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Cooking can be an enjoyable lifelong experience, especially as people age. This gives seniors a sense of purpose, family bonding, and control over their environment. Cooking tasks stimulate the brain by utilizing mental skills like problem-solving, math, time management, budgeting, planning, and organizational skills. Kneading dough and stirring also stimulate the brain and provide physical activity.
Sometimes, aging parents or grandparents occasionally burn the cookies, accidentally add salt instead of sugar into a recipe, or forget to add certain ingredients. How long has that macaroni and cheese been in the back of the refrigerator? That, in fact, can happen at any age.
However, did Mom put the lettuce in the cupboard or the keys in the refrigerator? Did she leave her potato salad or fried rice on the counter overnight? Did anyone forget to shut off the oven or stove? Or forget to run the dishwasher and put the dirty dishes in the cupboard? Once you realize the occasional “senior moments” in the kitchen have become genuine hazards due to cognitive decline, you must take action.
Someone you care about might be unable to prepare their own meals, yet they might still be in denial. Or, at the very least, holding onto their last bit of independence. For some, the loss of independence can be one of the most devastating parts of aging.
So, how can we help dementia patients stay safer in the kitchen? First, do a thorough inventory of the kitchen.
CHECK THE COUNTERTOPS:
Declutter the countertops and wipe away any debris or spills. Get rid of knife blocks and appliances like food processors or blenders that contain sharp blades. Pressure cookers and Instant Pots can cause serious injuries if not used properly.
CUPBOARDS:
Remove large, heavy cookware like stock pots, large cast iron pans, Dutch ovens, and oversized cutting boards.
Place lightweight items in the cupboards and keep a long-handled grabbing device in an easily accessible location.
POISON CONTROL:
Store chemicals out of reach or in a locked cabinet. Even some plant-based and all-natural cleaning products can be dangerous.
Keep the poison control contact information posted where you can easily find it.
HRSA Poison Help Line
1-800-222-1222
REMOVE CUTTING HAZARDS:
Replace glass or ceramic items with plastic or silicone. Rid the drawers of knives, mandoline slicers, and any other small items that can cause serious cuts. Almost any type of knife or appliance with blades can be dangerous for patients with advanced dementia, even so-called safety knives. However, the following kitchen tools offer safer alternatives for those who are still capable of preparing their own meals.
* Smooth edge can opener
* Finger guard
* Plastic avocado tools
* Hand-press food chopper
* Cut-resistant gloves
PROTECT AGAINST BURNS:
* Heat protective oven gloves
* Silicone pot or pan handle covers
CLEANLINESS:
Clutter attracts dust and makes surfaces like countertops harder to keep clean. Unclean surfaces, cookware, and appliances are breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. Learn to recognize the signs of pest infestation, like droppings in the home or holes in packaged food. Preparing and serving food on unwashed dishes can make people sick.
Maintaining cleanliness helps remove bacteria that can cause serious illness. Keep fingernail brushes near the kitchen sink and an automatic touchless liquid soap dispenser within easy reach.
FOOD POISONING:
Do your loved ones forget to throw away expired food? Did they serve undercooked chicken or forget to cook it at all? Check for signs of spoilage like foul odors, puffy canned goods, or an “off” appearance.
If you help shop for groceries, apply dissolvable write-on labels and list the date opened and recommended discard date (https://www.avery.com/products/labels/4224).
KITCHEN SAFETY PRODUCTS:
Protect against gas and propane leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning. Test the batteries of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors regularly. Install gas guards and shut-off devices on stoves or replace gas stoves and ovens with electric models if possible. Replace non-stick cookware with stainless steel, carbon steel, or ceramic-coated pans.
Some kitchen safety products include:
* Fire extinguishers
* Anti-scald faucet devices
* Fridge locks
* Cabinet locks
* Outlet plug covers
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