Kitchen Safety for Parents

Hats left in the microwave, oven’s turned on and never turned off, food forgotten and left burning on the stove — these are some of the experiences we had when our mothers began to exhibit signs of dementia. Last week we spoke about the concern many experience with regard to depression that may come to our elderly parents. Today, we will take a few minutes to discuss how to keep our parents safe in the kitchen, when they begin to show signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

According to Care2, there are several immediate safety measures that can be taken such as turning off the stove so it can no longer be used, or taking off the knobs on a stove. Unplugging the microwave may become necessary, as, in some extreme measures, locking the refrigerator. The latter would be done because the parent may not be able to distinguish between a food that is fresh, and one that has long expired, or food that is cooked or raw.

Some other suggestions are:

Remove spices or medicines from the counter tops and keep cleaning supplies in a locked place.

Remove scissors and knives from counter tops and drawers. The parent may hurt himself or others with these dangerous items.

Remove all items that cause confusion.

Disguise the garbage disposal switches.

Put all the garbage out of sight.

Put labels on the cabinets.

Install a shut-off valve (for a gas stove) or a circuit breaker for an electric stove so you can disable it when you leave the kitchen.

Remove burner knobs and tape the stems or install knob covers.

Use a lock-out switch on the electric range so it can’t be turned on except by you.

Use an aluminum cover over the top of the stove, or use burner covers.

Replace the pilot on a gas stove with an electric starter.

Lock the oven door.

Use safety latches on doors and cabinets.

Install gates, door, or dutch doors so the kitchen can be closed off but you can still see and be seen.

Install an automatic turn-off on the faucet.

Install a governor on the hot water faucet (or turn down the valve under the sink) to control the amount of water that can be used.

For a faucet spout that swings outside the sink itself, install a brace that keeps water in the sink at all times.

Hide or get rid of dangerous small appliances.

Turn off appliances by unplugging them, turning off circuit breakers, or removing fuses. Install smoke detectors (but not near the stove).

Use an electric teakettle that has an automatic shutoff.

Use a single-lever faucet that can balance water temperature.

Provide an area away from the knife drawer and the stove where the person in your care can help prepare food.

Ask the gas company to modify your stove to provide a gas odor that is strong enough to alert you if the pilot light goes out.

Provide a step stool, never a chair, to reach high shelves.

Of course, these are only suggestions—and you may have others to share with us. There are other options of course, such as a live-in companion for the parent, or moving the parent to assisted living. Whatever you choose for your parent, the important thing is to keep them safe. We hope that this helps.