Seniors and Kitchen Safety: Tips for the “Heart of the Home”

Senior Health  |  November 13, 2020

What Every Senior in Edmonton, AB Needs to Know About Kitchen Safety Tips

Seniors and Kitchen Safety | A kitchen is often the central gathering place in the home. Family dinners, special occasions, and time shared all happen in the heart of the home. Making sure the kitchen is a safe, happy place is important. Daily, many of us spend time in our kitchens, and it is easy to forget that the kitchen can be a place where dangerous accidents are not uncommon – especially for seniors. 

Seniors and Kitchen Safety and Potential Issues:

• The National Fire Protection Association reports that three (3) in ten (10) home fires start in the kitchen, more than any other room in the house.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 76 million cases of foodborne illness occur each year, including 5,000 fatal cases. Older adults, due to a natural decrease in their immune systems, can succumb to food poisoning more easily and have a harder time fighting it off if they do.
• Kitchens are also areas with high fall-risk areas: items stored out of reach, slippery floors, and the likelihood that meals are carried to eat in another room.  
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that people over the age of 65 have a 2.7 times greater risk of dying in a kitchen fire than the general population.

Seniors and Kitchen Safety

For those who want to ensure that the kitchen is as safe as possible for their senior loved ones, there are three key areas to consider:

• Fire prevention and safety – The primary cause of kitchen fires is unattended food – seniors should never leave the kitchen when food is cooking. Automatic shut-off devices are a great tool to help seniors who have memory issues but like to spend time cooking. Loose clothing, kitchen towels, and potholders can all catch fire if too close to the stove, so it is good to be mindful about fabric near flames. And, regularly, a qualified electrician should check wiring and outlets to ensure safety compliance – this is a common cause of fires in older homes.
• Foodborne illness prevention – Because of the ways our bodies change when we get older, foodborne illness can become a much more serious issue. This can be prevented by properly storing food, checking fridge temperatures often, properly reheating food, cleaning old items out of the fridge and pantry often, and checking expiration dates.
• Reduce fall risks – When seniors need to reach an item, whether stored too high or too low, it can cause a balance issue that may lead to a fall. Keeping cooking items within reach is critical. Clutter on counters should be removed, bright lights are helpful, and the heaviest objects should be stored at waist level. 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 kitchen floors slippery, so adding mats and checking water sources often is important.

The kitchen can be a joyful place in the home, with intentional action to minimize the risk of accident or illness. Being safe in the kitchen is not just common sense – and revisiting safety tips for the kitchen is never a waste of time.

About one-quarter of Americans over age 65 need help with everyday activities such as eating, cooking, and getting in and out of bed or a chair. 

Comfort Keepers® in Edmonton Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help. Comfort Keepers®’ trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. 

Companionship and Interactive Caregiving™

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Moreover, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind: empathy. Empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. 

Learn more about our unique service offering by contacting the Comfort Keepers Edmonton office. If you live in Devon, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, or Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact Comfort Keepers at 780-465-4665.

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is an Approved Service Provider for the Client Directed Homecare Invoicing Program Offered by Alberta Health Services. Is Invoicing the Right Option for You?  Read more about the program HERE.

Comfort Keepers Edmonton is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible. Awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. Our Edmonton location has achieved the highest available certification in Canada for Home Care services, clearly demonstrating Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton.

REFERENCES:

Food and Drug Administration. “Food Safety for Older Adults.” Web. 2011.
Aging Care “Kitchen Fires: Make Cooking Safer for Seniors” Web. 2012.
The National Fire Protection Association. “Serve Up Safety in the Kitchen.” Web. 2020.
U.S. Fire Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Fire Safety for Seniors.” Web. 2020.
Caring.com. “Making the Kitchen Safe and Convenient for Seniors.” Web.

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