A Therapeutic Cooking Program for Older Adults with Dementia: Effects on Agitation and Apathy

Fitzsimmons, S. & Buettner, L. (2003). Therapeutic cooking for older adults with dementia: effects on
agitation and apathy. American Journal of Recreational Therapy, Fall, 23-33.

Article Summary:

Under a larger, 3-year study of recreational therapy interventions for disturbing behaviors,
cooking was examined as a potentially effective intervention for treating disturbing behaviors, especially
behaviors related to dementia. The specific study regarding cooking interventions adheres to the
Continuity Theory of Aging, which states that personality characteristics are maintained throughout
one’s life with few changes. Part of the maintained personality characteristics are one’s interests and
hobbies, which, for the older adult population, often include interests and hobbies related to social roles
such as cooking. Creating opportunities for older adults to engage in such activities has the potential to
increase sense of purpose, social engagement, and quality of life.

The cooking intervention study included an experiment group that participated in adaptive
therapeutic recreation cooking five days a week for one hour per day over the course of two weeks. The
first day of the week involved meal planning, the second day involved an outing to the local grocery store
for ingredients and supplies, and the last three days involved the actual cooking. Pre- and post-tests
results demonstrated that participants experienced a decrease in agitation and passivity, with an
increase in alertness and calm. Cooking was proven to be a valuable intervention for older adults as it
allowed participants to exercise autonomy, eat fresh foods, engage in multiple forms of stimulation, and
take part in meaningful social interaction. The benefits of the program expanded beyond just the
participants, since many other residents on the unit, as well as family and staff members frequently sat
nearby to watch the program and enjoy the sensory stimulation. It was noted that it is important to
appropriately plan the time of day in which to implement such a program, as disturbing behaviors
happen at various times of day.

Expected Outcomes:

- Reduced agitation, anxiety, and anxious behaviors

- Increased sense of purpose
- Improved appetite
- Increased social engagement and connection
- Decrease in apathy; increase in meaningful engagement
- Sensory, physical, and cognitive stimulation
Cooking Groups for Older Adults: Implications for Functional Abilities

Ruenakam, M., Khemthong, S., Chatthong, W., Rodkaeo, T. & Chanworavit, S. (2022). Cooking groups for
older adults: Implications for functional abilities. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 1-15.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.utah.edu/10.1080/01924788.2022.2148425

Article Summary:

Where most research regarding the effects of cooking on older adults focuses on the emotional
and mental benefits, this study aims to uncover benefits regarding psychomotor abilities and
interpersonal communication. Psychomotor abilities are regarded as the cognitive functions required to
perform the coordinated physical skills required in everyday activities. Interpersonal communication is
defined as the process of complex social exchanges through meaningful effort for a social goal. Because
older adults often face deficits in both of these areas, as well as emotional deficits such as depression
and loneliness, many fields have dedicated research to uncovering effective interventions to treat these
deficits. Occupational therapists have often used cooking tasks to assess the functional abilities of older
adults. Cooking is a valuable tool because it is a familiar activity that demonstrates typical activity of
daily living.

Though this study was somewhat impacted by the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was
still able to be conducted over the course of 5 months in an outpatient clinic. It included 10 session, each
lasting 90 minutes. The participants engaged in cooking tasks such as washing vegetables, peeling fruits,
cutting, and molding. At the end of the program, participants demonstrated improved cognitive
performance, improved depression scores, and significantly improved psychomotor functioning.
Outcomes were broken down further into improved working memory, executive function, and increased
sensorimotor processing speed.

Expected Outcomes:

- Increased motivation
- Self-efficacy
- Increased positive emotions
- Improved self-concept
- Improved cognitive, emotional, psychomotor, and interpersonal performance
- Decreased symptoms of depression
- Increased socio-emotional expression
- Improved social connectedness
- Improved working memory and executive function
Psychosocial Benefits of Cooking Interventions: A Systematic Review

Farmer, N., Touchton-Leonard, K. & Ross, A. (2018). Psychosocial benefits of cooking interventions: A
systematic review. Health Education & Behavior, 45(2), 167-180.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198117736352

Article Summary:

Studies in anthropology suggest that cooking, as it developed throughout history, impacted not
just biology, but also human social relationships and contributed to sense of community. While some
research focuses on the physical health benefits of cooking interventions such as muscle mass and
nutrition, this one examines how cooking interventions impact the social, mental, and psychological
health of many individuals across several different populations. The evidence suggests that the benefits
extend beyond the physical and nutritional and that cooking can be a valuable intervention for improving
emotional wellbeing and quality of life.

Some of the research studies included patients in a mental health inpatient facility, who
reported improved self-esteem and confidence as a direct result of their participation in a cooking
program. In another study, mental health inpatient participants reported a greater sense of belonging
among their peers. A study involving Australian adults from low socioeconomic status experiencing
obesity also demonstrated increases in self-esteem as a result of the feelings of accomplishment and
confidence associated with the cooking intervention. Patients in a hospital burn unit reported improved
socialization and connection, as well as decreased levels of anxiety. In a study regarding elderly females
with dementia, results included reduced agitation and passivity. In a group of cancer patients, individuals
exhibited an increase in positive affect and decrease in negative affect, in addition to a significant
increase in health-related quality of life. Across all the varying populations, cooking interventions
continuously proved to be worthwhile treatment options for improving overall wellbeing.

Expected Outcomes:

- Increased socialization - Improved eating behaviors

- Improved self-esteem/self-concept - Fostered socialization
- Improved quality of life - Reduced social isolation
- Positive affect - Better family and group connection
- Increased self-efficacy
- Greater mental and emotional
wellbeing
- Increase in health-related quality of life