When a senior chooses to age in place, it can be scary and challenging to accept. This is especially true when you are unsure of the level of care your seniors can give themselves. Your senior may love cooking, but sometimes things happen that are not safe in the kitchen. If a stove or even the oven is left on, it can put your senior in danger. Whether or not your loved one has senior home care services, here are some kitchen safety tips to keep in mind to tell your senior.
Try Cooking Together and Make it Special
When you make mealtimes feel special, they will want to cook more often and with you! When you’re there, it means you can keep an eye on what is happening in the kitchen. Is your loved one using a knife? Are they cooking things at the right temperature or know how to tell when meat is done? Turning off the oven? You will be able to tell if your senior loved one is still capable of doing things on their own. When you figure out what they can do safely, you can then help them decide on a menu they can mostly do on their own. This will allow them to feel independent but also have fun during the times you both cook together.
Help Your Loved One Check for Expiration Dates
Check your loved one’s fridge and pantry regularly to ensure that none of his or her food has expired. If your loved one no longer conducts his or her own grocery shopping, he or she may be unaware of how long specific goods have been bought. Because some seniors have a decreased sense of smell, they may have difficulties spotting poor food and may drink sour milk or consume other old foods.
Senior Home Care Aides can Assist them to Watch for Open Flames
Certain care must be taken if your loved one’s kitchen has a gas burner or stove. Allowing your loved one to wear long sleeves while cooking is dangerous since the material may accidentally catch fire. Furthermore, since stoves are generally quiet, it is simple to forget that a burner is on after food is prepared, which is dangerous for a senior. Make certain that your loved one constantly double-checks that all burners are switched off after cooking. Some seniors may be a danger to themselves, and if that is the case, senior home care is there to help.
Always Encourage Them to Watch for Hot Surfaces
It might be challenging to know when an electric stove is on or if it is hot. If you know you just used the stove, remind your loved one that it is on. Similarly, it might be difficult to discern by sight if a panhandle, plate, or utensil is hot, so assist your loved one in preventing unintentional burns by quickly checking the temperature of the metal.
Not every adult child can be there for their elderly loved one, and that is okay. You may have a full-time career, kids of your own, or you may not even be in the same state. It is possible to still provide care for your loved one, but you will need to hire senior home care to help. Through this professional, you will always know that your loved one is being watched and can stay independent for much longer.
