Some of the fondest memories people have of their childhood is when they were able to sit down at a table and snack on grandma’s freshly baked cookies. While manufacturers have tried to capture the warmth, ooey-gooeyness that is grandma’s cookies they haven’t come close. Now people can re-capture those memories with freshly baked cookies by purchasing them through a bakery club from a local senior home care service.

“One of the activities offered by our senior home care services is occupational therapy”, explained senior home care director Sylvia Harvard. “Occupational therapy includes learning to write, get dressed, and bake. I noticed a lot of the seniors enjoyed baking so I thought I’d turn it into something fun.”

Sylvia Harvard developed a program that is offered through her senior home health services. The program pairs certified and trained occupational therapists with individuals who love to cook. Each week they spend an hour cooking favorite recipes that include cakes, cookies and pastries. The baked goods are then packaged and sold at a weekly bake sale, where all proceeds go to purchasing supplies and renting out the kitchen.

“Some people seem offended by what we’re doing like we’re making a profit off of these innocent elderly people”, said Harvard. “We don’t make a dime from the sales of the baked goods. Everything goes back into the program.”

The programmed titled “Grandma’s Cookies” currently has a total of 25 individuals who attend weekly occupational therapy clinics. In addition to the occupational therapy, the elderly patients have their regular, routine health screenings done such as blood pressure, and blood sugar.

“My mother used to love to bake us cookies and cakes”, said Yolanda Heavens. “She sort of gave that up when she suffered her stroke. So when I heard of the Grandma’s Cookies program I knew it was intended for her.”

“I just love it”, said Rita Heavens. “I get to cook all day, and I’m re-learning skills I used to have. I even think I’m not as depressed as I used to be. It’s amazing, and I have to say some of these cookies are just so yummy that it’s tempting not to eat them all up!”

The “Grandma’s Cookies” program is catching nationwide attention. Sylvia Harvard has had several senior home health services calling her to see how her program is modeled. Sylvia is planning on visiting these home health services and helping them set up their program.