Date of Award
12-1-2016
Document Status
Open Access
Degree Type
Project
Degree Name
Occupational Therapy (M.S.)
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Jeanine Beasley
Second Advisor
Cynthia Grapczynski
Third Advisor
Staci Gerken
Abstract
Older adult men who have taken on an unfamiliar role as a caregiver find themselves at a loss with how to conduct meal preparation and cooking (Russell, 2007). The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a specialized cooking class on the perceptions of older adult male caregivers. Method: This mixed method, retrospective study analyzed surveys from subjects who attended a cooking class designed specifically for male caregivers. Participants were 60 years of age or older and were required to be living in one of nine participating local counties. Results: The participants reported that the course expanded their cooking skills, helped them feel more comfortable in the kitchen, and provided an enjoyable social outlet. Conclusion: Participation in a cooking class for older adult male caregivers may be an important step to meet the caregiving demands of this growing population. Additional research with a longer follow-up, is needed to determine if the results of this study are generalizable.
ScholarWorks Citation
Jenkins, Miranda and Kukich, George, "Conquering the Kitchen: Cooking and Older Adult Male Caregivers" (2016). Older Adult. 6.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/ot_older_adult/6
