My mum is blind and will shortly be losing g the last lodger she is going to get. One of the many reasons the lodger wants to leave is that my mum still cooks for herself and is very forgetful/ careless about turning the gas off. There have been at least two frightening episodes, one where the gas burner was left on all night, another when a frying pan was quietly sitting on the burner for an hour while my mum forgot about it.
She laughed off both episodes and said 'well, it proves that the smoke alarms work'.
She has paid care twice a week, we are pushing for more hours, but she just can't grasp that she can't cook if she's on her own. She can manage her microwave, so can safely reheat what the carers cook, and also ready meals.
She won't accept meals on wheels, because she is extremely independent and has always really liked cooking.I do understand that she hates losing control, but I am deeply concerned about her safety. I want her to stay in her house as long as possible, as does she, and she will be incredibly resistant to the choice between live-in care or a home. That may well be what she has to accept at some point, but in the meantime, how on earth can I prevent an accident? She lives 2 hours away, and there's no way I am able to come and cook for her on a regular basis, but I am increasingly worried about her complete disregard for her or her neighbours' safety.