| Kitchen and Dining Room Tips | | 
The Kitchen
floor
cupboards
cooking
mealtime
physical and memory limitations
The Dining Room
table
chairs
floor
The Kitchen
The floor
Look out for throw rugs!
They look nice and a lot of people have them but they are so easy to trip over. We recommend that you remove throw rugs, or at the very least, adhere rubber material to the back of them to keep them in place. Make sure the rubber material is large enough for the rug so the edges stay down as well.
Slippery floors.
Floors that are highly waxed or wet are slippery. Also, socks and slippers can be dangerous on vinyl flooring.
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The cupboards
Rearrange cupboards.
Keep the items most often used in reach by rearranging the cupboards. Store things rarely used on higher shelves and the things used most often on the first shelf. (before and after pictures)
Make use of the counter top.
It is most helpful if you can keep the frequently used appliances, dishes, pots and pans between waist and eye level to avoid reaching and bending. Make use of the countertop to store some of these things. (PICTURE)
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Cooking
Many people enjoy cooking and consider it as part of day-to-day life. It might not even occur to them that someday they might not be able to or that it could even become dangerous.
The Stove.
Accidents Happen. If your loved one has poor cognition (memory), the risk of forgetting to turn off the stove could be fatal. Physical limitations and poor vision also increase risk of an accidents happening in the kitchen. Remind your loved one to never cook while wearing loose clothing (such as bathrobes, loose sleeves, etc.) as they could easily catch fire.
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Meal time
Nutrition:
If your loved one is having trouble preparing meals, it is possible that they are not eating properly. Elderly persons with poor nutrition have more health complications, increased healthcare costs, and their body is not able to heal as quickly from injuries or illness which makes for longer hospital and other "subacute" facility (nursing home) stays.
Difficulty eating.
If you notice your loved one having difficulty swallowing, a lot of coughing or that your loved one has lost weight, be sure to notify the physician. See Staying Healthy for more information.
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Physical and Memory Limitations
Some ideas/suggestions you could try:
For physical limitations
make sure the kitchen is arranged so your loved one is able to access the items they need without a lot of bending or reaching. We do NOT recommend any step stools. (see cupboards)
an electric can opener is easier on the hands and wrists than the manual can openers.
use rubber grip cloths to open jars. There are also devices that can be anchored under the cupboards that one can put the jar lid into and turn the jar.
make use of other assistive devices that can be purchased at your local home medical equipment stores.
help your loved on |
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