what kind of mini cakes or biscuits would go down well? eaten with fingers and no mess)

id go for traditional things like gingerbread and ginger biscuits, little iced fairy cakes, flapjack,madelines - nothing really hard on messy to eat, mini chocolate muffins, mini lemon syrup sponges, chocolate brownies - things they wouldnt make for themselves

Sorry, but what makes you assume that elderly people are any different ftrom anyone else? What would any other group of people like and what would you make for them? I'm sure you didn't mean it but it sounds a bit patronising to treat elderly people as if they had somehow left their intelligence behind somewhere.

Well said Sylvestra. Couldn't agree more. Not nice to fear that once one hits 60 people will imagine 'no teeth and dribbling'.

Sylvestra i can not believe someone can get so peeved by such a well intentioned post. So i made a generalisation, big deal. I was concerned because i'm baking for a care centre, the elderly visitors are mainly survivors of strokes and their coordination is not so good. This effects eating, walking and talking. I wanted something not too fiddly and i was too polite to say it- but something that will not get stuck in their dentures. I assumed other members would be bright enough to work this out without me having to S-P-E-L-L- it out. Gayle- thank you so much for the suggestions i have decided to go for traditional family favourites like ginger biscuits and lemon cake. I thought this could conjur happy memories.

How do you define elderly?

I have just returned from a weekend of catering party food and a lunch for an 80 year old who wanted to share her birthday with her friends and family. The ages ranged from 13 to 86. The food was split into a 'tea' for the friends and a lunch for the family. Baking for the tea was flapjack, fruitcake, gingercake and maltcake. These were backed up by open sandwiches. They ate well and most took 'doggy bags'. I had catered an extra 50% as I was told they liked to eat well, they cleared the cakes. My favourite moment was seeing the 86 year old taking a nip of malt whiskey with a piece of cake. A local custom apparently.

My point? Age is no restriction to having a good time with food and drink.

David

How do i define the elderly? Oh for gods sake...come on.

They don't mind attending an 'elderly day centre' so they see nothing wrong with the term 'elderly'. I think food is great for ALL ages, don't get me wrong. I just want people at the centre to be comfortable and not have little accidents which might embarrass them. I am only being sensitive to their needs. For example, i would never eat an eclair in cafe revive...love eclairs but i wouldnt want to risk getting cream down my front...know what i mean?

I dont want an 80 year old to have to sit and worry about bits of oats stuck under their teeth...Please dont think i have something against them. Either i havent been very clear or i'm not understanding what you are saying.

Im just a 20yr old giving back to the community, and i can't believe i'm being critisized and flamed for my good intentions.

By define, I was just asking what your target age group was.

At the risk of getting another blast from your 'hair trigger', may I suggest you try talking to your target audience about what they like.

I have been cooking for far too many years and have often found that 'special diets' prepared with the best intention by people from another age group sometimes deprive 'the elderly' of their favourite foods. As an example, people with dentures are very well aware of what they can and cannot eat, they like to have a choice and are mostly happy to try flapjack.

No criticism intended. Well done for putting something back into your community. Shame so few of us do.

good on you curiosity for doing such a kind deed!

as for what cakes to make, perhaps ask the workers at the day centre, that way it would still be a nice surprise for the residents. perhaps ask the workers if there are any diabetics there also, as that aspect of things will need to be accomadated for if there are

sorry chef de maison, i must have misinterpreted what you were asking. You came accross as quite snarky to be honest, in the same way that syvestria did. Food is food. No pretentious backround information needed either.

Thank you cheese obsessive, I took your advice. We decided between us that something traditional and *yorkshire* would please.

that sounds lovely, i hope it goes well

Could I suggest bread pudding this is always a firm favourite with all ages and its traditional. Sally luns are good too and easy to make.

Well done for helping out, hope they all have a lovely time.

Vi xx

the bread pudding sounds quite novel...would you serve this hot or cold? I saw paul hollywood make sally luns on gfl once- i really liked the look of these!

You can serve bread pudding as a pudding with custard or cold like a slice of cake. It also freezes really well too.

I love the thick icing on sally luns and you could do all different colours.

Vi xx