Reach and Footing

The kitchen is a common place for falls, but you can reduce this risk by changing how items are stored. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises keeping often-used items on lower shelves, ideally around waist level. This prevents your loved one from stretching, reaching, or bending too far, which can throw off their balance.

When high shelves must be accessed, never let an older adult use a chair as a step stool. Instead, use a steady step stool equipped with a hand bar for support.

Floor safety is just as critical in the kitchen. Clear the walking paths around counters, islands, and tables. Remove all throw rugs, as they easily catch on shoes or walkers. If you must keep a rug, secure it with double-sided tape or ensure it has a heavy non-slip backing. Keep all objects off the floor. If you have appliances with long cords, coil them or tape them next to the wall to prevent tripping.

Having a doctor or pharmacist review your loved one’s medicines is also a good idea. Some medications cause sleepiness or dizziness, making a fall in the kitchen more likely. Encourage your relative to wear supportive shoes inside the house, rather than walking barefoot or wearing loose slippers.

Stove and Appliances

Cooking fires are a major risk for older adults, especially those experiencing cognitive changes. If your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, you must secure the cooking area. Follow these steps to reduce fire risks:

1. Swap standard devices for appliances with an automatic shut-off feature.
2. Install stove knob covers to prevent accidental ignition.
3. Remove the stove knobs entirely if your loved one wanders or forgets the stove is on.
4. Turn off the gas line when the stove is not actively in use.

You can read more about securing the home for dementia to protect your loved one. Always ensure smoke detectors are working properly and have fresh batteries. Keep any household cleaners or medications in a locked drawer or cabinet, well away from food prep areas. For someone in the middle stages of dementia, confusion about what is safe to eat or drink can lead to accidental poisoning.

If you need help keeping a loved one safe at home, New Century Home Care is here for you. Call 215-974-0000 or fill out our contact form by selecting “I am a client” and “I need services.”

Managing Kitchen Mobility

Physical conditions can drastically change how safely a person moves around the kitchen. If your loved one has Parkinson’s disease, they may experience freezing, where they feel stuck in place when starting a step or turning in a doorway. This raises their fall risk near tight kitchen counters.

Stroke survivors may face sudden numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, making it difficult to carry heavy pots or balance while standing at the sink. If you notice sudden trouble walking, loss of balance, or sudden confusion, call 911 right away. Do not drive the person to the hospital yourself.

For daily mobility challenges, consider setting up a resting station in or near the kitchen. A sturdy chair with armrests placed outside the immediate cooking zone allows your loved one to sit while chopping vegetables or resting between tasks.

Meals and Nutrition Help

When cooking becomes too difficult or dangerous, an in-home caregiver can step in. Under Pennsylvania law, preparing meals, shopping, and doing light housework are considered instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

A non-medical home care aide can provide homemaker services to help with regular meals. This includes planning meals, preparing food, and cleaning up the dishes afterward. Having someone else handle the cooking removes the burn and fire risks entirely.

For individuals enrolled in the Pennsylvania Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver program, Personal Assistance Services (PAS) can cover routine support like meal planning. Caregivers can also accompany the participant into the community for PAS purposes, such as grocery shopping or trips to the pharmacy.

Incidental homemaker tasks, like washing the dishes from meal prep, are also covered by the CHC waiver when no one else is available to do them. This support allows older adults to maintain a healthy diet without the physical risks of cooking. It also provides a watchful eye to ensure food is stored properly and eaten before it spoils.

Signs Cooking is No Longer Safe

Pay attention to the condition of the kitchen when you visit your relative. Burned pots, scorched dish towels, or a stove left on are clear warnings that cooking is no longer safe. You might also notice spoiled food in the refrigerator, expired pantry items, or a lack of fresh groceries.

These signs often indicate physical decline, vision problems, or early cognitive impairment. If you notice memory changes, talk to a doctor immediately to rule out underlying medical issues or get a proper diagnosis.

You can make the kitchen safer by unplugging dangerous appliances, such as old toasters or deep fryers, and storing them out of sight. Relying on a caregiver for meals offers an alternative that keeps your loved one nourished. For broader advice on fall prevention and living spaces, review our guide to senior home safety.

New Century Home Care provides non-medical assistance to help older adults live safely in Philadelphia and surrounding counties. Our office staff speaks English, Russian, and Ukrainian. Contact us today at 215-974-0000 or complete our online form, choosing “I am a client” and “I need services.”