I micro wave one ear of corn wither in a micro safe container or wrapped in a wet paper towel...I don't leave it in the husk. I like it done for 2 minutes per ear.
She can microwave any sweetpotato...wash it and be sure to poke it with a fork several times. The time depends on the size of the potato....for an average sized sweet potato, 4 minutes is good....just until soft when pinched.
Also a regular potato works well, a fish fillet also works well...I use a marinade or a bit of terayaki sauce....or "fry" it in some butter, but that spatters. Cook on high just until the fish flakes....about 5 to 12 minutes depending on size of the fish.
Bacon cooks well...lay it on a plate on many layers of paper towel.
Also acorn squash, cut in half and turn cut side down on a glass pie plate and cook about 6 or 7 munutes until soft, then turn over and melt some butter inside the squash.
She can make muffins in a micro safe pan, rice and broccoli and about any veggie I can think of.
When My kitchen was being re-done, I even cooked chicken....didn't brown but you can rub it with tarayaki or soy sauce. They sell precooked sausage that is very good and an omelette also works very well in the micro....and in a pinch I have even made "hard boiled egg" to add to a salad when I had forgotten to boil some eggs. Oatmeal works, the instant kind as well as the old fashioned kind...just cook it longer and stop and stir once or twice.I just mixed up the egg and cooked it in an oiled dish until it was firm...cooled it and cut it up.
There are really lots of things she could cook.
Linda C

Thanks for all the wonderful tips/ideas.

Trying at least some of them may help her in her adjustment to the new environment and way of doing things. I'd sure not like knowing I couldn't fix at least some 'ole favorites'.

I'll pick up some corn and squeeze Parkay and we'll try it together. I really don't know how much she will be able to remember to do by herself, but with a little guidance I'm sure 'she' can fix us something occasionally. I think it would help her adjustment there...doing some things for herself as she always has up to this point. Luckily she likes about all fruits and veggies, a lot of them just fresh.

Sue

Please tell her if she is going to do hard boiled eggs for egg salad to be SURE she pokes lots of holes in the eggs. I used to do it for a couple of eggs for an eggsalad sandwich, worked great. Tried to do several once and apparently didn't poke enough holes. Very messy!

How do you poke holes in an eggshell. What utensil do you find works best?

I don't hard cook an egg in the micro in the shell....I just mix up the egg with a fork and cook it like I would an omelette, but longer.
You can easily poke holes in an egg shell with a hat pin, but I still wouldn't trust it not to explode and make an awful mess.
Linda C

Well,if she is now in assisted living, don't confuse her too much! I've visited a few and dined in them and the food was great. I would encourage her to go to the dining room and meet new friends in this stage of her life.
A sweet potato that doesn't have quite enough holes can explode and steam too much for a senior citizen.
Of course, some things can be made in the microwave easily and successfully but just present a a few ideas at a time, not a cookbook.

I make fresh corn on the cob by wrapping it in wax paper and microwaving it for 3 mins per ear.

I think if you were to google up 'microwave recipes' you may find some on-line sources, just one is below to give you an idea. Perhaps you could select a couple of simple recipes that don't require a lot of ingredients or prep and print them out for her (in big print) as a housewarming present.

Here is a link that might be useful: Recipes

I agree with Bumblebeez, encourage her to eat in the dining room as much as possible. I just found out that my cousin's son is working at a retirement home as a souz chef, after spending his college years studying to be a chef, plus a year at the CIA in Nappa Valley. If they're hiring that level of chefs, the food can't be too bad.

My mother had alzheimers, and could cook microwave dinners, which for some reason she actually liked, but after a while, she had to have her meals prepared for her. One thing you could do, maybe, is prepare her favorite foods at home, package them in microwavable containers, and bring them to her to microwave for herself. When my mother wasn't too far along, that is what we did. We had a day care giver there for the daytimes, and she fixed Mom's dinner for her to microwave whenever she wanted her dinner. That worked well for some time.

One other thought - if she's dependable and they're allowed, what about a toaster oven? I actually don't have one, but my daughter has testified to all kinds of things you can do with them.

Sally

When we were checking into assisted living with the idea that my MIL might need to go to one, we were invited to eat at one. It actually was a lot like the place you describe, and they are a chain--Sunrise and Brighton Gardens. The food was fabulous--nutritious, perfectly prepared, delicious, served in a dining room that looked more like a pricy restaurant than a cafeteria (it wasn't cafeteria style--the residents were served at their linen-covered tables, on china). Not only will she get good meals if she eats in the dining room, but she'll be able to meet people, make friends, and--I think--will adjust to her new lifestyle quicker.

However, there are times when you just want to cook for yourself. Actually, the microwave is the BEST way to cook most vegetables--with the exception of some beans (they tend to get hard/tough). For most, I just rinse the veg, leave a little water clinging to them, cover with plastic wrap and zap until they're done enough for my taste. Of course, the time depends upon the strength of the microwave and the quantity of food being cooked. For corn on the cob, I rarely ever cook it on the range any more. Why heat up a big pot of water when you can have perfectly cooked corn in 2-3 minutes in the microwave. I clean mine well, wrap in plastic wrap and put in on a plate.

As to eggs--I can't help you there. I've never been pleased with micrwaved eggs of any type. But, I bet, if she really wants a few hardcooked eggs (for an egg salad sandwich, or to put in a tossed salad), I'd bet the chef would be glad to give her a few, if he's making them for something else--can't hurt to ask, anyway.

Does she have a microwave cookbook? If not, there are some excellant ones out there, and it might be a good reference for her to have on hand. Hope she is happy in her new place, and makes lots of new friends.

In the absence of an oven, I make meatloaf in the microwave in a covered casserole. 30 minutes at half power and a few minutes on high for a large one. Also, pick up a vented microwave plate cover. It will keep the splatters from making a mess.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vented microwave plate cover.

Never use plastic or plastic wrap on foods that contain fat, it melts the plastic and makes the food toxic.

Not knowing if she chose assisted living because of physical or mental deficiencies it's hard to say just how much she can handle... In either event it may be wise to show her how to do things rather than just giving her instructions or cookbooks, it will be easier for her.

For veggies I cut them up in bite sized pieces, rinse well, place in glass bowl, add a tiny bit of water, season to taste, cover with a glass plate and cook... Let them sit a minute or more, use a dish towel to pick the whole thing up and invert the bowl and your veggies are now on the plate ready to eat...

Whatever she cooks. in a microwave, make sure she knows that she must let stuff sit for a bit... As we age our skin gets thinner and more susceptible to burns... I'm in my 60's and got a really nasty burn, from the steam, removing plastic wrap from a bowl of veggies... I no longer use plastic wrap... I picked up some 1, 2 and 4 cup Pyrex bowls and use a bread & butter plate for the cover... You can use a dish towel to tilt the plate away from you to release the steam and avoid burns.

Above all, visit her as often as you can, if only for a few minutes.

Rita

Thank you all again.

The food was fabulous--nutritious, perfectly prepared, delicious, served in a dining room that looked more like a pricy restaurant than a cafeteria (it wasn't cafeteria style--the residents were served at their linen-covered tables, on china). Not only will she get good meals if she
The food was fabulous--nutritious, perfectly prepared, delicious, served in a dining room that looked more like a pricy restaurant than a cafeteria (it wasn't cafeteria style--the residents were served at their linen-covered tables, on china). Not only will she get good meals if she eats in the dining room, but she'll be able to meet people, make friends, and--I think--will adjust to her new lifestyle quicker.

I had dinner with her last Wed, and it was just as you described, and everyone was 'dressed up' for it too IMHO.
Yes, she will pretty well be taking 2 meals per day in the dining room, as she will continue to fix her own breakfast...nutritious cereal, with fruit/nuts, and a piece of fruit or juice.

However, there are times when you just want to cook for yourself.
Exactly. I was thinking of her occasionally making something for 'us' like old times at her house....or something she was particularly hungry for. I also found out there is a full 'group' kitchen available for the residents, for just such things.

Not knowing if she chose assisted living because of physical or mental deficiencies it's hard to say just how much she can handle... In either event it may be wise to show her how to do things
Yes...and probably a couple of times too. She is early stage Alz, but with structure, getting her meds on time, and some routine, we hope she will respond and do well/better than she was at home (son living with her) with no structure/routine, days and nights mixed up, and so much clutter, upset, and nothing very handy.

I just talked to the home and they have a chili cook-off in the works. Residents and outside family members are all invited to attend and/or enter. I hope it will work out for her to make her 'killer' chili, complete with my home canned tomato juice. It should be fun!

Above all, visit her as often as you can, if only for a few minutes.
I'm about 1/2 hour away so for years we have done a lot of vising via phone (nearly daily)...usually anywhere from 1/2 to 2 hour visits. She is to get her phone turned on today and I'll take her a phone and check that it works tomorrow. Woohoo! I will once again be able to let her know I am thinking of her anytime I want to...and she me.

She used a microwave some at home so she is at least used to using one for heating things up.

Sue

Do get her the vented microwave lid. It doesn't get hot or stick like plastic wrap. And easy to lift off to check if something is done or needs to be stired. Also prevents a mess if you heat something for too long.

There is NEVER a need to buy microwave food especially veggies. Firm things like potatoes need to be pricked. Soft things need to be covered with the vented lid.

How about crock pot cooking?! If cooking is something that she loves to do and has to somewhat give it up, crock pots and preparing those meals can be a great substitute. The aroma of the food in the crock pot makes a home feel homey.

I think she usually used paper toweling to cover food against splatters...but will check into a vented lid. I use a vented lid, and will see if she might use/like one. She may or may not want to change from her old 'habit' and I will understand that. She has had an awfully lot of change since going into her new studio apartment just one week ago.

Crock pot...great idea! We could even do the corn in it I think, once the water got good and hot. She really is limited on cabinet storage and counter space. sigh....

I have nothing to add food-wise, but I do want to say what a sweet, kind, thoughful, caring, and wonderful friend you are.

Thank you for the kind words. I have really been bummed out through a lot of this.

She and I have been best friends for about 15 years. We worked together back b4 she retired and she is the sort of person who would do anything for anyone.

She borrowed a phone this eve and called me to reschedule my visit for tomorrow. Seems she double booked with another friend of hers, and she hated to let them know of it and back out on them. (She thought they would not understand like I would). I told her that was fine and I would just come later in the afternoon and just wait for her if she wasn't back there yet. She sounded quite perky and like her old self on the phone. I was soooo happy to hear from her. She has been so confused this past week (I think she might be overstimulated) that I was surprised she realized she had double booked, and either remembered or 'found' my number on her fridge.

This will be a difficult time for both you and her. Be sure to check out the Alzheimer's Association if you haven't done so already. They offer loads of help ranging from books and caregiver classes to support groups. Some nursing homes and assisted living centers also offer support groups. You may want to check into the place your mother is staying for any such groups. This website has a caregivers forum as well. It's been 4 years since my mother passed away, but please feel free to email me any time you need to, for any reason.

Sally

Thanks Sally. She isn't my Mom, but a friend and she has 4 children, their spouses and grandchildren. Right now we are all very much in touch, keeping each other 'informed' of happenings, potential problems, and offering suggestions/solutions. You might say we are our own little support group, but in time I may search out others if nothing else than to help me cope.

I checked out the Caregivers forum last night and will probably be a regular there now.

Thanks for your support...I may need it at some point.

I'll check too with the Alzheimer's Association. I want to know and understand as much as I can to assist her in any way possible.

Sue

I don't know how I got it in my head that it was your mom. Sorry about that. It's gotta be difficult to have a good friend go through this, too, though.

Sally

Alzheimer's suffers lose recent memory, so all changes are confusing. Think how confused she must be by her new surroundings.
When I moved my MIL into assisted living from her own apartment, the administrator advised me and helped me keep everything looking as much the same as possible...sofa oriented to the TV in the same way, pictures on the walls in the same relation to each other etc. And we did it all while she was at therapy and then lunch. We avoided the wholemoving thing and just took her back to her room for a nap....and she scarcely knew.
The dementia unit in that same facility was recently built and all halls are circular, because Alz. patients walk and walk. All the furniture is 1940's and 50's style, there are items like dial phoned and old radios sitting around...just for comfort.
My MIL always wanted to "do the laundry" so they would bring her a basket of wash cloths to be folded. Then they would mess them up and take them to her the next day. She would complain about who was using all the towels and making all that laundry.
In another period she had to go to work ( she worked at the office of a local business, part time for many years) so they sat her at the counter at the nurses' station and gave her some cards to sort.
Later she forgot basic things like turning around and would get "stuck" at the end of a hall.
I was told to never"argue" with her as to her perception of reality, but to gently bring her back to what really was. For example if she would say she met her brother for lunch, don't say "no! you didn't! He's been dead for 15 years!" but say something like Mr' W. probably looks a lot like your brother did doesn't he.
Hard stuff you are facing...but it's wonderful she has a place to be.
Linda C