{"id":9774,"date":"2024-01-06T23:04:54","date_gmt":"2024-01-06T15:04:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.stoneamperor.com.sg\/?p=9774"},"modified":"2024-03-27T13:00:28","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T05:00:28","slug":"5-kitchen-design-tips-for-elderly-living-parents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/www.stoneamperor.com.sg\/5-kitchen-design-tips-for-elderly-living-parents\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Kitchen Design Tips for Elderly Living Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With age, even simple tasks can become difficult<\/strong>. Throw navigating through slippery floors, digging through deep drawers and poor lighting into the mix, the kitchen can instantly become a scary space<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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If your elderly parents are living with you, or by themselves, it is probably best to remodel the kitchen<\/strong>. A\u00a0well-organized household makes life easier for those who prefer to live independently.\u00a0Plus, being able to take care of everyday tasks on their own enhances their mood and self-esteem.<\/span><\/p>\n

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When you design a kitchen with these vision in mind, the following 5 kitchen design tips<\/strong> would help make the kitchen<\/span> safer and easier to navigate<\/strong><\/a> for your elderly living parents<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Bright Lights<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

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A well-lit kitchen<\/strong> is a safe kitchen for elderly living parents. With worsening eyesight, insufficient lighting<\/strong>\u00a0can be dangerous when they are working with knives and hot appliances.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Therefore, you should make sure there is adequate lighting<\/strong> especially in the high traffic areas of\u00a0the kitchen.\u00a0Under-cabinet lighting will help to illuminate work areas that would otherwise be dark.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Natural light<\/strong> as well as a combination of ceiling,<\/span> sink<\/strong><\/a> and countertop lights will help the elderly spot and access items better. Having the right lighting in the kitchen would ultimately prevent accidents, create a more suitable work environment and reduce eye strain.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Functional Countertops\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

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Choose a countertop<\/strong><\/a> that is in a different color<\/strong> from the kitchen cabinets. Also make sure the edges are of\u00a0different shade<\/strong> as this distinction in color tones will make it easier for weak eyes to spot things.<\/span><\/p>\n

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If your elderly parent is wheelchair-bound, then consider lowering the countertops<\/strong> so it is easier for them to work from a seated position. Otherwise,\u00a0a high corner table or kitchen island will be a cheaper solution as it probably fits a wheelchair underneath and is at the right height for food preparation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Countertops<\/strong><\/a> should have rounded edges<\/strong>. The last thing you want is to hit your hip or elbow on a sharp corner as you move around your kitchen. Round edges will reduce the likelihood of bumps and bruises.<\/span><\/p>\n

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3.\u00a0<\/b>Accessible Storage<\/span><\/h2>\n

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A\u00a0zero-cost accessible upgrade\u00a0to the kitchen is to evaluate item arrangement. In this case, pull-out drawers would provide hassle-free access<\/strong> to elderly parents.<\/span><\/p>\n

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It is much safer for them to pull drawers towards them instead of having to crouch down to search inside a lower cabinet or using a step stool to get things in higher cabinets.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The best part about drawers is that they display all your kitchenware and utensils at once<\/strong>, which allows for easy grabbing. You don\u2019t have to get on your knees and peer into the back of the cabinet to see what\u2019s available.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Alternatively, choose open shelves<\/strong> to store frequently-used items like spices and cookware. Don’t forget to lower its height<\/strong> so elders can get them with ease.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Wall-Mounted Appliances<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

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Microwaves and ovens usually<\/span> eat up a lot of space in kitchen<\/strong><\/a> due to their considerable size. On top of that, placing them near wet areas might pose a safety risk. Hence, wall-mounted\u00a0appliances<\/strong> are preferred because they allow installation at a convenient height<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Whether the microwave is free-standing or built-in, placing it at or below counter height is best for elderly parents’ back since it reduces the frequency of bending and reaching above their shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n

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If you don\u2019t want to sacrifice counter space, the next best solution is to insert the microwave under the counter<\/strong>. In this way, you can easily set a heavy plate down below you rather than lifting it up.<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. Safe Floors<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

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The floor can easily be overlooked because changing it possibly implies an incoming significant kitchen renovation<\/strong>.\u00a0Nevertheless, make it the top priority<\/strong> for the sake of your elderly parents because spills that are not easily cleaned can lead to slips and falls.<\/span><\/p>\n

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If you have vitrified tiles or<\/span> marble flooring<\/strong><\/a>, the risk from falls should\u00a0be taken seriously.\u00a0Anti-skid flooring<\/strong> will give elders a better grip while walking, and won\u2019t cause mishaps even if they use a walker.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Furthermore, you should make sure the floors are slip-resistant<\/strong>. Use non-slip flooring tiles<\/strong> that are made with a slightly gritty texture to prevent falls from slipping. For instance,<\/span> vinyl flooring<\/strong><\/a> can offer good slip resistance and it is softer on your feet as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The kitchen is the heart of the home<\/strong><\/a>, but when someone is unable to safely or easily move through this important hub, life becomes difficult. Thus, it is of utmost importance<\/strong> to make kitchen a safer space for your elderly parents.<\/span><\/p>\n

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As you can see, minor tweaks can often make huge differences<\/strong>. When you can think of an area of the kitchen that might pose a threat to your parents, you will be able to adapt the work area in ways that can make independent living easier and safer<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Of course, if your budget is sufficient, you can do a lot to fully customize the kitchen to be<\/span> accessible to the needs<\/strong><\/a> of your elderly living parents. However, the very concept is to make\u00a0living and work spaces equally comfortable, safe, and accessible for all<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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