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How to choose a home care provider

by Kylie Johnson
written by Kylie Johnson

1. Write down all the care services needed

Start by making a complete list of all the tasks you or your loved one needs help with. Once you have this list, you can decide whether you need one provider or a few with different specialties.

2. Screen over the phone first

Next, call the companies that advertise the services you need and confirm that their employees can do everything needed. Use the list of questions from Eldercare.gov to ensure your loved one will receive quality care.

3. Interview in the resident’s home

If a provider meets your standards after talking to them on the phone, have an in-home interview with the people who will work with your loved one. Make sure you and the care recipient feel comfortable and confident.

4. Call the provider’s references

Anyone who will be working in your loved one’s home should be willing to give you a list of references, including current clients. Call these people to learn more about the provider and ensure they’re someone you want to hire.

5. Run a background check

Run a background check on each individual who will be helping your loved one in their home.

Article from ConsumerAffairs.com

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Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care
Caregiving

Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

When someone you love requires senior care, it’s important that they receive care from a provider who puts seniors first. The sudden boom in America’s elderly population has made senior care one of America’s most lucrative industries. While many owners of senior care agencies and facilities are getting into the industry for the right reasons, too many others only see dollar signs. Instead of putting seniors first, they’re prioritizing the bottom line. Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care
At Visiting Angels®, we’ve been focused on seniors’ well-being for more than twenty years and have become one of the most trusted names in the senior care industry. We know that a profit-first approach to senior care is not the right answer. What’s more, we believe in giving families the information they need to find trustworthy care for their loved ones.
Here’s why. As a business-owner, the bottom line is always a concern. There’s a simple reason. If you’re losing money, you can’t stay in business. And if you can’t stay in business, you can’t provide care to the seniors who need your support. But if maximizing profits is a bigger priority than optimizing quality of care, that’s a problem.
Nothing has underscored this more clearly than a New York Times report on American nursing homes published this January. Reporters discovered heartbreaking stories of malpractice and mistreatment in a series of nursing homes engaged in shady business practices. It turned out that the owners were buying services and supplies from companies they owned separately from their nursing homes. By making these purchases at artificially high prices, the owners were able to mask how much money they were actually making.
Thankfully, these transactions are unlikely to occur in the at home care industry.

Choosing a Trustworthy Senior Care Provider

The good news is that there are still senior care agencies and facilities that put seniors first instead of focusing solely on profits. Here are a few tips on how to steer clear of senior care agencies and nursing facilities that put profits ahead of the seniors in their care.

  • During your initial consultations with care providers, gauge how flexible they are with regards to your loved one’s care concerns, personal preferences, and scheduling requests. High-quality providers understand the unique needs of their clients and customize their services accordingly.
  • If possible, research their reputation within the community. A quality provider will happily provide references from past clients. Online reviews can be an excellent resource, particularly for well-established agencies and care facilities.
  • When a provider is part of a national brand, pay close attention to the wider reputation of that brand. Different brands hold their locations to different standards and operate according to different values. Trusted names, like Visiting Angels, are trusted for a reason.

For home care services that put seniors first, contact your local Visiting Angels. Call 800-365-4189 or contact your local office to get detailed information on our senior care services or to schedule a free in-home consultation with your local director.

Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care

Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care Steering Clear of Profit-First Senior Care
 

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Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay
Caregiving

Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

One of the most challenging experiences for seniors and caregivers can be managing the recovery process after a hospital stay. Often, it’s not the hospitalization that is most difficult, but the specialized follow-up care that many seniors require to avoid complications or readmission into the hospital.

This follow-up care, called post-acute care, is one of the most important parts of the recovery process. It’s also one of the most misunderstood and difficult to navigate parts of our healthcare system. Seniors who receive high-quality post-acute care after an injury or illness experience better, faster recoveries and have lower out-of-pocket healthcare. Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay

Usually, your healthcare provider will inform you of the follow-up care you or your loved one will need upon admission to the hospital. Sometimes, however, you may not find out what services are needed until it’s time to leave the hospital. For these time-constrained and stressful situations, it’s important that you make an informed decision for optimal recovery. Patients are often assigned a case manager who can guide you through the post-acute care process and coordinate recovery as you or your loved one transitions from the hospital back to their home. The case manager can be a great resource to discuss post-acute care options.

To ensure that you select the best post-acute care for your condition, it’s important to understand the different options and identify what best suits your personal needs. There are four main types of post-acute care – each provides unique services in different settings.

4 Types of Acute Care:

  1. Home health care agencies send medical professionals to patients’ homes to receive skilled nursing and rehabilitation services without having to go to a separate facility. Common services provided through home health care are wound care, physical therapy, and help with medicines, such as injections.
  2. Skilled nursing facilities are residential healthcare facilities for patients who no longer need to be in a hospital but who require a higher level of medical care than can be provided at home. Common services provided include physical/occupational rehabilitation, speech and language therapy, and complex wound care.
  3. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities are residential healthcare locations that provide intensive hospital-level care for patients with complex conditions such as spinal cord diseases or traumatic brain injuries. Common services provided through inpatient rehabilitation facilities include intensive physical therapy and stroke rehabilitation.
  4. Long term care hospitals offer the same level of round-the-clock care as traditional hospitals or intensive care units, but over a longer period of time (usually a month). Common services provided at long term care hospitals include ventilator care, intravenous therapy, and dialysis.

 

After determining the type of post-acute care provider best fits your needs, there are some other important factors to consider before making a decision.

  • Meet with a medical professional to understand medical needs and determine the best post-acute care options. If you have a specific medical condition (diabetes, chronic disease, Alzheimer’s), you can narrow down your search based on specialty services offered through the provider.
  • Verify insurance coverage to make sure that the post-acute care facility is within your insurance network and that the treatment is covered under the insurance policy.
  • When evaluating healthcare providers, it’s important to compare Medicare quality data and other key information such as patient/family reviews and health inspection reports.
  • Talk to staff members at the provider to discuss patient care plans, how patient needs will be addressed, and how they handle different situations. If possible, visit the location and talk to current employees and residents about their experiences. Evaluate the facility’s cleanliness, amenity options, and medical specializations.

 

Navigating follow-up care is a challenging and emotional process, especially for seniors who have just gone through a major medical operation or hospitalization. If you’re a caregiver or family member supporting your loved one in the transition, be patient and understanding throughout the decision-making process. There are many online communities and discussion forums to find out more about post-acute care and learn from others’ experiences to make the most of the recovery journey. Remember, leaving the hospital is just the first part of the road to a happy and healthy recovery!

Ryan Miller is a recovering healthcare policy wonk and co-founder of repisodic, a health technology company that helps seniors, families, caregivers and healthcare professionals find the highest quality, personalized post-acute care. He was previously Director of Policy and Strategy for Siemens Healthcare, one of the largest medical device companies the world, but now enjoys building up and providing free profiles of health providers as well as guides and articles on a variety of senior healthcare topics. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife and dog. www.repisodic.com

Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay

Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay Post-Acute Care Advice after a Hospital Stay

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Caregiving

Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home vs. Home Care

by Kylie Johnson
written by Kylie Johnson

How to choose the right living situation for your aging parent

You have to consider several factors (finances, health care needs and preferences) when choosing where your aging loved one should live. Although seniors have many different living options, most people choose an assisted living facility, a nursing home or in-home care.

Before making any decision about where your loved one should live, talk to them. Find out what they want their daily life to look like and what would make them happiest. Their ideal situation (retiring to Hawaii, for example) might not be feasible, but having an honest conversation about their preferences will reassure your loved one they still have control over their life. Research shows people are more likely to be happy with their surroundings in a care facility if they had some control in the decision to move there.

After talking to your loved one about their preferences, you can make a decision together based on the types and costs of the services your loved one needs.

Compare senior housing options

Choosing a place to live should be a two-sided conversation. First, consider the services your loved one needs and talk it over with them. You might disagree; for example, you might think mom needs someone to prepare meals for her because she’s started ordering a lot of takeout, but she might simply be tired of cooking after years of preparing meals for her family. Talking about needs helps ensure you don’t pay for unnecessary services.

Assisted living facilities

Types of assisted living services:

  • Help with self-care (bathing, grooming and dressing)
  • Meals
  • Transportation to doctor’s appointments
  • Housekeeping
  • Social activities
  • Fitness classes or programs
  • Emergency call system (similar to a medical alert system)
  • Medication monitoring
  • Minor health care services (checking and tracking vitals, assisting with oxygen tanks, prostheses or other self-administered medical devices)

 

Cost of assisted living: $40,000-$50,000 per year

Nursing homes

Types of nursing home services:

  • All services provided at an assisted living facility
  • Regular assessment by registered nurses (RNs) or doctors
  • Treatment for ongoing illnesses of all kinds
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Memory care (including architectural design, food choices and more) for dementia patients

 

Cost of nursing homes: $85,000-$95,000 per year

In-home care

Types of in-home care services:

  • Meal delivery
  • Help with self-care (bathing, grooming and dressing)
  • Medication monitoring
  • Minor health care services (checking and tracking vitals, assisting with oxygen tanks, prostheses or other self-administered medical devices)
  • Medical alert system
  • Periodic assessment by RNs
  • Housekeeping
  • Transportation
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Companionship

 

Cost of in-home care: $10-$30 per hour

Other considerations

The services your loved one needs and the cost of getting those services might be among the most complex factors in deciding between aging in place and moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home. However, you shouldn’t discount the following considerations:

Your capabilities
If you’ll be the primary caregiver, think about your capabilities. Ask yourself whether you can provide all the care they need, long term. It may be difficult to admit to yourself and your loved one that you can’t fully take care of them yourself, but doing so will be better for everyone in the long run.

If you and your loved one decide they should age in place or move in with you, remember to care for yourself too. Use respite care services when you need a break, join a support group for caregivers and consider talking to a counselor to get emotional support for yourself.

Location
Consider how far you live from your loved one and whether they’re willing to relocate to be close to you. If they live far away and don’t want to move to a new city, then a care facility might offer a safer environment simply because of the supervision it provides.

If your loved one lives near you and is moving to a facility, make sure distance won’t prevent you or other friends and relatives from visiting them regularly.

Community
Talk to your loved one about their social life. If they feel isolated or lonely, moving into a care facility might help them feel more connected since these facilities have regular social activities for residents.

If your loved one is highly involved with their existing community or social groups, discuss ways for them to remain involved, even if they move into a facility. Depending on the facility’s rules and your loved one’s health, they may be able to keep a car at the facility so they can drive themselves to social events. Depending on location, they could also use public transportation or a rideshare service to get around.

Centralized services
The more care your loved one needs, the more complicated their home care is for you to manage. For example, you may have to call separate providers for problems with housekeeping, meal services and healthcare. If all of these things were a problem while they were living in a care facility, you’d probably only have to contact one person. Having a centralized service may lessen the stress for both you and your loved ones.

If you and your loved one decide they should remain in their own home or live with you, consider hiring a geriatric care manager. These professionals can help you find qualified providers, understand health care costs and better address your loved one’s needs.

The future
It’s important to remember that as your loved one ages, they’ll need more advanced care. Your initial conversation on what arrangements they prefer is a good time to discuss long-term care if they get dementia or become otherwise incapable of making their own choices in the future.

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) have senior apartments, assisted living facilities and nursing homes all on the same property. If your loved one expects to eventually need nursing home care, moving into a senior apartment at a CCRC might make more sense than renovating their home to age in place.

Bottom line

Figuring out where someone you love should live as they grow older can be emotionally draining, and not knowing what’s going to happen often feels scary. Both you and your loved one will feel better when you make a choice together and proceed with your plan.

Whether you decide they should move into a care facility, move in with you or age in place, there are plenty of service providers to help you through the process. Once you have these services in place, your loved one can focus on being more social and enjoying their life.

by Jami Barnett, Ph.D.
ConsumerAffairs Research Team

Jami Barnett, Ph.D., is an experienced researcher, and she believes consumers have a right to clear and honest information about products. In her role at ConsumerAffairs, she thoroughly researches products and companies by interviewing experts, reviewing research studies, reading governmental regulations and investigating customer service responses. Her work gives consumers the information they need to make smart purchasing decisions.

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Caregiving

Resources to Help Caregivers

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Become a caregiver for a spouse or elderly parent can be overwhelming. From managing two households to overseeing or providing personal care, it can be difficult to reach out for help when you don’t know where to turn.

Whether you need help in the home or emotional support for you or your parent, reaching out can make a positive impact on your day-to-day life. These underutilized free or low cost resources are a great place to start in connecting with others and finding support on your caregiving journey. Resources to Help Caregivers

  1. Senior Centers: I am a huge fan of senior centers. In addition to all of the wonderful activities and classes they offer, your local senior center is an excellent resource for you as a caregiver. Did you know that you can purchase Taxi vouchers for seniors there (depending on availability in your city)? They can also help you with applications for other city or federal transportation or wellness services and provide referrals for services outside their scope. Many senior centers also provide tax help and computer training. This should definitely be one of your first stops in your caregiving journey.
  1. Your Local Hospital Website: Many hospitals offer classes, workshops or support groups tailored to specific medical conditions or general well-being. They are usually facilitated by doctors, nurses or social workers and are designed to help patients live a healthier, richer life, even when they deal with a chronic health condition. This is a great way to gain valuable information on living well or to learn how to better deal with medical challenges – everything from diabetes to Parkinson’s Disease. You will also have the opportunity to meet others living with the same condition.
  1. YMCA: I know, you’re thinking, wait, that’s a gym. You’re right, it is, but did you know that many YMCAs actually have senior programming? I know of three in my community that have special senior programs focusing on everything from life story writing, balance classes, healthy eating workshops and brain fitness classes. It’s not just about working out anymore, although, they also have fitness classes geared specifically towards seniors, including chair workouts, yoga and Tai Chi.
  1. Nonprofit Organizations: While these organizations are mainly known for their fundraising and treatment research, nonprofit groups such as the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association and Alzheimer’s Association do more than fund research. Many of them also provide support for families and patients, including workshops, support groups and actual help in the home. I have heard of nonprofits providing everything from home cleaning services to patients undergoing treatment to sending caregivers to the home to give the caregiver a break. You won’t know what is offered until you reach out.

The caregiving journey can be challenging. Between all of the tasks of helping your parent run their life to running your own life, it can become overwhelming. Just taking one small step at a time to reach out for help will make a huge difference.

Resources to Help Caregivers

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How to Prevent Agitation in Loved One with Dementia
Caregiving

How to Prevent Agitation in Loved One with Dementia

by Silverado
written by Silverado

 
A person with dementia can become agitated for a number of reasons such as pain, fatigue, confusion, or restlessness. Agitation is indicated by feelings of anxiety or becoming upset very quickly. Loved ones and caregivers should be cognizant of how to prevent or respond to these cases by taking a few precautions. How to Prevent Agitation in Loved One with Dementia

Dr. Elizabeth A. Landsverk, Silverado Belmont Hills Medical Director, suggests three ways to reduce or prevent agitation with dementia patients:

  • Remove medicationsthat cause any agitation or more confusion, such as Xanax or sleeping pills. It’s best to consult your doctor about which medications could be an emotional trigger.
  • Manage pain and discomfort.Address hunger, thirst, constipation, a full bladder, fatigue, infections and skin irritations. She also suggest substituting existing pain medications with Tylenol.
  • Get them engaged in activities they enjoy doing.Since changes in environment are common causes of agitation, and can also be extremely overwhelming for the patient, familiarity in doing something they love can have a very relaxing effect. This also minimizes chances of confusion.

For more videos of dementia specialists answering common questions, click here.

How to Prevent Agitation in Loved One with Dementia

How to Prevent Agitation in Loved One with Dementia How to Prevent Agitation in Loved One with Dementia How to Prevent Agitation in Loved One with Dementia How to Prevent Agitation in Loved One with Dementia How to Prevent Agitation in Loved One with Dementia How to Prevent Agitation in Loved One with Dementia How to Prevent Agitation in Loved One with Dementia
 

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How To Be a Caregiver for a Difficult Person
Caregiving

How To Be a Caregiver for a Difficult Person

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Stay Sane When You Are Caring For A Challenging Caree

Ideally, the person you provide care for is thankful and happy to have you in their life, caring for their personal, physical and emotional needs. Unfortunately, in the real world, sometimes being a caregiver is hard. Your caree may be angry that they need care or struggle with pain or frustration over their new situation, making you their easiest target. Or, maybe they weren’t very pleasant to begin with and you are stepping up regardless of their disposition. How To Be a Caregiver for a Difficult Person

It can be extremely difficult if you are a caregiver to a loved one who is difficult. Whether they are kind to you and nasty to others around them or treat you with less kindness than you deserve, it can make caregiving challenging. How To Be a Caregiver for a Difficult Person

Caregiving takes an emotional toll on caregivers, particularly when the person they are caring for is difficult. It is hard enough taking the time to care for someone else’s needs and giving so much of your energy to others. When your caree is ungrateful, angry or emotionally abusive, it takes caregiving to a whole new level.

There is no other time to remind yourself that “It’s not you, it’s them.” Their behavior is not indicative of the person you are. There are other issues coming in to play that are their issues, not yours. While you can’t change their behavior, you can change your reaction so that it doesn’t alter your mood. How To Be a Caregiver for a Difficult Person

Bad moods can be contagious and it can be easy to go to a dark place when someone you are close to is in a dark space. If you find yourself sinking into depression, consider seeking out a counselor or support group. You don’t have to allow your caree to destroy your emotional well-being. You can do your best to help them out of their negative space, but don’t go down that path together.

Tips to Deal with an Angry or Emotional Abusive Caree

  • Accept that it’s not you, it’s them.
  • Don’t take it personally.
  • Redirect: If you can, change the subject or distract your caree from what is angering them.
  • Acknowledge them: Sometimes your caree just wants to be heard. It can be hard going from managing your own life to having someone else step in because you are no longer able to do so. Just listening to them and letting them know that you hear them and understand may go a long way.
  • Get help: If the behavior change is new, consider speaking to their primary care physician. The change could be related to a new condition, a medical side effect, sleep issues, etc. If they have suffered from bouts of depression in the past, reach out to their therapist.
  • Get support: If you are the only person providing care for your loved one, reach out to your family and friends to get others on board. Don’t discount grandkids. A high school student can prepare a meal for their grandparent and keep them company while you go to a coffee shop with a magazine.
  • Find outlets for them: If your parent is angry or depressed due to loss of family or friends, consider helping them out of isolation. Just having things to look forward to can improve their mood.
  • Stand up for yourself: You are not a punching bag. No matter how much you love someone and want to provide them care, you need to take care of yourself first. Tell your loved one that you love them but you will not accept this type of behavior. If they are not willing to treat you better, you will be forced to leave and they will need to find another care source. This of course, is easier said than done, but ideally, the person you love is still in there and will realize that they are hurting you.

 

Caring for others is hard. Caring for someone who is angry or emotionally abusive takes it to a whole new level. Be kind to yourself. Don’t allow their negativity to bring you down. Find ways to care for yourself and give yourself much-needed breaks.

How To Be a Caregiver for a Difficult Person

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Why Long Distance Care Matters Now More Than Ever
Caregiving

Caring for Someone Who Doesn’t Want Help

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Admitting you need help is hard. Especially when you used to be the one people went to for help. Suddenly, people are telling you what you should do or what you can’t do. Most seniors, regardless of what the outside looks like, still feel like their old selves, so when their adult children start treating them like a frail person who needs assistance, they can resist. Caring for Someone Who Doesn’t Want Help

So how can you respectfully help your independent mother or father accept help, whether from you or a hired caregiver, so that they can continue their independent lifestyle while remaining safe?

Transportation

If your elderly parent is no longer safe on the road, you’ll need to address transportation before it is addressed for you. Has your parent already had a few fender benders? That could be a sign that they may need to cut back on driving. If you are considering taking away the keys, you never want to go into this discussion empty handed.

Providing solutions for transportation so that a senior can see clearly that while they may no longer be driving, they can still enjoy all of their activities is critical in making the transition easier. Make sure you cover everything from trips to the grocery store to the hairdresser and lunch with friends. You don’t need to use one service to cover all of their needs. I find that the most successful seniors have a network of services they used so that they were never left stranded.

If cost is a concern for your senior parent, figure out the cost of operating their vehicle. It is probably very close to what they will pay for services and they will be much safer. The cost of a car accident is far higher than what they will spend on transportation. I had a client who sold her car and kept the cash from the sale to use for transportation so that she wasn’t dipping into her other funds for transportation. I’m not totally on board with keeping a big sum of cash at home, but it was an interesting way of managing her transportation costs.

Get Help at Home

It is extremely difficult to convince someone to allow a stranger into their home to perform tasks that they still want to do. My suggestion is to start slow and small. Perhaps your parent doesn’t need a daily caregiver, or actual caregiving tasks performed.

Sit down together and think about the types of things that would be nice to get help with. Is vacuuming challenging? Perhaps cleaning the toilets or shower and tub are becoming more difficult or dangerous. Working with your parent will help them feel like you’re not making decisions for them.
Does your parent need help with cleaning and food prep? Maybe just bring in a caregiver 2-3 times a week for a few hours to do housekeeping and help your parent prep food so that they can cook it when they are ready. I’ve even know families who hired a caregiver to do light cleaning and go for a walk with their parent so that they can get exercise outdoors safely.

If you start slowly and involve your parent, they will get used to having a bit of help around the house and the more help they need, the more willing they will be to accept it. Now, of course, this doesn’t work for everyone. I knew a woman who was so sweet to me and my drivers and it was shocking to see her interaction with her caregivers. She really hated having someone in her space, but sadly, she needed it. The best thing you can do in this situation is try to find the best fit for them. Maybe the first or second caregiver won’t be the right person for them, but the third might be just what they needed.

Outside Activities

Quite frankly, so long as your parent is physically and emotionally able to get out and be social, you should encourage it. I have noticed that my senior friends who had activities to look forward to were in much better emotional and physical health than those who only went out for medical visits. Social activity combats loneliness, which has been linked to mental and health problems.

Even if they have physical or cognitive limitations, finding ways to maintain their social activities is important to their overall well-being. You may need to enlist a companion or caregiver to participate in an activity with them, but whenever possible, they should stay active. I had a client with dementia who went to the gym multiple times per week because he truly enjoyed it. I also knew of a woman with dementia who played mah jong with a group of friends every week, with the help of her caregiver. We even took a woman in a wheelchair to the beach a few times a week to ride along the bike path. Find ways to make participation enjoyable, even if it isn’t the same as it was in the past.

Accepting a change in lifestyle is hard for anyone. Work together with your parents to find the best fit for them and show them that their opinions and decisions are valuable.Caring for Someone Who Doesn’t Want Help

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Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care
Caregiving

Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

The kitchen is one of the busiest places in any home – but also one of the most dangerous. Along with bathrooms, kitchens represent some of the most significant health and injury hazards to seniors. At Visiting Angels, our in-home care professionals work with seniors to make kitchens safer. Over the years, we’ve developed a number of safety tips that can be used by seniors, their caregivers, and their loved ones to improve kitchen safety. Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care
“Preventing injury is one of the most important aspects of in-home care,” says Larry Meigs, CEO and President of Visiting Angels, a nationwide network of in-home care providers. “Simply put, safer kitchens make for safer seniors.” Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care
To improve the safety of your loved one’s kitchen, try out these tips and tricks for making kitchens in-home care friendly.

Quick Tips for In-Home Care Providers

There are a number of day-to-day things that can be done to improve kitchen safety for seniors. These tips can be used by you, your loved one, or your loved one’s professional in-home care provider. Remember that bad habits are hard to break, and it can be easy for your loved one to forget these important safety tips. As such, it may be best if you or a care professional is with your loved one during cooking or meal preparation.

  • Keep all cupboards and drawers closed when not in use
  • Store heavier pots, pans, dishware, and appliances in easy-to-reach areas
  • Keep knives and other sharp implements in a secure place
  • Unplug any electrical appliances when not in use
  • Have a step-ladder handy for hard-to-reach shelves
  • Always keep countertops free of clutter
  • Make sure that pot and pan handles don’t overhang the edge of the stovetop
  • Never wear loose clothing when cooking over the stovetop
  • Keep oven mitts available
  • Quickly clean up any spills
  • Remove tripping hazards including throw rugs
  • Keep a first aid kit easily available

Senior-Friendly Kitchen Reno

Making your loved one’s kitchen more senior care friendly may require renovation work. Thankfully, kitchen renovations offer the best return-on-investment out of all home improvement projects. Because of this, adapting your loved one’s kitchen for in-home care and age-related difficulties can actually improve the value of your loved one’s home.
Here are some kitchen improvement projects that will make in-home care and everyday living safer for your loved one:

  • Install high-quality lighting to improve visibility
  • Make sure the stove has a well-functioning range hood
  • Install high-traction, non-slip tile
  • Turn low-level cabinets into pull-out drawers
  • Install a lever-style faucet

Of course, the best way to keep seniors safe in the kitchen is to have a second set of eyes, ears, and hands to detect potential dangers and help your loved one with difficult tasks. You may be able to fill this role yourself – or you may wish for the help of an in-home care professional. If so, Visiting Angels can help.

Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care

Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care Kitchen Safety Tips for Seniors Receiving In-Home Care
 
 

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