In-Home Care Guide: How to Reorganize the Kitchen

As our parents, grandparents, and other family members and friends age, their ability and desire to use all the items in their kitchen may decrease. Part of taking responsibility for the safety of a senior is editing the house and making the necessary changes that will support, rather than hinder, a loved one's current abilities, and the quality of their potential future, in mind.

There are things that can be done that will benefit all seniors and there are special things that you can do to encourage your loved one's current level of independence in the kitchen. If you feel unprepared for the task, there is supportive guidance out there that can lead you through the process.

Safe and Usable Kitchen

Most of us have a ton of unnecessary items in our kitchen. Tupperware lids without matching bowls, too many pieces of silverware in the drawer, and that huge breadmaker they only used a couple of times can clutter up the kitchen, making it confusing, aggravating, and even dangerous to someone who happens to be struggling with movement, cognition, and over-stimulation.

You can begin by decluttering the area and packing away duplicate or unnecessary items. It may even be helpful to reduce the number of plates, cups, etc. so that the dishes don't pile up as they are used instead of being washed. A large number of dirty dishes, especially if your loved one doesn't own a dishwasher, can be easily overwhelming and cause confusion.

There shouldn't be anything on the floor that could cause a fall and everything should be moved, if necessary, to safely reachable areas. Everything should be easy to find, easy to grab, and easy to use. You can go even further when you consider your loved one's diagnosis. 

Dementia

Dementia is a memory disorder that can prevent a person from completing tasks that contain multiple steps. Their vision usually worsens and organizational details may seem like a foreign language. Communication is a problem. Coordination, dexterity, and grip are diminished. Hallucinations, severe apathy, and dissociation can also occur, causing possible damage.

Dementia can occur on its own due to such things as injury, excessive alcohol use, or old age, but it is also one of the defining characteristics of both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases. Anyone with dementia as a diagnosis or a symptom needs help in the kitchen. They may need a hand shopping for food, putting it away, or cooking the meal. They may need someone to keep them on task and all the items they need should be easy to find.

Alzheimer's Disease

A person with Alzheimer's disease may have vision problems that alter their ability to judge distance, keep time, and forget the names of objects and places where they can be found. Labels are incredibly helpful. Label the fridge, stove, or microwave. Label what is behind any door, whether cabinet, drawer, or the entrance to a room. You may want to make special preparations if your loved one gets up at night or leaves the stove on when they become distracted.  

Parkinson's Disease

People with Parkinson's may suffer from tremors that prevent them from holding certain objects, such as a cup of water. Their limbs can stiffen, decreasing their ability to move. Their balance and coordination may progressively decline, increasing falls and the propensity to drop things. It may be a great idea to put up sharp knives and scissors; their tremors make using them dangerous.

Thick handles on specialized silverware are incredibly helpful to increase their grip and encourage them to eat independently. Break large bags or boxes of food into individual servings so that they are easier to handle. They may be losing the ability to communicate verbally. Flashcards specifically representing the items in that particular kitchen may help when they can't find the words to use.

Your loved one deserves to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible, until it becomes dangerous for them to do so. Preparing the kitchen according to their unique needs may just be the beginning of the changes you will have to make, but it is one of the most essential to address when it comes to safety.

Supportive and Personalized Care

Senior Helpers of Baltimore offers in-home caregiving and companionship to the communities of Baltimore, Annapolis, Columbia, Baltimore County, and Howard County, Maryland. We believe that our loved ones can and should stay in their homes as they age. Our mission is to work diligently and compassionately to improve your loved one's quality of life, while also taking some of the weight off your shoulders.

Contact us anytime to schedule your Free In-Home Assessment and we'll begin building an effective plan that will ensure your relative maintains as much independence as possible and allow you the time to make the memories you deserve to have.