Aging in place has become many elderly’s preferences in recent years. The more time the elderly spend on their own at home, the more prone they’ll become to accidents and hazards if the home is not safe for them. As we age, we cannot expect to be as fit, quick and strong to maneuver around the kitchen in our 60s as we were in our 20s. That’s why if you have an elderly loved one aging in place, you should consider redesigning a kitchen to make their everyday life more comfortable.
Allow for enough lighting to improve safety
Many elderly face decreased eyesight as they age. That’s why they’ll need as much light as possible in every room, including the kitchen. Make sure you install light switches at easily accessible spots. They should be very easy to use and reach. We suggest you place it near the entrance of the kitchen, within arm’s reach. That way, the elderly will have enough lighting from the room they’re exiting and will be able to reach the switch easily before they can risk hurting themselves on any sharp items or small appliances. An automatic light switch that turns on as soon as a person enters the kitchen would be a great addition to your home. Alternatively, rocker-type light switches would be just as convenient for aging in place home.
Modify the cabinets for accessibility
Another important part of a kitchen redesign are the cabinets. They should be very easy to reach so that the elderly would be out of harm’s way. When it comes to upper cabinets, try to place them around 3 inches lower than their usual height. A pullout step around the perimeter of the floor is a perfect addition for especially tall upper cabinets. If you’re afraid that your loved ones will hurt themselves while trying to overreach when trying to access kitchenware, consider adding a pull-down shelf in your upper cabinets. To make lower cabinets more convenient to use, add pullout shelves which will reduce back strain. Furthermore, they will maximize the storage space as well. Open shelves will allow aging residents to reach the most frequently used items without any fuss. If you need cabinets that offer both convenience and more access, Lazy Susan cabinets are a perfect choice.
Slip-Resistant floors to prevent hazards
The kitchen is the room where slipping is very often, especially when it comes to the elderly. To prevent any hazards, make sure you replace the old flooring with new non-slip tiles, for example. If you opt for a floor covering, make sure it’s non-glare. Cork floor coverings will successfully prevent slipping accidents while allowing for more comfort while standing. People who have hip or lower back pain will have a difficult time standing, so it would be a good idea to provide them with comfortable anti-fatigue mats that will make their time in the kitchen more convenient.
Countertops for the elderly
To make sure your aging loved ones have all the space in the kitchen needed, consider multilevel countertops. Not only will they increase maneuverability, but choice as well. If your elderly residents are having trouble seeing clearly, color-coded edges on countertops will be lifesavers. By giving a visual signal with their vibrant hues, any potential accidents will be successfully prevented. Instead of keeping the sharp 90 degrees corners on countertops, think about installing countertops with rounded corners instead. All the countertops are usually installed at a hip/abdomen level, so any time an elderly person bumps into it, they will be at risk of bruising or more severe injuries. Therefore, rounded countertops will be a much better option. Also, be sure to install an emergency grab handle along the entirety of the countertop to help break a potential fall. That way if a person starts to fall, they can grab a hold of a handle instead of an unattached appliance or utensil.
Final thoughts
Providing the elderly with the utmost comfort in their home is essential for their health and safety. Therefore, to be sure they’re never in harm’s way, do your best to redesign the kitchen in a way that will allow them to live worry-free. Make all the meal prep activities peace of cake by improving the design of the kitchen with the previously mentioned suggestions.
