|
Kitchen Comforts From Aged Care New Zealand Issue 2 2021 Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably  Preparing meals in a kitchen is not without peril, especially for older adults. What the majority of us take for granted can become dangerous for the elderly with heated surfaces, knives, heavy cookware and upscale electrical appliances that require some skill to operate. No matter how much one wants to protect an ageing person, independent living means that the senior will be cooking in the kitchen and using appliances. The kitchen is typically the hub of the home, and many seniors genuinely enjoy cooking. Taking that freedom away is often emotionally devastating. Taking intentional action to minimise the risk of accident or illness is not just common sense – for everyone's sake – and revisiting safety tips for the kitchen is never a waste of time. First off, the kitchen should have ample lighting, especially next to the stove, to keep seniors from tripping, spilling hot foods, or even adding the wrong ingredients to their recipes. Spillage Water is often a problem in the kitchen - possible issues include spilled water from the sink, leaking refrigerators and pipe leaks. Spilled water can make the kitchen floors slippery, so nonslip mats should be placed below the sink and in front of the oven – the areas where spills are most likely to occur. Clutter can also cause seniors to trip or accidently drop items, resulting in injury. Older adults should also make a habit of closing all drawers and cabinets after opening them to get items such as ingredients and utensils for creating their meals. If doors and drawers are left open, seniors can easily run into them and get painful bruises. Being careful with cookware When cooking, seniors need to remember to turn each pot handle so that they are not hanging over the edge of the stove and able to be bumped or tipped over. It is safest to use pans or pots with handles on both sides for cooking provided they are cautious about handles being heated by another burner. Ageing adults should also make sure oven mitts and potholders are easily accessible to prevent burns. Many new stove models also come equipped with a stove top light that lets a person know that the stove’s surface is too hot to safely touch.  Keep items within easy reach Ageing adults need to get out of the habit of climbing or standing on a chair in the kitchen to reach items, which could cause them to lose their balance and injure themselves. To prevent this, seniors should keep the kitchen items they use most often within easy reach. Also, they should store heavy items on a counter or at waist level, because bending over to get a heavy item on a lower shelf or grabbing something weighty from a higher one could cause a strained back. Thwart foodborne illness Ageing adults should take preventative measures to make sure the food they’re cooking is safe and won’t cause them to get sick. If a senior has poor vision or is just forgetful, they may ingest expired food. Eating food past its expiration date can be a hazard. When preparing meals, they should use different cutting boards for meat and other types of food. To make it less confusing, they can use a red cutting board for slicing meat and a green one for chopping vegetables. After a meal, seniors should also put any leftovers in sealed containers and refrigerate immediately. Bug infestations Seniors who have a lot of clutter or food lying around may experience ants, rodents, roaches or other insects that can contaminate food. They can cause seniors to get sick if not taken care of properly. Prevent fires Kitchen fires are a common occurrence in homes occupied by elderly residents. Seniors are often forgetful and may leave the stove on. Fire can also accidently erupt if a dishcloth or paper towel inadvertently touches a hot burner. It’s a good idea to have an oven or stove shutoff switch installed, which turns off the appliance if it’s left unattended. Installing a shutoff can avert an accidental fire. A warning will also be sent to a friend or family member if the oven is left unattended for too long. Seniors should also consider installing a lifesaving monitored smoke detector in the kitchen that sounds an alarm and calls the local fire department. Microwaves do not pose the significant fire danger of a stove top. It is a relatively safe way for an ageing individual to quickly and efficiently cook an entire meal. However, above the stove microwaves can pose some threats. If a senior has to reach to get food out of the microwave, there is a higher risk of hot or heavy items falling on the senior. Kitchen aids Kitchen items that help a senior continue to live independently in a safe environment are an ideal addition to any person’s home during their golden years. Arthritis and ageing often make opening a jar difficult, if not impossible. A jar opener is a handy kitchen gadget that helps open jars without straining or hurting hands. A simple tool like this can help seniors feel more confident in the kitchen.  Kitchen aids
Kitchen items that help a senior continue to live independently in a safe environment are an ideal addition to any person’s home during their golden years. Arthritis and ageing often make opening a jar difficult, if not impossible. A jar opener is a handy kitchen gadget that helps open jars without straining or hurting hands. A simple tool like this can help seniors feel more confident in the kitchen. A senior can also sustain a severe cut from the metal lid of a can. However, there are can openers that open a can efficiently without leaving a sharp edge. This prevents seniors from accidently cutting themselves. Automatic openers can also help seniors with arthritis. For seniors who still want to prepare meals but have health conditions that make cooking alone unsafe, a professional caregiver can be a great resource. Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Many seniors love to use their kitchens and having the help of a professional caregiver can ensure they’re able to do so safely. When considering in-home care, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits. Ref: Aged Care New Zealand Issue 2 2021 Comments are closed.
|
AuthorShonagh O'Hagan Archives
October 2024
|
RSS Feed