On my quest to find kitchen accessories for Mama, I came across and tried some of the below. I usually made tweaks to these.
I had to get very creative. You'll find me saying that numerous times. Why?
Well, apparently, what was simple and made sense to me did not make sense to others. I had signs all over the kitchen, such as 'please clean spills' (yes, really) and 'turn off microwave at main switch.' Not for Mama—at this point, she was unable to do this. The signs were for the carers, friends, or visitors. This is why my care plan is very long and detailed.
First, for the kitchen:
Install a smoke alarm. In the UK, additional safety features are sometimes installed as well.
If you are not going to be close by, consider installing a smart alarm. See below for more details.
I had an automatic gas shut-off installed as well, I knew that time would come.
At some point, you will need to either remove or disable certain items in your home. A person with dementia will eventually forget how to use these items, and despite my/your best efforts to tweak or modify them, this will inevitably happen. When it does, it’s crucial to act swiftly to ensure the safety of your loved one. Remove anything that could be deemed dangerous.
I found that the best products to use was what your loved one is used to historically as opposed to new designs - below I have explained.
I watched and saw actions over the camera with Mama.
Carers, visitors and others did NOT see. Which is why cameras were a great addition for us.
Watch and adjust as necessary.
Easy-to-Use Kettles (more popular in the UK) - you know how we like our cuppa!
Best is the lightweight with ergonomic handles and automatic shut-off. This is safe and simple to operate. I liked the bright ones. Easier to "see". In the UK, you can buy from your local Tesco or other market but this one is from Amazon.
If you plan to keep the stove turned on, it's best to buy a sturdy kettle, preferably a metal model. They are heavier though. Some people with dementia (PWD) have been known to place the kettle on the gas to heat up.
If this happens, I would strongly recommend turning off the gas to the stove for safety reasons.
Uccello Electric Safety Kettle - UK ONLY
I did not have much luck with this. I did try to show Mama how to use this. As mentioned, introducing new items were sometimes a challenge. This was one. That does not mean it may not work for you - I suppose you can try it as that's what I did with a lot of products. I'd be interested to hear if this did work for you - please comment.
Insulated Carafe: This worked for a bit! But it was introduced too late. If I walked her through it using the cameras, she could do it. However, I had to depend on someone to make the tea and put it in the carafe, and I did not have dependable people around. However, if you have a carer going in several times a day, they can make the tea or coffee and place it here. (Notice the bright cup? Check out my Plates/Cups & Utensils post)
Simple Toasters: Lightweight, easy-to-read dials, and automatic pop-up.
I added black tape so that Mama couldn't turn the dial all the way and burn the toast.
Daewoo Essentials: The exterior on this stays cool when toasting. (I eventually removed this item as well)
Elite Gourmet Toaster: Here's a comparable one from the USA.
Electric Hot Pot - UK
I had to get creative. Mama never had a routine for eating at a certain time. She liked to pick foods and sometimes eat a full meal. When I installed the automatic gas shut off on the stove, I needed a way for her to be able to eat throughout the day. Enter the hot pot. I made some tweaks and wrote out a step-by-step for the carer (heat up food and so on) and adjusted as necessary.
Dish Drying Mat, Microfiber Dry Pad, Quick-Drying Dish Drainer Board Mat for Kitchen Counter-top Tabletop
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