Cooking Groups for Older Adults: Implications for Functional Abilities

Abstract

Occupational therapists utilize cooking groups to optimize intrinsic capacity and functional ability, but there is a lack of scientific evaluation. This quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate the effect of a cooking group on cognitive, emotional, psychomotor, and interpersonal performance in older adults. Nineteen participants with chronic conditions were recruited to attend ten consecutive cooking sessions. Large Allen Cognitive Level Screen-5 (LACLS-5), Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS-15), psychomotor speed test and interpersonal communication observation were used. The results showed significant improvement in the study outcomes. Therefore, the cooking groups have improved cooperative capacity through engaging the older adults’ functional abilities.