[For Seniors] Making Snacks in Nursing Homes: A Collection of Easy Recommended Recipes
Eating snacks makes you feel happy, doesn’t it?
So why not incorporate snack-making into recreation activities at day services and senior care facilities?
Because older adults have a wide range of physical and mental conditions, there may be times when using fire or knives isn’t possible.
In such cases, recipes that use a microwave or oven, or ones that just require mixing and setting, are recommended.
They’re easy and safe to try, so many people can enjoy them.
Have the seniors share the tasks little by little, with care staff watching over and supporting as needed.
And at the end, how about everyone chatting together and enjoying a lovely tea party?
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[For Seniors] Making Snacks at Nursing Homes: A Collection of Simple Recommended Recipes (61–70)
bread pudding
Here’s a simple microwave bread pudding.
First, make the custard mixture.
Combine eggs, sugar, and milk, and mix well to break up the egg strands.
Prepare your favorite bread and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Line a tray with the bread, then pour the custard over it.
Cover with plastic wrap and heat it in the microwave—ready in no time.
It’s a snack that checks all the boxes: no stovetop needed, easy steps, and easy to eat, making it perfect for recreational activities at senior care facilities as well.
Japanese-style parfait with matcha mizuyokan and brown sugar syrup
Let’s try making a Japanese-style parfait topped with kuromitsu (brown sugar syrup) over soft matcha mizu-yokan.
You can use store-bought matcha mizu-yokan, and kits that include the ingredients make it easy to prepare.
These days, you can enjoy parfaits casually at family restaurants and cafes, and even supermarkets sell cup parfaits.
However, there was a time when parfaits weren’t so readily available and were considered an occasional luxury.
Some older adults might still feel that way about parfaits.
During a snack-making activity where you make parfaits, why not ask people what kind of image or impressions they have of parfaits? It could spark a lively conversation.
Blue Sky Jelly
Perfect for early summer! Let me introduce a beautiful blue-sky jelly with a refreshing look.
First, dissolve gelatin in the microwave, then add soda and blue shaved-ice syrup and mix well.
Be careful not to let too much carbonation escape.
Do the same with a mixture of a lactic-acid drink and milk: add gelatin and combine thoroughly.
Once set in the refrigerator, plate the jellies.
By layering the blue jelly and the white jelly alternately, you’ll create a beautiful dessert that looks like white clouds floating in a blue sky.
It’s also delicious topped with vanilla ice cream, if you like.
White bread mille-feuille
How about making “sandwich bread mille-feuille” for a snack activity? It’s lower in calories than pastry dough and easy for seniors to eat.
Trim the crusts off 8- or 10-slice sandwich bread, roll the slices flat with a rolling pin, and sprinkle with sugar.
Lightly toast the bread, cut each slice into thirds, and top two of the pieces with whipped cream and your choice of fruit.
Finally, stack all three pieces and dust with powdered sugar—that’s it! Its attractive appearance should also make it a hit with seniors.
koinobori cake
Let me introduce a perfect snack for May: a Koinobori (carp streamer) cake.
While sponge cake is often used, this time we’ll make it with sliced bread.
Of course, sponge cake works just fine, too.
Cut the bread into the shape of a carp streamer, spread on cream, and decorate with fruit.
Adding cream cheese or yogurt to the whipped cream gives it extra richness and a refreshing tang.
The slight tartness of the cream makes for a pleasant taste, well-suited to May when it can feel a bit warm.
Older adults can also make it while seated at a table, so everyone can enjoy this snack-time activity together.
Please use this as a reference and give it a try!
fruit punch
This vividly colorful fruit punch is a playful idea that lets you feel like a kid again.
Just looking at this soothing treat is delightful, and seniors are sure to enjoy it too! Put warabi mochi and shaved ice syrup in a bowl and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
In another bowl, combine shiratama flour with water to make shiratama dumplings—the ideal texture is as soft as an earlobe.
Roll into small balls, boil them in water, then transfer to cold water.
Mix fruit, colored warabi mochi, and shiratama with fruity syrup and soda, then plate it up.
A fizzy, fun fruit punch is ready!
Snack activity: apple pie
These rose-shaped apple pies are perfect to make as a snack activity.
Prepare apples, puff pastry sheets, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice, and let’s get started.
Sprinkle thinly sliced apples with sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon, then microwave for 4 minutes.
When using a knife, make sure you have a stable work surface.
Cut the puff pastry sheet into four strips, lay the apple slices along each strip, then roll from the bottom and shape the petals into a rose.
Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, and they’re ready! It’s a perfect snack activity for Mother’s Day—enjoy!
