet potatoes in the baking dish. 

4. Pour butter over potatoes. Sprinkle it with brown sugar and salt. Top with marshmallows. 

5. Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until potatoes are thoroughly heated and marshmallows are lightly browned.

Recipe courtesy of pillsbury

Nutrition First And Foremost in Home Care For Seniors High River

For those offering palliative care in Okotoks, nutrition remains a top priority. During times when cooking together isn't possible, dropping nutritious fall dishes for seniors at the doorstep is a thoughtful gesture. Keep in mind that seniors' dietary needs differ, and avoiding certain foods is essential for their well-being. According to Sunhealth Communities, seniors should avoid:

• Raw or undercooked eggs

• Grapefruit

• High-sodium foods

• Foods with “empty calories”

Keeping nutrition in mind, why not make a batch of this popular 50’s soup for the senior loved one in your life to enjoy? Soups are one of those healthy fall meals for elderly that can be frozen and reheated easily!

Easy Hamburger Soup

• 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

• 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) beef broth

• 1 cup water

• 4 celery ribs, thinly sliced

• 4 large carrots, halved and thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup quick-cooking barley

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

Preparation

1. In a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. 

2. Stir in the tomatoes, broth and water. Bring to a boil. 

3. Add celery, carrots, barley, thyme and pepper. 

4. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, for 10-12 minutes or until vegetables and barley are tender. 

5. Remove from heat; stir in parsley. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home

Food Equals Love at Foothills Home Services

An important thing to remember when it comes to the senior loved ones in our lives, a family member's or caregivers responsibility is to show respect and of course, compassion! Creating a meal with someone can form lifelong memories. And cooking for someone when you cannot cook together is a generous way to show that they are worth your time and effort even when we are apart. 

Foods seniors receiving home care service Foothills loved as a child can be a great treat not only for the mouth but for the memory. Choosing fall recipes for seniors that remind them of their younger years adds an extra layer of warmth to each meal. This final recipe is a fun 60’s retro dessert that was derived from a treat that has remained a staple sweet since the late 1800s—Jell-o! This easy fall recipe for older adults is simple to make and sure to bring joy. Sharing comfort food for seniors in fall can brighten the season and bring families together.

Cranberry Walnut Jello Salad

• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

• 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 2 (3-oz.) packages lemon gelatin

• 1 3/4 cups boiling water

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 (8 1/2-oz.) can pineapple tidbits

• 1 (10-oz.) bottle lemon-lime carbonated beverage, chilled (such as Sprite)

• 1 cup finely chopped celery

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. 

2. Place the walnuts on a baking sheet. 

3. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 10 minutes. Set aside. 

4. Toss chopped cranberries with sugar. Let stand.

5. Dissolve the gelatin in boiling water, then stir in the lemon juice and salt. 

6. Drain the pineapple and reserve syrup. Pour reserved syrup into gelatin mixture and cool.

7. Stir in the carbonated beverage and chill until thickened. 

8. Stir the cranberry mixture, pineapple, celery, and walnuts into gelatin mixture. 

9. Spoon into a lightly greased (with cooking spray) 6-cup mold and chill until set, 4 hours. Unmold onto salad greens. 

Recipe courtesy of Southern Living

Creating healthy fall meals for your Senior Loved Ones In The Foothills

Whether you are able to cook together with your senior loved one or are showing you care by creating healthy fall meals for the elderly, food remains a wonderful way to express love.  Contact Sylvia for meal prep tips and for more information on how Foothills Homecare Services can help your senior loved one in the kitchen.

At Foothills Home Services, we've been providing exceptional home care services in the Foothills region since 2001. Our dedicated team specializes in home care for seniors in High River, senior care in Okotoks, and compassionate Palliative Care in Okotoks. 

With over two decades of experience, we understand the unique needs of each client and tailor our services accordingly. Whether you're looking for assistance with daily tasks, companionship, or round-the-clock care, our skilled caregivers are here to help. 

We take pride in enabling seniors to maintain their independence and quality of life in the comfort of their own homes. Don't wait to get the support you or your loved one deserves.

To schedule your free consultation and discover how our Home Care Services in High River can make a difference in your life.