The last week of August is National Safe at Home Week, which makes it the perfect time to take a fresh look at your loved one’s home—especially if they are still living on their own. For many families, this review goes hand-in-hand with home care support, ensuring a loved one’s home is not only comfortable but also as safe as possible. Independence is a wonderful thing, but it’s natural to worry about potential hazards, particularly in the kitchen. From sharp utensils to slippery floors, an everyday kitchen can quickly become a risky place for someone who may have difficulty managing certain tasks.
The goal isn’t to ban kitchen activities altogether. Instead, it’s about making thoughtful adjustments that allow your loved one to keep enjoying their space without unnecessary risks. That might mean rearranging where items are stored, adding safety tools, or removing objects that could cause harm. While some changes may take time to get used to, they ultimately make the kitchen a place where your loved one can cook, create, and feel confident—while you can breathe a little easier knowing they’re safe.
Here are five easy decluttering steps to take to keep your senior safe in his kitchen:
- Drawers. Years of living in one place can mean there are a lot of things around that your loved one no longer needs in the kitchen. Does he have a drawer with a dozen loose knives that he could cut himself on? Clean out that drawer and place any sharp implements in a container where the blade is covered and can’t harm him. Toss all broken, dull, and unsafe utensils.
- Cabinets. Overflowing cabinets can lead to items falling out and not only breaking or spilling but also injuring your loved one. Take inventory of what he needs (which probably isn’t 25 coffee cups), and help him reduce it down to only what he needs.
- Counters. A crowded counter is a haven for dirt, debris, and germs to flourish. Without so much stuff on the counter, it’ll be easier to clean and maintain. If your loved one has appliances that he rarely uses, put them away in storage until the time comes to use them, so they don’t clutter up his counters.
- Storage. Look to store commonly used items within arm’s reach so your loved one doesn’t have to climb a step stool or onto a chair to reach what he needs. Label items clearly so he doesn’t need to dig around to find what he’s looking for.
- Fridge. Even the fridge can benefit from decluttering. Make sure expired sauces, condiments, and other food items are regularly tossed out to prevent a foodborne illness from occurring.
Getting Help in the Kitchen
If your loved one is at a stage where preparing his own meals and cleaning up afterward has become a more difficult chore for him to manage, a home care agency can help him reduce his stress about kitchen care by providing home care workers who will help him in the areas he needs it. Home care providers can help with not only cleaning up the kitchen, such as doing the dishes or cleaning the counters, they can also help your loved one prepare healthy meals and examine his refrigerator for expired food that needs to be tossed. With a little help from a home care team, the kitchen can be a safe and welcoming place for your elderly loved one again.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Kalamazoo, MI, please contact the caring staff at Fresh Perspective Home Care today. Call (269) 329-4717.
Fresh Perspective Home Care is a trusted non-medical senior home care provider in Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, Richland, Vicksburg, Schoolcraft, Three Rivers, Gull Lake, Yorkville and Otsego, Michigan.
