The kitchen can pose a range of safety issues for seniors, from slippery floors to tangled cords. Being able to prevent accidents in the kitchen can help your aging loved one live more independently. Making the following easy modifications can keep your loved one safer when he or she is in the kitchen.
Install a Smoke Detector
Install a monitored smoke detector in your loved one’s kitchen. This type of detector works with a medical alert system, which can protect both your loved one and his or her home. A monitored detector will sound an alarm should there be a fire in the kitchen, and it will call you or your loved one as well as the fire department.
Aging adults who need assistance in the kitchen and help with daily tasks can benefit from in-home professional caregivers. In Richmond, respite care is a great help to many families. Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times, which puts family caregivers at risk for burnout. However, an in-home caregiver can take over your loved one’s care, allowing you the time you need to focus on your own health, maintain a full-time job, or care for other members of your family.
Make Items Accessible
Move the kitchen items your loved one uses most often higher or lower to prevent the need to use a stepladder or bend over too far to reach them. Remove any clutter in the kitchen to reduce the chances of your loved one being hurt.
Label & Automate Devices
Clearly label on and off positions on the lights, coffee maker, garbage disposal, and other appliances in the kitchen to prevent confusion and a possible fire. Another good idea would be to install a device that automatically turns off the stove should your loved one leave it unattended for an extended period. If this happens, you or another caregiver will receive an alert. Using this type of automatic oven shutoff tool greatly lessens the chances of having a fire in the kitchen.
Provide Adaptive Equipment
Stock the kitchen with easy-to-hold cookware and utensils with wide-grip handles that make the cooking experience easier and safer. Other modified items that would be beneficial in the kitchen include two-handled cups for easy holding, rocker knives, a pot stabilizer, a grabber device with a handle to retrieve items from hard-to-reach shelves, and a mixing bowl holder that stabilizes the bowl, making it easier to hold and more difficult to drop.
A professional in-home caregiver can provide assistance in the kitchen and ensure your loved one eats healthy meals. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of home care service. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Organize Cords
Organize the electrical cords in the kitchen by tucking them behind appliances and counters. Keep extension cords secure and away from any walking paths to prevent falls. You could also use a staple gun to attach cords along the base of the walls in the kitchen so they aren’t in the way.
Place Nonslip Mats on the Floor
Place a nonslip mat in front of the dishwasher, stove, sink, and other areas prone to spills your loved one may not see. For extra security, put carpet tape around the edges of the mats to secure them to the floor. Adding carpet tape to mats keeps them in place, which also prevents seniors from accidentally tripping over them when moving around in the kitchen.
Receiving professional in-home care can ensure your loved one’s safety while he or she ages in place. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Richmond senior home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your loved one, call us at (804) 207-4746 today.