It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home as family reunions often take place here. The same is true for older adults, who may look forward to having their children and grandchildren over for meals often. You may have noticed that as your loved one ages, cooking has become more dangerous for them. In this article, we share with you some kitchen safety tips you can follow to make cooking a safe experience for your loved one.
Eliminating Fire Hazards
One of the biggest hazards of being in a kitchen is the possibility of fires. Below are some ways you can reduce the chances of a fire happening:
- Ensure that your loved one rolls up their sleeves or only wear short-sleeved shirts while cooking. In addition, make sure that no tea towels are hanging over ovens or stovetops.
- Clean your kitchen’s ventilation system regularly to ensure it is clear.
- Install a smoke detector in your kitchen and make sure that it is working at all times.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and educate yourself on how to operate it. If possible, you may also wish to instruct your elderly loved ones on how they can use it when the need arises.
Reducing the Chances of Falls
After fires, falls are the next dangerous thing that can happen in a kitchen. Follow these top tips to reduce the chances of falling in the kitchen:
- Identify the ingredients and equipment your loved one uses most often and keep those within easy reach. This means that your loved one will not have to get a ladder or stool to reach higher shelves and increase their chances of falling.
- Install motion-sensitive lights that will help your loved ones find their way around when they enter the kitchen at night.
- Invest in non-skid shoes or slippers that should be worn when entering the kitchen.
Maintaining Food Safety
Food safety is essential when it comes to promoting overall health. Follow our suggestions below:
- Enable an automatic turn-off feature on the stove if your loved one tends to be forgetful.
- For any food items that don’t come with an expiry date, encourage your loved one to note down the date of purchase on the packaging with a marker.
Transition to Senior Assisted Living at Morada Quintessence
If you are worried about the safety of your loved one while aging in place alone, you may be considering senior assisted living to meet their needs and improve their quality of life. If so, Morada Quintessence is the place you are looking for. All our residents can benefit from three fresh chef-prepared meals each day and if they wish to cook from time to time, they can do so from the fully-equipped kitchenette in their apartment homes.
Keen to take the next step and transition to senior living, whether for yourself or your loved one? Schedule a tour of our modern campus today.
