Preventing falls is something all seniors and their families are concerned about. Seniors aging in place have a high risk of falling, and according to statistics, 1 in 5 seniors fall in their homes every year. Falls can cause a wide range of injuries and sometimes, even death. Many of those injuries can be very serious like broken bones or torn muscles. However, home care assistance can help seniors with fall prevention, especially in high traffic areas of the home such as the kitchen.
With some home care assistance, seniors don’t have to struggle with difficult household tasks. Seniors can slip and trip on various things, including spills. They also may lose their balance and fall reaching up to a cabinet or trying to put something away in the fridge. Here are some tips to help make their kitchen safer.
Saddle Stool
A saddle stool is a small stool that has a wide seat shaped like a saddle that goes on a horse. It typically sets low but can be adjusted to a taller height that can make it possible for seniors to reach counters. A saddle stool is easy to sit on and get up from, and it has a low wide base with wheels. So seniors could use it to wheel themselves safely around the kitchen. When seniors are getting things out of the fridge or washing dishes they can sit on the stool. Being able to sit to do kitchen chores and meal preparation can help seniors avoid falls.
Rolling Cart
A small rolling utility cart is another item that be a safety tool for seniors. When senior are getting meals ready they can wheel the cart to the pantry or fridge. Then they can fill it with everything they are going to need. All they have to do after that is wheel it to the counter and they will have everything they need.
They won’t need to make multiple trips back and forth to get ingredients. When they are putting away dishes, pots and pans, or heavy things like jugs of milk they can place the item in the cart. That way they don’t need to carry heavy or awkward items and risk falling.
Gadget Garage
A gadget garage may require a little DIY on a kitchen counter but it’s a fantastic tool for seniors. Basically, a gadget garage is a hidden cabinet that sits on the counter and holds gadgets like the coffee maker, the air fryer, and the toaster oven. Seniors can just pull them out when they need them and slide them back when they’re done. It prevents falls because seniors don’t have to bend over to take heavy gadgets out of a cabinet. Everything is right there on the counter but hidden behind a handy cabinet door out of sight.
Anti-Slip Floor Coating
No matter what type of flooring your senior parent’s kitchen has there is anti-slip floor coating that can be safely applied to it. The coating won’t damage the floor but it will help seniors from slipping and falling on the floor.
Providing exceptional Home Care Assistance for seniors and families in the Northern Virginia area, including Arlington, Alexandria, McLean, Reston, Burke, Ashburn, Centreville, Springfield, Manassas, and Oakton. Call today to speak with our caring staff: (703) 272-8838.
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