Keeping your aging parent safe and healthy are two of your most important priorities in your role as a family caregiver. While there are many things that you can do to ensure you are accomplishing this goal, preventing accidents within the home is one of the most important. The majority of serious accidents occur within the home, burns being some of the most severe. Elderly adults tend to be more vulnerable to serious burns than younger people due to issues such as cognitive functioning decline and mobility issues. It is important to take steps to reduce the risk of these burns so that your parent does not suffer from potentially devastating consequences related to them. One place where burns tend to be particularly common in the kitchen.

Use these tips to protect your senior from burns in their kitchen:

Replace old coffeemakers

Older model coffeemakers that require you to make an entire pot of coffee can be very dangerous for elderly adults. Lifting a pot can be strenuous for a senior with flexibility and strength problems in their hands, and it can be especially dangerous for an elderly adult in a wheelchair. This can cause them to drop the coffee, leading to serious burns. Replace these makers with one cup coffeemakers.

Use burner covers

Burner covers allow you to place a ceramic piece over a burner that has recently been used to prevent someone from accidentally touching it without realizing that it is still hot. Get into the habit of leaving these covers on at all times that the burners are not in use. Also, consider cooking on the back burners of the stove, if possible.

Keep oven mitts easily accessible

Keep oven mitts or pot holders close by the oven to encourage their consistent use and as a reminder of the high temperature in the oven.

Consider disconnecting the heat

If your elderly parent has been suffering from cognitive functioning decline and you have noticed that they have left the oven or stove on, or there has been a food-related fire, consider disconnecting these appliances. This will prevent them from making these mistakes.

Mark the hot water

Put a piece of red tape or another identifier on the hot water handle to identify this potential danger.

Starting elderly care for your aging parent can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them and for yourself as their family caregiver. An elderly home care services provider can be with your parent on a customized schedule that is ideal not just for their needs but also for your care efforts. This means that they can receive the care, support, assistance, and companionship that will help them to be happy, safe, healthy, and comfortable both when you are able to be with them and when you are not.

The highly personalized services of this care provider can be valuable for helping them to manage their challenges, limitations, and needs, but can also help them to maintain more mental and emotional health, independence, and fulfillment throughout their later years. As a family caregiver, knowing that your aging parent has the care of this type of care provider can ease your stress and enable you to focus more energy and attention on other obligations and needs in your life without worrying that your parent is not getting everything that they need.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Dallas, TX, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands of Preston Hollow today at (214) 760-6944.