For this dementia-friendly recipe, you will need your choice of:
- Fruit
- Dairy
- Sweetener
DEMENTIA TIP
Be sure to keep your loved one as independent as possible during the process. Take your time and give physical and verbal cues as needed. Encourage your loved one in selecting the ingredients of their choice and guide them in measuring out each one. Use this as a time to reconnect and slow down to have a special experience together. Take time to taste, smell, and really be present.
SUBSTITUTES
For sugar-free popsicles, substitute full-fat coconut milk or Greek yogurt as a base, with sugar-free sweeteners as needed.
Creamy Homemade Popsicles
Are you looking for a fun way to stay cool while creating new experiences for your loved one with dementia? Well, look no further because we have the perfect dementia-friendly summer activity for you! Making homemade popsicles offers a great solution to beating the heat while satisfying everyone’s sweet tooth.
To get started, have your fruits, dairy, and sweeteners of choice ready, plus a blender, popsicle sticks, and a silicone mold (check these out from Amazon). Then, mix your ingredients in a blender until smooth, pour into your silicone mold, insert your popsicle sticks, and freeze for at least 5 hours.
Here are a few of our favorite Oakwood-inspired popsicle flavor combinations to get you started!
Sweet Memories
- 1 ½ cups fresh berries
- 2 Tbsp honey or sugar
- 1 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
The Perfect Scoop
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 Tbsp sugar
Oakwood Orange
- 12 oz frozen orange juice concentrate
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
Did you know?
Drinking plenty of clear water is always the rule of thumb when it comes to keeping your loved one hydrated. However, if you’re having trouble encouraging them to drink water, AgingCare states popsicles or ice cream may be an exciting alternative option for making sure your loved one gets enough fluids.
