5 Tips To Make Your Elderly Loved One's Kitchen As Safe As Possible
If you have an older parent or other elderly loved one who is living alone, you are probably glad that he or she is able to enjoy as much independence as possible. However, you might be worried about keeping your loved one as safe as possible while in the home, such as in the kitchen.
Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to make your loved one's kitchen as safe as possible. Then, he or she can prepare food and enjoy meals without as much of a risk of getting hurt, and you can gain peace of mind:
1. Keep Commonly-Used Items in Easy Reach
Your loved one could take a tumble while reaching for something on a high shelf or attempting to pick up a heavy pot or pan that is stored above waist level. Assess the items in the kitchen that are most commonly used, and make sure that they are in easy reach.
2. Avoid Polishing or Waxing the Floor
Be careful about polishing or waxing the floor. By keeping the floor clean but not polished or waxed, you can help prevent it from being too slippery.
3. Use Non-Slip Mats in the Kitchen
Consider looking for non-slip mats for the kitchen, which can be placed in front of the sink and stove, where splashes and spills might be more common. This can help provide the elderly person with a safer, not-so-slippery area that can help prevent falls.
4. Keep a Fire Extinguisher Nearby
It's always important to keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, but it can be particularly important for someone who might be forgetful or who might otherwise be more prone to having an accident in the kitchen. Teach your loved one how to use the fire extinguisher, and also make sure that there is a smoke detector with a fresh battery in the room.
5. Consider Hiring a Home Health Aide
One great idea is to hire a home health aide to come out and help your elderly loved one. Depending on your loved one's needs, the home health care provider can come daily or a few times a week. Then, this professional can check on your loved one to ensure that no injuries have been sustained, can check the kitchen to make sure that it's safe and can even help with things like preparing meals and cleaning up.
As you can see, your elderly loved one does not have to stay out of the kitchen in order to stay safe. If you follow these tips, you can help ensure that your loved one is as safe as possible when in this part of the home. To learn more, contact a company like In Your Home Care.