Linda Buettner is a gerontologist and recreational therapist, specializing in the care of people with dementia. She's the director of the Center for Positive Aging in Port Charlotte, Florida, where she has implemented a cooking class for the center’s clients.
Isolation is one of the key problems that people with dementia face -- their condition can prevent them from social, cognitive and physical activities, which often results in physical decline and depression. By bringing her students into the kitchen, Linda gives them a means of connecting to their past, of sharing their history with one another and improving their emotional well-being. Linda talks about the difficulties of working with the memory-challenged, why cooking is such an effective tool, and how the class is making a positive impact on her students.
Music Break: Piece of Mind - Baker Brothers