Alzheimer's cooking activity with cocoa

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Making a sweet treat with cocoa We are going to talk about making cocoa. However, this is not ordinary cocoa.This is healthy cocoa
Here are the ingredients
2 heaping teaspoons per 5 ounce cup(standard Styrofoam coffee cup)
a little more or less depending on how much the participant likes chocolate.
1 packet of sugar or sugar substitute
5 ounces or less ,hot water*actually, you can use cool water if you prefer
Optional milk substituted for all or some of the hot water.Were you wondering about this 

By adding just a few teaspoons of water or milk, you can make a chocolate sauce.
You can spread the chocolate sauce on a graham cracker for a yummy treat

Directions
Give each participant a Styrofoam or other coffee cup with 2 heaping teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa in it.
Leave the spoon in the cup if this is appropriate
Give each participant a packet of sweetener depending on his/her dietary restrictions.
Have the group members open the sweetener packet and pour the contents into the cup. As always, give help as needed

Here is the next step to making a healthy brain boosting treat for those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias .

Have each person mix the cocoa and the sweetener with the spoon. Assist those needing help

If you are concerned that someone might get hurt pouring hot water near the group members collect the labeled cups, pour the water into the cups. Allow them to cool and distribute them.

There are many variations
Add a few teaspoons of room temperature water or milk to each cup with mixed cocoa and sweetener.

Have the group member mix the ingredients together.

Of course, this is a good activity for all long term care residents because it is simple, healthy, and easily adaptable to a wide variety of people.

You must mix this well for the cocoa to dissolve. Scoop the mixed chocolate sauce onto a graham cracker, piece of plain cake, plain yogurt  or ice cream.

If someone needs to have thickened liquids,make the cocoa with 5 ounces of water and add thickener to the mixture to get the right consistency.

What I like about this activity is that you can make a cocoa treat for just about anyone unless he/she does not like chocolate. This is also a great activity because unsweetened cocoa is extremely high in antioxidants. As you know, foods and beverages rich in antioxidants combat oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a key componant to Alzheimer's disease because it can increase the amount of plaque in an Alzheimer's brain. There is much more information to follow

Please join us in a discussion.

By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby-Meaningful Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones and Involved Professionals, a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals.