How can I help my uncle cook when it’s dangerous for him to stand?

Update :)

Thank you verrrry much for all your good ideas.

1. As some of you know, my LO was in hospital. And as I said some days ago, luckily made a full recovery!!!! It looked very bleak. But it all worked out!!

I wish us all luck, with our health!!!!

2. Many of you gave me great ideas about cooking. We’ll be trying it out.

3. My uncle has tried the new recliner armchair. Good!!

Thank you everyone!!!

Poodle Doodle
(still trying to get my uncle to call me that)

:)

mandolin for prepping veggies? His hand would stay away from the cutting surface while still getting to do the work.
I use an induction cooktop and when I finally get to remodel my
kitchen, that will be a mandatory.
a countertop oven would let him keep an eye on things. So, that would
keep him engaged more.

Dear GardenArtist :),

Thanks for your sweet wishes!! I’ll tell my uncle. It’ll make him happy.

There are so many special, sweet people on this forum. :)

(If in the future I don’t reply on this forum as promptly, please don’t worry. All of us on this forum are dealing with various things in life).

We’ll be trying out the various ideas suggested to us!

Poodle :)

Poodle, I just want to thank you for your promptness and courtesy in responding. It's only occasionally that someone responds so promptly and prolifically. Many posters never even respond, period. People spend their own time to help someone else who doesn't even have the courtesy to respond.

You're a special person for your approach to your uncle's situation, and the courtesy you've extended to those who offered suggestions. I wish you, your uncle, his caregiver and anyone else involved the best of luck in finding and adopting/adapting solutions.

Poodle, induction cookers are great for being able to cook anywhere you choose. I have two and use one when we travel, that way we aren't eating out all the time. They are the best hundred bucks I have spent for my kitchen.

If you do get an induction cooker, the bottom of the pans must hold a magnet to work. You don't have to buy the expensive cookware if you do the magnet test.

Electric fry pans are also mobile and can work just like a pan on the stove.

How are his motor skills? I would think that would determine what is safe for him to handle.

Best of luck finding a safe way he can cook.

How about a consultation with an occupational therapist, especially if you can get one out for a home visit. There are many adaptive utensils available and techniques out there. As a person with PD myself. I like using an ulu (curved blade cutting tool from Alaska) when I'm in the kitchen.

I think you've gotten some good suggestions, especially JoAnn's. I think counter extension is a good idea, but your uncle could also use the table as an extension. That's what my mother when her back aches increased. She did as much as she could sitting, then stood only when she had to. We kids also helped with the stirring and packing into freezable containers.

Perhaps your uncle could add a few other elements: Do as gardeners do, prepping veggies and fruits and other ingredients, then freezing them. When you're available, they can be removed from the freezer and cooked, if they need to be.

Another option is to make sauces, etc. in large quantities when you're available and freeze them in meal size proportions.

I still would work toward an assistant to do the standing, but I also think that the Instapot or electric cooker/Crockpot options are great ideas. They can be on the table or at a counter where Uncle sits, and all he'll have to do is check on them and stir periodically. If the counter or table is configured in such a way as to install grab bars, that's even better. I think the long grab bars might would better than the small hand hold ones though.

Another option to indulge his love of cooking is to let him prepare the meals for family gatherings, and do what he can but let someone else do the cooking or service, so he can still sit but make a major contribution.

Since the onslaught of Covid I’ve become a bit of a crock pot gourmet.

With a one burner convection unit, a crockpot (slow cooker), and a free standing oven unit for baking, a good cook can perform like a chef and still be safe.

See what sort of free standing cooking units you can find online. I bet that for your uncle, the process my a whole lot of fun too.

I use a counter or bar stool myself because of all the cleaning and cooking I end up doing. It helps.
I hope your uncle accepts there will be limitations to what he can do.
Kitchens are also dangerous places no soft surfaces to fall on, hot liquids, sharp objects and potential fires.
There are limits to what you can teach someone how to cook well at a gourmet level.
Cooking and eating is a basic necessity so I wouldn't apply a gourmet standard to it on a daily basis. Perhaps go out to a restaurant once a week instead.
Taking care of a sick person is hard enough.
We're not on a cruise ship and people are tired.

You may have to do a little remodeling to accommodate him. When I replaced my counters I had one extending out so I could put my trashcan under it and it gave me more counter space. I have arthritis in my lower back so can't stand for long lengths of time. I found that I could dip my candy sitting on a high chair at the counter. A friends mother was in a wheelchair. They had a counter added to the end of a cabinet so she could wheel up and use it to eat at. I had a low table connected between two sets if cabinets that DH liked to eat breakfast at. Because I am short, it became my place to roll out cookies and mix batter at. I still have it but now with cabinets underneath.

Chef Paul Prudhomme spent years cooking and doing cooking demonstrations while seated in a high chair. Like a bar height chair.
That might work for your dad.
There are some awesome single burner Induction cook tops that movable and could be placed anywhere that would be comfortable for him. Kitchen table for example. The nice thing about Induction is if he forgets and leaves it on it will not heat up and I think they eventually shut off. They are precise and can be set to an exact temperature. Once you remove the pan from the burner the burner itself is warm but not hot.
Depending on how much you want to spend if you want to redo the kitchen there are cooktops, sinks, cabinets that can all be put in that are adaptable.

**If your dad is a Veteran it is possible that the VA would pay for any changes made so that your dad can remain independent. Check with your local Veterans Assistance Commission.