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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Alzheimer's / February 2005Turning Off The Cook Stove
Before we had a helper coming twice a week,4 hours at a time,from a local home health care,I was used to putting/leaving many of my clean pots and pans on top of our electric cook stove. Then this lady starts coming and she does most of the dish washing and she puts the clean pots and pans inside the stove. Not a big problem as I usually use only the top of the stove and microwave for cooking. Then three or so months ago I woke up to an odd smell. Finally tracked it down to where Mom had turned on the cook stove and the plastic handles on some of the pans were just barely starting to melt! So I started taking the pots and pans out of the stove and stacking them back on top as I always had. That worked until the other day when I woke up to an odd smell and some smoke. Mom had turned on one of the top stove burners where I had put 3 empty cooking pans/pots! (sigh) After the first time nothing readily came to mind as what was best to do? Thought to unplug the cook stove after each use;but then the plug is uge and isn't easy at all to get to. And mostly just forgot about it all as nothing else happened for weeks after that first time. After the 2nd time it hit me that I could just turn the cook stove's breaker off after I got through using the stove! And no,I don't know why I didn't think of that after the 1st time!? :-) I know things can always be done different ways and no doubt the problem we had could of been at least partially solved in various ways;but cutting off the cook stove's breaker after I use it each time has solved the problem for me. No more fear of burning pot handles,etc. and no fear of Mom perhaps burning herself on a hot burner! > Before we had a helper coming twice a week,4 hours at a time,from a > local home health care,I was used to putting/leaving many of my clean [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > the problem for me. No more fear of burning pot handles,etc. and no fear > of Mom perhaps burning herself on a hot burner! That is a great idea! Of course, it doesn't help much if the person has a gas stove :-)  SignatureRegards, Evelyn (to reply to me personally, remove 'sox") > That is a great idea! Of course, it doesn't help much if the person has a > gas stove :-) Mom had a gas stove with the piezoelectric starter (meaning no pilot light). I simply reached behind the stove and cut off the gas supply line when not using the stove. Guess it would be more of a problem with gas stoves that still have pilot lights. >> That is a great idea! Of course, it doesn't help much if the person has >> a [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > line when not using the stove. Guess it would be more of a problem with > gas stoves that still have pilot lights. My mother in law had one of the old fashioned ones with a pilot light, and she burnt up several pots. We found some with the handles burnt off. It was around then that we realized that something had to be done. That..... and double dosing on her meds, having forgotten that she already took them. It was nearly impossible to get her to leave her home, but eventually it was done. I shudder to think what could have happened, and I am very thankful that it didn't. We were waiting for a disaster and praying that it wouldn't be. Fortunately she eventually came to live with us. That was a good day for all of us. SignatureRegards, Evelyn (to reply to me personally, remove 'sox") >>> That is a great idea! Of course, it doesn't help much if the person has >>> a >>> gas stove :-) Ok, beat this! We have a gas stove and cooktop. More recently, as my memory detiorated, I'd put water in the kettle, light the gas and go back to my book, news, whatever, while I waited for it to boil. Far too often that was after the water had all been evaporated. My loving sister, for Christmas, bought me an electric kettle which automatically switched off when the water came to boil. Worked for awhile until the other day. I must have put water in switched it on and gone back into the study. Some time later, I noticed a pungent smell and went into the kitchen only to find the kettle on fire. I had put water in it and put it on the gas stove before I left the kitchen. I grabbed the kettle and dumped it into the basin and switched the tap on. Didn't have much effect. The kettle was mostly plastic which was melted and smoking and sticking to the basin, still on fire. The whole bottom fell out exposing the red hot element which seemed equally resistant to water. It was very scary but no great damage other than a useless kettle (which I stuck upside down in the front garden standing on the handle - and which I have just noticed has pride of place in the garbage bin on the verge waiting to go to a new, if unloved, home). Also took me awhile to scrape the black plastic off the metal sink. I now have another new kettle, courtesy of my wife, a plastic electric one that is quite dissimilar to the old gas one and is, hopefully, unlikely to be confused with the old gas kettle we had. We're hoping that the new one, which is white and plastic, unlike the earlier electric one, is unlikely to be confused with a metal gas kettle or pot(s). - Mod as a hooter! >>>> That is a great idea! Of course, it doesn't help much if the person >>>> has [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] > electric one, is unlikely to be confused with a metal gas kettle or > pot(s). Dear Anthony, My heart breaks when I read of stuff like this. It is absolutely a rotten disease. The hardest part for someone who has been independent all of their life, must be having to give up doing things for oneself, not being able to trust oneself. Now about the teakettle bit. I can assure you that I have forgotten that I had tea water boiling many times. We had an electric kettle a couple of years ago and I once caught myself nearly putting it on the stove, but caught myself before I did it. I laughed at myself for it, but your situation surely wasn't a laughable one, as it could have been dangerous. Please try to always have someone nearby to keep an eye out for such situations. SignatureRegards, Evelyn (to reply to me personally, remove 'sox") >Please try to always have someone nearby to keep an eye out for such >situations. My wife is a teacher and so I'm home alone most of the time. She expects to give up working at some stage - but I think I have a few more reasonable years than she expects. Your comment above, sparked what might be a great solution. At the very back of our block, built by the previous owner, is a double garage which has an electricity supply and is on a cement base. We could turn it into a day house, without stove etc., for me. It would be a bit expensive but would allow my wife to enjoy her career somewhat longer. Thoughts? - Mod as a hooter! >>Please try to always have someone nearby to keep an eye out for such >>situations. [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Thoughts? Anthony, I can only tell you from my own experience. You would decide you wanted a cup of tea, and would go into the house for something and use the stove again while you were there, meaning to shut it off when it was done. You would then think to get something from another room and forget it was on again. You see, it is SHORT term memory that is affected. You could have some companion come and stay there during the day with you, but that could be expensive and maybe boring. The best and safest thing would be for you to look into adult daycare centers when you or your wife feels you may bear closer watching. My mother in law didn't want to go to the daycare center, but it worked in so many wonderful ways for her. Socially it was wonderful for her. There were lots of other people- some in varying stages of needing care and not all were alzheimer patients, many were just lonely and wanted company. They played card games, board games, had nice home made meals every day, went to the mall, to the park, for boat rides on the river. They had kindergarten class kids come over and chat with the older folks. They had young musicians who were just getting used to performing in public come to do a "show".... They had a young woodcarver come and show his works there. Visiting therapy dogs would sometimes come. Some called it "the senior center" and really that was more what it was. I couldn't begin to list all the events and amusements they provided, like she could never possibly get at home. The stimulation is what was most valuable. Interacting on a daily basis with others keeps the mind open and active. I am totally convinced that it slowed the progression of her illness as much, or maybe even more than the medications. If it were me? I would definitely go to a daycare center. Safe and fun and good for the mind. SignatureRegards, Evelyn (to reply to me personally, remove 'sox") > - > Mod as a hooter! >You would decide you wanted a cup of tea, and would go into the house for >something and use the stove again while you were there, meaning to shut it >off when it was done. You would then think to get something from another >room and forget it was on again. You see, it is SHORT term memory that is >affected. I intended to say that I'd be locked out of the house (and that the "day room" would have phone, electricity, water and latrine). In any event, the suggestion prompted my wife to hit me over the head with the proverbial soap bucket :-) Anyway, now I'm on 10 mg of Aricept, I seem to be much better. - Mod as a hooter! Anthony, please tell me you aren't suggesting turning this garage into a cell to keep you out of trouble....oy. When you get to the point you can't be left alone in the house due to domestic dangers from appliances, medications, cleansers etc. , the loving solution is supervision, not putting you alone in a bunker to spend your days. Never mind that unless you are locked in, you may wander. You will need activity, company, stimulation - and you need people looking out for your safety, comfort and needs. At the point where being alone in the house is no longer workable, a much better solution would be either attending a day program, or getting a housekeeper/sitter who can make sure you get fed, turn the set on, take you for a walk etc. Mary G. >Anthony, please tell me you aren't suggesting turning this garage into >a cell to keep you out of trouble....oy. When you get to the point you [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >activity, company, stimulation - and you need people looking out for >your safety, comfort and needs. Even though I am only in the early stages (albeit admittedly vague) I already find that I have no civil rights and everybody knows what is better for me. For example, my sister tries to include me in her day but wandering endlesssly around the mall - at a snail's pace - is utter torture. I've never really been a normal creature. Driving from shop to bank, dropping something here and fetching something from somewhere else - especially since it has nothing to do with my life - is tedious and wearying. I greatly appreciate the effort to get me out of the house, but with the temperature close to 100F, the intention is appreciated but the outcome is not. As for cell, no I wasn't suggesting that. I was describing a simpler daytime environment devoid of dangerous appliances -- a garden containing a daytime as well as a night time environment. I would neither be confined outside nor in the simplified and safer inside environment. What bothers me most is loss of dignity resulting from people making decisions for me rather than consulting/negotiating with me. I would hope that my writing is clear enough to indicate that my primary losses are memory and getting obsessed. My wife also, and mostly, complains about use of offensive/bad language. That's part of the pathology and, merely, a social construct. On the bright side, my wit is sharp as ever and I can deliver one-liners without even trying :-) Of course, when I start to wander, it's a different ballgame altogether. I am however, very lucid at the moment. - Mod as a hooter! > >Anthony, please tell me you aren't suggesting turning this garage into > >a cell to keep you out of trouble....oy. When you get to the point you [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > Of course, when I start to wander, it's a different ballgame altogether. I am > however, very lucid at the moment. Hi Anthony. Thank you for sharing your feelings of disempowerment. I'm assuming you're somewhere in WA, and wonder if you've contacted Alzheimer's Australia re "day clubs" and organised activities in your area? For example, where I work we have Men's Club on a Monday. This is for early stage (like yourself) male clients, and suitable activities and outings are arranged. Transport, morning & afternoon tea, and lunch are provided. It's a good opportunity to socialise with others in the same or similar situation. Tuesday is a mixed-gender early-to-middle stage group. Wednesday is Ladies Day (early stage), Thursday mixed-gender mid-to-late stage, and Friday is flexible depending on client needs. Alzheimer's Australia's toll-free number is 1800 639 331 and their website is at http://www.alzheimers.asn.au/ Caz >Hi Anthony. Thank you for sharing your feelings of disempowerment. I'm >assuming you're somewhere in WA, and wonder if you've contacted Alzheimer's >Australia re "day clubs" and organised activities in your area? Been there, done that. I'm the only early onset person there (at Alzheimer's in W.A.) and there's a big gap. My faculties are pretty good at the moment and I'm pursuing alternative activities, including some work I can do and enjoy. This, I'm directing my energies to where I'll get the maximum benefit. No doubt I'll join the groups once I'm further down the hill. Thanks for your effort and interest. - Mod as a hooter! > Re: Turning Off The Cook Stove > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > re "day clubs" and organised activities > in your area? > Anthony to Caz: > Been there, done that. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Mod as a hooter! > --- Ronny: I'm glad you can do some activities that you enjoy. My 84 year old Mom is inbetween the early to mid stage of alzheimers or I'm just fooling myself and she's really in the mid stage? The main thing to me is that I want her to have the opportunity to do somethings she enjoys. One problem I have is just in talking to someone like you who knows they have alzheimers. You see my Mom and I never talked about her having that and I'm not even sure if her doctor talked to her about it or not? If he did she never mentioned it to me. Don't know if he talked to my two older sisters about it either? Especially the one who is more likely to take Mom for a doctor's appointment. One of them has to go as I'm so hard of hearing and won't always catch everything the doctor is saying. For the longest time my oldest sister was in what I saw as complete denial as to Mom having any problem;but then that's just my sister on that part. She's that way about anyone she loves,be their problem physical,mental or both. No doubt I'm some that way myself since I never talked to Mom about her failing memory etc. (ha) Yeah,I liked to deny things like that and could up to a point;but then it got to where I couldn't. At this point the main thing to me is that I want Mom to enjoy doing what she wants to do and can do safely. So if she wants to go outside and walk in the yard we go. If she desires to sweep the living room and kitchen,then she can and that no matter that a lady comes by a couple of days a week to do stuff like that. I just want her to do what she can and can do safely and that for as long as she is able to. <snip> > I know things can always be done different ways and no doubt the problem > we had could of been at least partially solved in various ways;but > cutting off the cook stove's breaker after I use it each time has solved > the problem for me. No more fear of burning pot handles,etc. and no fear > of Mom perhaps burning herself on a hot burner! Turning the range off at the breaker solved much the same kind of problem for me, too. Blessed be, Baird SignatureModkin of soc.religion.paganism Modstaff of alt.religion.wicca.moderated Newstaff, Inc. at newstaff.com |
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