The coastal and colonial area of Santa Barbara, CA, is a beautiful spot to spend time with your father on Father's Day. As food has many notable impacts related to helping with a senior's mental wellness, a simple meal might be the best way to do that. Even watching a cooking program, due to its process-based actions and nostalgic sensory triggers, can help with cognitive disabilities like Alzheimer's.
Ensuring that one's parents have every opportunity to maintain their cognitive health is essential, so as holidays come up, it is a great opportunity to involve them in your mealtime.
Kick off something special with these Father's Day dinner ideas that are perfect for senior appetites. Whether it means a 1950s diner or eating within our own Oak Cottage dining area, read on to discover how some local favorites can bring a smile to your father's face without being overwhelming.
This simple eatery offers a cozy chance to sit in one of our decadent leather booths and take in the blend of American comfort food and new, unique foods. Whether your father's palate moves towards something adventurous or not, he's sure to find something he enjoys.
For those who cannot eat a whole meal, enjoy one of the restaurant's sandwiches or ask for a smaller order. They can make something to suit your needs without difficulty.
The padded booths and sturdy chairs also make the location easily accessible. If you need wheelchair or walker access, there is plenty of space to move around, and the warm, personal service caters perfectly to visitors' needs.
All around are touchstones of American 20s-60s nostalgia. Even if your father did not grow up with memories of these eras, they would have been a part of his growing up, and he may be able to draw on some memories that he could share with you. At the same time, the pastel-toned signs and chrome tone of much of the furniture recreate a 1950s mood, helping him to relax in a place that likely feels very calming.
Bring a few photos of your father's youth with you if you can find them. Who knows, you may be able to find something that matches the same ambience in our dining room.
If you want to stay in Oak Cottage itself, we are more than happy to offer the same compassionate kindness to you that we do to your father. So, look at our Elevate dining program, which gives residents a delicious set of senior-friendly meals that match precisely what they need in their lives. Our chef-organized dishes are often customized, with a full range of options for residents who want any sort of comforting foods.
On holidays like Father's Day, we also offer timely meals to help with celebrating dads in care. If you wish to dine with us, let us know beforehand, and we can look into putting together festive food for Father's Day to help you and your dad share a meal.
Here at Oak Cottage, we also understand that providing crucial memory care moments is crucial at all times, not only during therapy sessions. As such, we try to make every meal as comfortable as possible. We provide a soothing atmosphere in which people can relax to avoid triggering mental wellness difficulties.
It's also essential that we provide a menu that suits the needs of the individual. If your father is having trouble with full meals and is staying with us for memory care assistance, we will make sure that he gets food that he is most comfortable with. Whether that is simple finger food or his favorite carbohydrates to ensure he eats the meal, we will ensure that those with us have something healthy.
If you decide to join us, you can either work alongside us to ensure your father gets the meal he needs or ask one of our staff to help. We would be more than happy to assist.
If you wish to bring along your family for a shared experience with your father, talk to our team. We can reserve a table in a dining area so that you and more of your family can enjoy time sharing a meal, perhaps as you once did at home.
Decorate the table to create more memorable surroundings for your father. While they may not be his old home, and the goal is not to make him think he is there, providing a few keepsakes may trigger his memory and get a few smiles out of him and the rest of the family.
Discuss what else you can do with our staff. After all, you want this to be a personal moment where you can all engage with your father. Then, if he begins a story, you can all enjoy the experience.
If you wish to bring some home cooking with you, we can provide tableware to ensure that you don't need to worry about preparation or washing. Maybe pick out a family favorite and something your father loves. Trigger his tastebuds and ensure he is as happy as possible on the day intended for him.
If we can be sure it won't disturb other residents, consider singing with your father. Whether that is your father's favorite hits from his youth, or something that all of you can sing along to, it should trigger as many memories as possible. After all, music has a special place in our ability to recall our lives, and it may allow you to see him light up a little more than usual.
Experience a day that Oak Cottage can help make unique, as our staff caters to your father's needs and offers him the support he needs. Combine privacy and community warmth to enjoy every moment with your father at our community.
Whether you surprise your father with great Father's Day dinner ideas or bring your family with you, it'll be an experience.
If you're not yet using our services and want to know more about what we could offer, get in contact to book a tour. Learn what our Father's Days look like, and ensure your dad enjoys the next one.