The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, and many people enjoy spending time in this room. Elderly adults who are living with cognitive functioning decline, however, may not be able to utilize the room the way they once did. As a family caregiver, you may worry that your senior could be in danger due to the various equipment and tools used in the kitchen. Fortunately, there are ways you can create a safer kitchen environment for an elderly adult who is living with cognitive function decline so you can continue to encourage independence and autonomy, reduce the risk of dangerous activities, and promote a higher quality of life as they age in place.
Use these tips to create a safer kitchen for a senior who is living with cognitive functioning decline:
- Disconnect the stove if they have a tendency to turn it on and forget it, or you are concerned about burns
- Remove gadgets and tools that are not used frequently and that could be dangerous
- Store sharp tools out of reach of your parent, somewhere they will not look for them when they are not supervised
- Replace a conventional coffee maker with a one-cup version. This can help reduce the risk of severe burns from an entire pot falling on them or spilling if they do not place the pot properly
- Remove fabric decorative items that may catch on fire if not used properly
- Label all cabinets, cupboards, and shelves clearly
- Do not store any dangerous chemicals in the kitchen. This is especially important for those cleaners that may smell or look like consumable materials such as juice
- Avoid storing large containers of foods within easy reach of your parent. Many with cognitive functioning decline will eat large amounts of strange ingredients, such as flour or sugar, potentially leading to illness
- Have a timer easily accessible so your parent can remind themselves that the stove or oven is on
- Have a fire extinguisher easily accessible so you, an elder care provider, or another caregiver can quickly manage a fire if it starts
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is critical to maintaining health and well-being, but many elderly adults struggle with challenges and limitations that keep them from getting the nutrients they need. Elder care can help. An elderly home care services provider can help your aging loved one get a more balanced diet on a regular basis through personalized services including assistance at the grocery store, meal and snack preparation, and even physical help with eating if necessary. This can encourage your parent to eat better, support better physical functioning, enjoy more energy, and experience and overall higher quality of life.
If you are considering hiring elder care in Pleasant View, UT, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Seniors Helping Seniors of Ogden, UT. Call today 801-821-4535.