Home Care in DeWitt MI
As a family caregiver, one of your most important priorities is making sure that your aging parent stays safe and healthy throughout their later years. One of the greatest risks that older adults face is fire in their home. Elderly adults are at a dramatically increased risk of suffering injury or death associated with a fire than other members of the population. This is often due to cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges and limitations that cause them to make dangerous decisions or that keep them from responding effectively to potentially dangerous situations. Fortunately there are simple ways that you can help them to reduce their risk of fire in their home.
Use these tips to help prevent fires in your parent’s kitchen:
• Never leave food unattended. If there is food cooking, there should always be someone present, awake, and attentive. The only exception to this is when using a slow cooker that is in good condition and that has never shown any signs of malfunction.
• Move potholders. It might seem logical to keep potholders, oven mitts, or cloths close to the oven so that they are usable. If they are kept too close to the stove, however, they could pose a fire risk. Make sure that these flammable items, as well as any others such as curtains or napkins, are kept away from all heating sources such as stoves, ovens, toasters, hot plates, and other appliances.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Invest in a fire extinguisher to put in your aging parent’s kitchen. Make sure that it is kept easily accessible but not near any heat source. Ensure that you as well as your aging parent are properly trained to use the extinguisher correctly and effectively, and to know when they should use them.
• Disconnect heat sources. If your elderly parent is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia they may not be able to understand the risk of fire associated with heat sources in the kitchen. If you are concerned about their safety, consider disconnecting the stove and oven so that they are not able to turn it on and forget about it, possibly causing a fire.
Starting elder care for your aging parent can be one of the best decisions that you can make to help them stay safer as they age in place. An elderly home care services provider can be with your aging parent to help ensure that they are making safe decisions that will prevent fires, and that their challenges and limitations do not put them at increased risk of fire. This is especially important if your aging parent is suffering from issues such as Alzheimer’s disease, other forms of dementia, or physical issues that keep them from moving effectively. A care provider can ensure that even if your aging parent does experience a fire in their home, they have a better chance of handling it safely and effectively. This can give you peace of mind that even if you are not able to be with them, they are still in good hands.
Source
http://nfa.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v14i9.pdf
http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Avoid-Kitchen-Fires-Use-Red-Cross-Tips
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in DeWitt, MI, please contact the caring staff at Seniors Helping Seniors of Lansing. Call today: 517-332-9953.