Assisted Living Communities Celebrate National Bake Cookies Day

December 18 is “National Bake Cookies Day”. With the holidays right around the corner, this could be the perfect opportunity to gather up all the cookie ingredients you can find, put on an apron and make as many delicious cookies as possible. Not only will the end product be delicious, but often the entire process of making these cookies can be a rewarding event that brings family and friends together.

For decades, cookie recipes have been passed down from generation to generation within families and it often becomes a tradition to use certain recipes for holidays and special occasions. In assisted and independent living communities, encouragement of sharing recipes and cooking together are common activities. The idea of being together in the kitchen sharing recipes that are close to the heart lets residents share special memories with their peers.

There are several benefits that can come from acknowledging and taking part in a small holiday such as “National Bake Cookies Day” in assisted and independent living communities. Having staff work with residents to use their favorite recipes and sharing them throughout community events gives a resident a feeling of acknowledgement when their recipe is used for others to enjoy. The process of cooking or baking with their community’s peers is also a way to socialize and make new or continue to grow existing social relationships. Residents also have an opportunity to learn from one another in the kitchen.

Although baking cookies may seem like a small idea that won’t mean much, that is not the case. This day can bring people together to share recipes, memories, learn new things and socialize within assisted and independent living communities. It is important to host activities like this within these communities to make the residents feel at home.