Blog #1

PROTECT YOUR AGING PARENTS WITH THESE 8 GIFTS

What can you buy for $800? 

You can buy a new TV with several bells and whistles.

If you happen to catch a great sale you can get an older Mac Book Air Laptop for that price.

And the average price of a new cell phone is $800.

All single items, and admittedly, all great stuff. 

But what if we told you that for that same $800 you can buy eight items for your aging parents that will enhance their lives, and possibly even save their lives?

As our loved ones age, ensuring their well-being becomes a top priority. However, the challenges of aging, combined with financial constraints, can make it difficult to provide the care and support seniors deserve. So, each month, Let’s Help Mom and Dad will explore a different budget-friendly senior solution aimed at enhancing the quality of life for our aging parents without straining their patience or our wallets.

This month we start off in the kitchen, which is a virtual death-trap for our older, independent parents. Here are some startling statistics that compare younger age groups with older ones.

• Seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 are TWICE as likely to perish in a fire than younger age groups.
• Seniors between the ages of 75 and 84 are FOUR TIMES as likely to perish in a fire.
• Seniors 85 and older are FIVE TIMES as likely to perish in a fire than any other age group.

How old are your mom and dad?

As grim as these figures are, it’s good to know there are some easy and cost-effective things we can do for our aging parents that they may not be able to afford to do for themselves.

COOKING

Among people aged 65 and older, cooking is the leading cause of injury and the third leading cause of fire deaths in this age group.

Ensuring kitchen safety for seniors is crucial, and using appliances and products with safety features can significantly reduce the risk of fire incidents.

Here are the kitchen related hacks that can help prevent fires and enhance the safety of our aging parents.

Each affiliate link listed below will give you more information on the item listed which is an example of a superior product in that category, based on superlative Amazon ratings and reviews. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Now, let’s help mom and dad.

Automatic Shut-off Stove:

Consider a stove with an automatic shut-off feature. This technology can detect inactivity or prolonged cooking times and automatically turn off the stove to prevent overheating and potential fires.

Even if our parents forget that “Something’s on the stove,” The Nuwave Gold Precision Induction Cooktop will shut off automatically when the set cook time is completed. When there is no cookware on the cooktop, the Nuwave Gold will not start. There are no hot coils or open flames reducing the risk of burns.  

This is not an entire stove; it is a single cooktop as used and seen on most cooking shows. This item gets 4.5 stars out of a perfect 5 stars, based on 3,900 reviews. It is very inexpensive.

https://amzn.to/3SiONeh         Nuwave Gold Precision Induction Cooktop.

Fire-resistant oven mitts

Prevent accidental burns and reduce the risk of flammable materials catching fire by using fire-resistant oven mitts. Grill Armor Gloves with Fingers can withstand heat up to 932° and are cut resistant as well. They received a 4.5 out of a perfect 5 stars based on 6,000 ratings. They cost less than ordering a pizza or hamburger via delivery but can keep your parents out of the emergency ward of the nearest hospital.

https://amzn.to/4beZgzR        Grill Armor Gloves with Fingers

Electric Kettle with Auto Shut-off

A kettle heating on a gas stove can be dangerous. If our senior parents forget it is on, the water can boil over, put out the flame, but allow gas to fill the room; and with one spark, there will be an explosion. An electric kettle with an automatic shut-off feature can be a safer option. It prevents the risk of forgetting to turn off the stove.

The Chefman Electric Kettle will ensure safe and worry-free boiling with automatic shutoff and boil-dry protection. It boils water in 3 minutes and has a removable lid for easy cleaning. This unit has received an Amazon rating of 4.6 stars with over 300 reviews. And again, you will spend more on lunch at a good restaurant than for this life-saving product.

https://amzn.to/3udH7BR      Chefman Electric Kettle

Set It and Forget It Ovens

One of the very best examples of one of these ovens is the Nuwave Primo Grill Oven. Why? Because it makes cooking an easy process especially for seniors. We may not think about it much, but many seniors have problems with their backs, ankles, and knees. This makes it difficult for them to stand for very long. And soon, they opt for a bowl of cereal or a quick sandwich instead of enduring the pain of standing at the stove to prepare a nutritious meal. This can lead to anemia and even make them officially malnourished.

Now, with the Nuwave Primo, all they have to do is place the meat in the unit and insert the temperature probe which is part of the machine. They simply enter the internal temperature they want the meat to be cooked to, and when that cut of meat reaches the predetermined temperature, the cooking stops automatically. No more guessing. No more constantly checking. If their steak or roast or chicken is supposed to have an internal temperature of 165°, they tap in that temperature on the easy-to-read keypad and they will have a perfectly cooked meal very soon thereafter. Cooking by temperature, not time, is the only way to go. The Nuwave Primo Grill Oven is a game-changer and costs less than a pair of good ear buds.

https://amzn.to/3Uh5ppl      Nuwave Primo Grill Oven

Fire Extinguishers vs Fire Blankets

There is a lot of controversy about this subject, but here are the facts.

In a report aired by the TV show 11 Alive News in Atlanta, Georgia, a Public Information Officer for the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commission, Brandon Wright, is quoted as saying:

“Fire blankets are a useful tool in the fire safety field. They can be used to contain small to medium fires, especially in the kitchen. However, fire extinguishers are the recommended tool to have in the kitchen to protect yourself in the event of a fire. They allow the user to be a safe distance away from the fire, can be aimed at specific areas to stop fires from spreading, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate any user.”

It is recommended by experts that to be safer, your parents need both extinguishers and blankets on hand. Why? Because though most fires can be fought with a fire extinguisher, if your folks must quickly exit an area that has caught on fire, wrapping themselves in a fire-resistant blanket can buy them the minutes they need to get out safely.

Consumer Reports lists Prepared Hero fire blankets as the best in 2024. And with nearly 8,000 reviews, Amazon customers have given them a rating of 4.8 stars out of a perfect 5. A 4-pack (one for mom, one for dad, and 2 for miscellaneous) will be less than a dinner for two at nearly any restaurant.   

2,900 Amazon reviewers gave the Amerex B500 ABC Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher a 4.8 star out of a perfect 5-star rating. Even a dual pack of these extinguishers cost far less than even a decent pair of ear buds.

https://amzn.to/3vUFoSA    Prepared Hero Fire Blankets

https://amzn.to/3SyYPsV     Amerex B500 ABC Dry Chemical Class A, B, and C Fire Extinguisher

Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The absence of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in seniors’ homes poses serious risks, including delayed fire detection and heightened vulnerability to carbon monoxide poisoning. Seniors, with potential mobility issues and weakened immune systems, face increased dangers.

Additionally, the lack of detectors results in a delayed emergency response. Prioritizing home safety through detector installation and maintenance is crucial, ensuring timely alerts and protection for seniors, who may otherwise face heightened threats to their well-being.

Last month alone, over 4,000 people purchased the Kidde Smoke Detector & Monoxide Detector Combo from Amazon, and nearly 1,800 Amazon customers who reviewed this unit gave it a 4.5 out of a perfect 5-star rating. It cost less than a tank of gas.

https://amzn.to/42wxdbr      Kidde Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Detector Combo with 10-Year Battery

Non-Slip Kitchen Mats and Rugs

Seniors who neglect to use non-slip mats and rugs in the kitchen expose themselves to significant dangers. Kitchens are prone to spills and moisture, and without proper traction, seniors face an increased risk of slips and falls. Such accidents can result in serious injuries, particularly for seniors with reduced balance or mobility. The hard surfaces in kitchens amplify the impact of falls, leading to fractures or head injuries. Non-slip mats act as a preventive measure, providing stability and reducing the likelihood of accidents, thereby safeguarding the well-being of seniors, and mitigating the potential for severe consequences associated with kitchen-related falls.

The HEBE Boho non-slip kitchen rugs comes in a pack of 3 and with 178 reviews has a 4.2 out of a 5-star perfect rating. Again, it costs less than one fill-up at the gas station for most cars.

https://amzn.to/4bgL0qc     HEBE Boho Kitchen Rugs Set 

So, there we have it. These are the things our aging mom and dad need. They may not know it, and living on a fixed income, they may not be able to afford them even if they do know they need them. But we can and should provide these things for them if we are able to. It will increase our own peace of mind, and make life much easier for them, perhaps even saving their lives in some circumstances. So, will it be a new phone, or create a safer environment for our aging parents?

See you next month with more information about how to rescue those two wonderful people who helped us become who we are.

Let’s Help Mom and Dad.