Alcohol generally has a bad reputation but I must say that I have found it very useful when getting into the same mind space of my father who has dementia and will very shortly be residing in a rest home. Making the time during the care process to excuse oneself with a plausible reason to instead get some quality boozing and gambling time at the local pub has been very beneficial in terms of a much needed time out. Of course once he is off to the rest home it will be a month off the booze but in the meantime... So yes, in terms of dealing with dementia, and cooking, alcohol is very useful.