Kitchen Staples for Older Folks

[godisagardener]

I'm tasked with getting together Thanksgiving/Christmas "baskets" for several older (well, older than me!) home-bound church members. I could really use some suggestions for kitchen staples and a few fluffy extras to include. They're all in their 80s and 90s...

 

[tturt]

Since they probably don't cook that much, I would include some canned meats such as chicken, tuna, and roast beef along with some no sugar added fruit, assorted nuts, soups. Oh, and peanut butter.

 

[mourningdove~]

I'm tasked with getting together Thanksgiving/Christmas "baskets" for several older (well, older than me!) home-bound church members. I could really use some suggestions for kitchen staples and a few fluffy extras to include. They're all in their 80s and 90s...

I've been thinking on this ...

But one thing about older folks is that they oftentimes do not eat very large portions at one sitting. So, items packaged in small portions might be appreciated. My 96 year old MIL really liked these things:

*A piece of fresh fruit: apple or a banana*
Small individual Jello and pudding cups
Small individual cups of fruit or applesauce
Small individual portions of cottage cheese that come with a side of fruit. (dairy section of store)
Small packaged snacks that included a cheese spread, with crackers alongside - or tuna salad, with crackers. (WalMart)
Little individual boxes of chocolates, like the kind one can sometimes find at a Walgreens
Candy bar or small box/bag of candies

Fluffy extra? A small stuffed animal. (Can be a cheery 'holiday' type!)

Nice project you are doing ... God bless you!
Our older folks often get forgotten. Usually means alot for them to know they are still loved ......

 

[godisagardener]

Since they probably don't cook that much, I would include some canned meats such as chicken, tuna, and roast beef along with some no sugar added fruit, assorted nuts, soups. Oh, and peanut butter.

Some great ideas, thanks tturt. I was also thinking of some non-frozen microwavable meals, like Compleats or Dinty Moore?

 

[godisagardener]

I've been thinking on this ...

But one thing about older folks is that they oftentimes do not eat very large portions at one sitting. So, items packaged in small portions might be appreciated. My 96 year old MIL really liked these things:

*A piece of fresh fruit: apple or a banana*
Small individual Jello and pudding cups
Small individual cups of fruit or applesauce
Small individual portions of cottage cheese that come with a side of fruit. (dairy section of store)
Small packaged snacks that included a cheese spread, with crackers alongside - or tuna salad, with crackers. (WalMart)
Little individual boxes of chocolates, like the kind one can sometimes find at a Walgreens
Candy bar or small box/bag of candies

Fluffy extra? A small stuffed animal. (Can be a cheery 'holiday' type!)

Nice project you are doing ... God bless you!
Our older folks often get forgotten. Usually means alot for them to know they are still loved ......

Thanks mourningdove~! True about portions. My 94 year old mother eats like a bird. When I chide her about it she says what she eats makes her full. Plus those I'm buying for all have dentures, which makes it difficult to chew some things. I need to keep that in mind.

All of your suggestions are ideal. Plus I noticed fluffy Christmas socks at WM so I'll get those.

 

[mourningdove~]

Thanks mourningdove~! True about portions. My 94 year old mother eats like a bird. When I chide her about it she says what she eats makes her full. Plus those I'm buying for all have dentures, which makes it difficult to chew some things. I need to keep that in mind.

All of your suggestions are ideal. Plus I noticed fluffy Christmas socks at WM so I'll get those.

Oh I forgot about those socks ... we got those for my MIL, too.
(Her feet were always cold!)

 

[godisagardener]

Oh I forgot about those socks ... we got those for my MIL, too.
(Her feet were always cold!)

I rather like them myself!