I can understand why you'd be freaked out by the idea of someone with visual impairment using the stove, but I agree with FF - blind people do cook, and enjoy it, and do it well.
So have there been actual, dangerous problems arising, or might it be better to look for ways to help your mother continue to enjoy cooking safely?
Some stoves have electrical ignition. Unplug it. Gas stoves have a supply valve shut off. Do it. Microwave... get an oldie at Goodwill with a time dial, no buttons. Too confusing. Post a huge fluorescent sign in front of it saying NO METAL IN HERE. Winnies and eggs EXPLODE. I would feel more comfortable with a crock pot, keeping what food needs to be warm. Better safe than sorry!
I would have suggested disabling it as well, but get her a microwave oven and work with her so she can learn to use it while you're gone. But take away metal pans, or hide them, or provide paper plates or other appropriately microwaveable items.
vicpie, blind people use their stoves all the time. My Mom learned her way around the kitchen with her macular degeneration and she was in her 90's and could barely see, but still was able to make breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mom wouldn't let Dad into the cabinets or refrigerator as she remembered where she had placed everything. She was like the Flash whenever we brought over the groceries, she wanted to put things away before my Dad got his hands on the items :)
Unless your Mom has been careless in the kitchen in regard to the stove, let her keep using it.
If all she has is vision loss why can't she use the stove? My mom lived alone with macular degeneration for 15 years. If the real problem is that she is becoming forgetful and confused then you will soon no longer be able to leave her alone, but in the meantime disabling the stove is a good idea.
Can you disable the stove? If it an electric stove, you can either unplug it or trip the circuit it is on. A gas stove may be a bit more tricky, but there should be a shut-off somewhere on the gas line.
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So have there been actual, dangerous problems arising, or might it be better to look for ways to help your mother continue to enjoy cooking safely?
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Gas stoves have a supply valve shut off. Do it.
Microwave... get an oldie at Goodwill with a time dial, no buttons. Too confusing.
Post a huge fluorescent sign in front of it saying NO METAL IN HERE.
Winnies and eggs EXPLODE.
I would feel more comfortable with a crock pot, keeping what food needs to be warm.
Better safe than sorry!
Mom wouldn't let Dad into the cabinets or refrigerator as she remembered where she had placed everything. She was like the Flash whenever we brought over the groceries, she wanted to put things away before my Dad got his hands on the items :)
Unless your Mom has been careless in the kitchen in regard to the stove, let her keep using it.