To keep seniors healthy and independent, it’s important to keep them safe in the home. As people get older, their bodies and minds may change, making it harder for them to do certain things. This is why the senior home care team is so essential, ensuring seniors are safe when loved ones can’t be there. This need for safety in the home starts in the kitchen, which is what this blog will focus on. Consider the following safety tips for adults in the kitchen.
Clear Clutter: Don’t leave anything in the kitchen that could cause seniors to trip. This means removing loose rugs, cords, or other things that are in the way. It’s easier to get around in a clean, well-organized area.
Good Lighting: Make sure the kitchen has enough light. Having enough light lowers the risk of accidents and makes it easier for seniors to read labels, follow recipes, and use cooking tools safely.
Make Sure Items Are Easy to Reach: Store things that seniors use often at waist or eye level so they don’t have to reach too far or bend over too much. You can also install pull-out shelves or lazy susans to make things easier to reach.
Easy-to-Use Appliances: Choose kitchen appliances with big, clear buttons and controls that are easy to read and understand. Avoid appliances with choices that are hard for seniors to understand.
Choose the Right Cookware: Safe cookware is light, doesn’t stick, and has handles that are easy to hold. Heavy pots and pans can be hard to move around, which makes spills and burns more likely.
Ensure Cooking Safety: Ensure older people know how to use the stove and oven safely to prevent fires. The senior home care team can monitor this to ensure safety, but loved ones might also want to install a device that turns off stoves automatically to prevent crashes when seniors are alone.
Avoid Loose Clothes: Encourage seniors to wear clothes that fit well when they cook so that their sleeves or other loose clothes don’t catch fire or get caught in appliances. This is another area where the senior home care team can help.
Buy Ergonomic Tools: Buy tools with handles that fit seniors’ hands well and are easy to use. This includes knives, peelers, and can openers, among other things.
Labeling: Clearly label food items and containers with their contents and expiration dates to avoid misunderstanding and reduce the risk of eating spoiled food.
Make an Emergency Plan: Loved ones and the senior home care team should create an emergency plan, have a first aid kit handy, and have access to a fire extinguisher.
The senior home care team should also be aware of any medicines that seniors might be taking that could affect their mental or physical skills. Some medicines can make you feel dizzy or sleepy, which makes it harder to do things in the kitchen safely. In addition, knowing how much supervision seniors need is key. Together, with the help of loved ones, seniors can continue to enjoy cooking as they once did.
If you or someone you know needs senior home care in Buffalo, MN, contact Adara Home Health. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve. Call us at (888) 660-5772 for more information.