In the Kitchen
Kitchen areas of any home or apartment often contribute to the most injuries because of ovens, stoves, microwaves, hot plates, or crock-pots, all of which may burn or otherwise harm a patient. The caregiver must determine the cognitive abilities of their loved one to ensure that the use of such equipment is safe under any circumstance.
In the homes of patients suffering from cognitive disabilities, cooking with flame can be a fire hazard. Food left on the stove too long may scorch and burn, and in some circumstances, catch fire. A can placed inside a microwave not only damages the microwave, but also may cause an explosion or injury. To ensure safety, the caregiver may cook foods in advance and then unplug or otherwise disable such appliances to prevent injury. Avoid keeping step stools or small ladders in the kitchen area in order to prevent falls and injuries.
For patients with vision difficulties, brightly colored plates, drinking cups, placemats and napkins will often help alleviate the embarrassment and difficulty in choosing the right utensils for eating. "Caregivers need to understand that it's the same person as before, but because of the complexity of the process of eating, the person may be confused and embarrasses, and thus refuse to participate," says occupational therapist and founding editor of Alzheimer's Care Quarterly, Carol Bowlby Sifton.