Getting Adventurous in Your Caregiver Journey on International Sushi Day

Caregiver in Evanston IL

As a family caregiver for your aging parent you likely find yourself relying largely on routines. Your senior may stick to essentially the same schedule from day to day, runs the same errands on the same days of the week, and may even eat the same foods on rotation. You do this because you want to make sure that they get the level of care, assistance, and support that they need on a daily basis, and that they can live the quality of life that you know that they deserve. While there are many benefits to establishing routines, including predictability and a sense of security and calm, when these routines control every aspect of your life they can become tedious. A boring lifestyle is not only unpleasant for you as a caregiver, but it can also be boring and frustrating for your elderly parent. They might lose motivation and stop trying to be active, diminishing their health and their quality of life. Finding ways that you can occasionally shake things up and try new things is a great way to not only make your care efforts more exciting and beneficial, but also to being more meaning into your care experience. This will keep your relationship with your parent stronger and make memories that you can cherish well into the future.

June 17 is International Sushi Day. While this may sound daunting to many people, it is a fantastic opportunity for you to get adventurous with your parent and try new things together. This will stimulate their mind and spark memories, strengthening their cognitive processing, critical thinking, and memory skills.

 

Let these ideas inspire you for ways that you can get adventurous in your caregiver journey on International Sushi Day:

  • Visit a sushi restaurant. Sushi is much more common now than it has been in past years and most places have at least one good sushi restaurant. Bring your parent to one of these spots for lunch or dinner and give them the opportunity to try this food. They do not have to eat raw fish or anything extremely unusual. In fact, visiting the restaurant can show them that adventurous food is sometimes far more familiar than they would have guessed. Consider reading the menu together online before going so that you can pick options out ahead of time
  • Try your hand at making sushi. Real sushi masters train for years in order to make this tasty treat, but you can still try your hand at putting together your own rolls. The supplies that you need are available in most major grocery stores so it is easy to get started. Research some recipes together or use your favorite flavor profiles to come up with your own unique versions
  • Plan your next adventure. Now that you have gotten started on your adventurous eating, do not stop with just sushi. Talk with your parent and plan for your next adventure together. Ask them if there is a certain type of food that they have always wanted to try or suggest one that you would like to experience. Make this an activity that you do together regularly so that it can give your entire care experience a boost.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in Evanston, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

 

Jamie Shapiro