KITCHEN SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS
AND THEIR CAREGIVERS

You may have heard the expression “a watched pot never boils,” but what if you don’t want it boiling over while your mother is cooking? Like they say, “there’s an app for that” only here we are talking about some interesting applications..

You know that your aging parents want to remain in their familiar home, but you are worried about all the things that can go wrong, like the pot boiling over or other kitchen disasters. Even with a caregiver in the home part of the day, you worry. While you may know what can go wrong since you have to watch out for them yourself, you know that sometimes your mother has left a pot holder or cup towel on the stove and it caught fire. She got distracted for a just a minute. So you worry.

Cooking accidents are the leading cause of fire related injuries to older Americans. The kitchen is one of the most active and potentially dangerous rooms in the home. Remember that pot boiling over? There are things called pot watchers, ceramic disks that you can put in a pot that will prevent it from boiling over. With these handing little devices, your parent will not have puddles on the floor to slip in or a fall in the frantic rush to get to the stove.

Kitchen fires and home safety for the elderly:
Most kitchen fires occur because food is left unattended on the stove or in the oven. If you must leave the kitchen while cooking, take a spoon or potholder with you to remind you to return to the kitchen. Never cook with loose, dangling sleeves that can ignite easily. Heat cooking oils gradually and use extra caution when deep-frying. If a fire breaks out in a pan, put a lid on the pan. Never throw water on a grease fire.

  • Some appliances have an automatic shut-off feature. The switch turns the appliance off if it’s been idle for a certain number of minutes. Look for kettles, toaster ovens, irons, and electric frying pans with this fire-prevention feature.
  • Single-lever faucets make it easier to turn the water on and off
  • Devices that make it easier to dice vegetables
  • Gadgets that enable someone with a weak grip to open cans and bottles
  • Specialized kitchenware than enables you to eat with one hand
  • Utensils with large handles for a better grip. L-shaped knives also ensure a better grip and minimize the possibility of injuries.
  • If your loved one is agreeable, think about replacing glass kitchen wear with a non-breakable material. The ability to grip things firmly decreases with age. Look at a light-weight material with a non-slippery surface. Having to navigate around broken glass is a dangerous situation for an elderly person.
  • Pot stabilizers utilize a wire frame the keeps the pot from spinning while you’re stirring. This device holds the pot handle in place, preventing the cook from knocking the pot off the stove.
  • Making over their home can make sure it is a safe and welcoming place for your elderly loved one. These tips can help you make their home as safe as it can be to prevent accidents and serious injuries.

    Thanks to our colleagues at Sequoia Senior Solutions , Petaluma, CA. ■

    http://www.sequoiaseniorsolutions.com/