Care Management ~ Eldercare Advocacy ~ Dementia Care

Dear Judie,

Mom (86) let me reorganize her kitchen to move the most frequently used items to easier-to-reach cupboards/drawers. I went home  patting myself on the back for reducing her falls risk because she would no longer bend to floor level or stand on stools to reach higher items. When I called the next day to ask how the new arrangement worked, Mom said, “Fine, but I was so tired I went to bed without eating”. I called a few more times and Mom said she liked the new system. During yesterday’s visit, I found last week’s meat and fresh vegetables untouched. Mom cried, saying it was too hard to find things, so she didn’t cook. She wants everything back where it was.

• Linda, Vero

Dear Linda,

The older we get, the more difficult we find disruption of our daily routines. We’re guessing Mom, like most of us, automatically reaches for kitchen items because they’ve been in the same place for decades. Put everything back in its place. First, find the most dangerously placed item and ask Mom to move it to a senior-friendly location. Next, wait until Mom’s comfortable with that change, then repeat the process until you’re satisfied.  

Judie Rappaport, President & Founder
Preferred Lifestyle Services

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