• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Unable to cook

Annya

Newbie
Messages
2
Both my husband and I are now termed disabled and have care workers who visit twice daily. Because of the Diabetic Neuropathy in my legs I can walk slowly with a Walker, but I can't stand still in one place for long. Even making a coffee is a marathon, I can make it, but getting it back to my chair whilst pushing a walker is difficult.
The problem is when the carers come to make our meals, they only do minimum things like putting a ready meal in the microwave. They're not allowed to use the oven (well they can't put anything in, but they can take it our!!) So I'm sure what I should be eating has gone out of the window. It was a hard fight to even get carers and only did so because when my husband went into hospital I just didn't get fed. I was afraid to ask for help for fear of being put in a home (as had been suggested to me before).
Anyway enough of my rambling, but should I refuse oven meals (from Oakhouse Foods) and if so what do I eat instead?
 
I will have a think. Meanwhile, my mother in law had a sort of trolley. It helped her walk, but it enabled her to move stuff around, would that be something that might help you?
 
Hi and welcome!

That must make things unbelievably difficult.
How are you with getting things in and out of the fridge? When I was attempting low carb in student accommodation without a kitchen, or oven, I used to live for days on cheese, cold sliced meat and coleslaw or bags of salad. My fridge in those days was a carrier bag hung out of my north facing window, or dangled in a sink of cold water! Nowadays there are small fridges that can be stood on a table beside your armchair.

regarding making hot drinks, there are some fab gadgets around nowadays. My Mother in Law has a ‘kettle’ that boils one cup, on demand, at the press of a button. Perhaps you could have one of those beside your chair? Then your carers could just top up the water chamber when they visit.
I believe this is the model she owns
https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/brevil...BjwspVgBFH7ZTIG4GvBjUJN_tty9ONJoaAnZpEALw_wcB

The key to preventing neuropathy from progressing, seems to be keeping blood glucose low and steady, so I would focus on that above everything else.
 
Can't even begin to imagine how difficult life can be for you. I'm just trying to think out of the box for you, I'm sure others will be doing the same.

Apparently Tesco's home delivery drivers are assessed (don't know the exact terminology), so they can enter your home and place food in the fridge for you (was told this by a delivery driver). If you join their delivery saver scheme you'll be able to order as many deliveries as you like for just under £8 a month. Though if you speak to Tesco's customer service, and say you're shielding they might be able to wave the charge.

Can you pop a chicken in the oven, or other piece of meat? Maybe casseroles using prepared vegs? Prepared salads?

There's a few websites that sell kitchen products to help with cooking, here's one https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/kitchen-aids/

Maybe you could do with one of those chairs with wheels so you can scoot around your kitchen?

It must be such a challenge for you..... hope this forum can help.
 
If you click the link in the above post, look for kitchen trolleys.
 
Hi Annya. Welcome to the forum. I'm assuming the careers are council ones, who are very limited in the help they can give re meals. You and your husband could apply for Attendance Allowance, if you don't already receive it, and then you have the freedom to employ private careers who can make meals etc. AA is a non means tested allowance for anyone over 60 who needs help, and has helped a lot of people I know.
As this is a public forum, I realise you may not want to reply to this, and that's fine, just wanted to try to help you.

Edited to add. What about a slow cooker, you could use ready prepared veg etc. Also soup makers are great for lovely home made soup using ready prepared veg. Both of these just get on with it, once you set them going.
There may also be local pubs or restaurants who deliver meals.
Diabetic neuropathy pain is awful, and I'm sorry it's causing you such a problem. Hope you can find a way of making life a bit easier.
 
Last edited:
If you have a local mobility shop, they may have a website. If not you could ring them and they may suggest something.

You can get something called a perching stool so you can sit at a worktop, if your kitchen is large enough. Beware the ones that have splayed legs.
 

Anya - Have you had assessments by Occupational therapists and such like?

When my mother became far less mobile, she didn't have neuropathy, but she did have big issues getting around or standing for any period. The Occy therapy folks were absolutely fantastic, and provided her with all manner of great things - like this here: https://www.nrshealthcare.co.uk/hou...vs-SnmMFTZc3l5XMGtPixj4aAtOiEALw_wcB#229=2180 which meant, she wasn't struggling to walk with a hot cup or mug. It also allowed her to move her food to the table and enjoy her meal, sitting at the table, as she always had done.

For "stuff" in the kitchen, she had a perching stool, a bit like this: https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/...yYMRaH_NYTmsruimvua8nWADHR-diIdAaAq2sEALw_wcB which was set up, so that Mum could be near the kettle to make drinks, but able to perch to rest, whilst the kettle boiled etc. Once she had had it a short while, she used it to prep food.

She had a combi oven, on the worktop, so here was no bending to deal with her food. The Occ ladies provided all sorts of ingenious things. They made a huge difference to Mum's quality of life and her confidence around home.

If you haven't been assessed by them, please ask for it. If it's been a while since they came to you, maybe a revisit would help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…