fb-pixelTips for cooks and caregivers - The Boston Globe Skip to main content

Tips for cooks and caregivers

TIPS FOR COOKS

Many caregivers are tired, private, and weary of strangers in the house. Here are some ways to make life a little easier.

You don’t have to be a fancy cook, and don’t feel it has to be homemade. But don’t bring foods that need to be prepared or assembled, other than heated. (And write down instructions; caregivers have trouble remembering things.)

If you’ve signed up to bring a meal, don’t forget (it happened to us several times). If you think you won’t have time, don’t sign up. Families can’t eat good intentions. And remember that a “meal” includes a main course, not just soup or dessert.

Advertisement



Try not to bring meals in good dishes, which gives caregivers one more thing to keep track of. Label plastic containers if you want them back.

Meal drop-off time is not a good time to visit. Wait to be invited in. Don’t march into the kitchen to put the food down.

Rather than asking caregivers what they would like you to cook, make suggestions. I would have liked pheasant under glass many evenings, but I would never have asked.

Bring enough so there are leftovers.

TIPS FOR CAREGIVERS

Ask someone else to coordinate the meal calendar for you,

and be specific about food preferences.

It’s OK to leave a cooler outside for drop-offs.

You can always find time to e-mail a thank-you note.

LINDA MATCHAN