Summer is the Perfect Time for Some Exotic Fruit
Summer is a great time for your senior to branch out and try some new fruits that perhaps they have never had. It can be too easy to head to the grocery store and buy the same things every time because they are familiar. Strawberries, oranges, and grapes may be your elderly loved one’s go-to fruits, but since most fruit drops in price over the summer and is often in its prime for ripeness, summer can be a great time to reach past those oranges and grab something unique like dragon fruit or papaya.
Because the fruit might be a bit out of your loved one’s comfort zone, it can help to have a friend or a companion care at home provider help with trying new fruit. It can be daunting to look at a spiky dragon fruit and wonder where to begin.
Here are some easy steps for you or companion care at home to help your loved one try something new this summer.
1. Make a List
Before she even heads to the store, have your loved one look at the local shopping ad for what fruit she might like to try today. Pick two or three so that she has options when she gets there and add them to the list.
2. Do a Little Research
Once home, have your loved one’s companion care at home provider help your loved one do a little research on the fruit she chose. Learn about where it comes from, how it’s best eaten, and how it is best prepared. A little help from the internet can make the process much easier, and it’s fun to learn some facts about the fruit as well.
3. Be Patient
Many fruits need a bit of time to ripen. If it seems like it’s not quite ready to be eaten yet, let it sit and ripen for a few days. This is another place where the internet can help with useful information to determine when it’s ready to eat and how best to store it.
4. Prepare It
When it’s time, have your companion care at home provider help prepare the fruit for enjoying. Some exotic fruits have tough skins or large stones in the middle, so cutting into them or peeling them can be a challenge. If your loved one struggles to hold a knife, having someone help with this step will keep her safe and reduce any frustration that may occur.
5. Enjoy!
This is especially fun to experience with someone. Set out the fruit and try it together. It may be a completely different texture or flavor than your loved one has ever had but it’s still fun to try and imagine she’s sitting on an exotic island somewhere enjoying her fresh fruit. Even if ends up not being her favorite fruit, it will have been fun to try.
Some Great Exotic Fruits to Try
Here are some great exotic fruits to try this summer with your senior loved one. Many of these can be purchased as a single fruit, making them an inexpensive experiment.
- Papaya
- Dragon fruit
- Mangos (many varieties)
- Kiwi
- Rambutan
- Passion Fruit
Of course, you or your companion care at home provider can always just head to the fruit aisle, see what’s there, and give something new a try. Your loved one has nothing to lose and might find a new favorite fruit!
If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home in Middletown, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Lares Home Care (732) 334-3323.
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