How to Design a Kitchen for Seniors
Anticipating the needs of today's aging population has resulted in universal kitchen design to accommodate every phase in an individual's adult life, from raising a family to staying in the same home through their golden years. As defined by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), "aging in place means remaining in one's home safely, independently, and comfortably; regardless of age, income or ability level." With that in mind, designing a kitchen for seniors means planning how every inch of the space is to be used today and how it may be used in the future. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Draw the kitchen floor area to scale on graph paper. One foot scaled down to one inch works well.
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Plan the entry with 32 inches of clear space for possible wheelchair use.
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Specify appliances like a side-by-side refrigerator or bottom freezer model for easy access. Have an electric cooktop with level burners to easily transfer pots and pans between burners. A wall oven or side-swing oven is best. Use a raised dishwasher. Place the microwave at 28- to 32-inch height so it will be within easy reach and sight of users. Look for appliances with touch-pad, front controls and easy-to-read numbers. Indicate all appliances on your floor plan.
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Allow a 30-inch by 48-inch clear floor space by all appliances and a 60-inch clear floor space for turns within the floor space to accommodate wheelchair use. Indicate clear floor space on your plan.
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Vary the heights of countertops. While 36 inches is the standard height of countertops, include some open ones that are 28 to 32 inches high for seated users. For tall users, 42- to 45-inch high countertops accommodate standing tasks and snack-bar use. Always plan a "dish landing" adjacent to or opposite all appliances. Add countertops to your design and indicate heights.
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Place top cabinets three inches lower than conventional height for easier access. Plan pull-out shelves, open shelves and lazy Susans to keep items within easy reach. Glass-front cabinet doors let users easily recognize items needed. Instead of lower cabinets, use drawer systems that provide interior storage systems for spices, bottles, flatware and more. Have built-in trash receptacles and recycling bins to avoid items that easily trip seniors. Instead of knobs, specify easy-to-grip lever or loop handles. Use a separate piece of graph paper to indicate cabinets and their features.
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Plan to use antislip flooring materials like slate-look ceramic, preferably in light colors, so spills and dropped items are easy to see.
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Select rounded bottom sinks for easy cleaning that are seven inches deep for easy reach. Use a faucet that converts to a spray. Look for a large grip, lever handle which controls both water volume and temperature.
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Use as much task lighting as possible. Put lighting under all top-mounted cabinets.
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Tips & Warnings
Consult with a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) before finalizing your design plan. Many builders, remodelers, architects and interior designers now specialize in universal design.
Avoid small tiles with hard-to-clean grout lines.
Use heat-resistant, easy-to-clean countertop materials like granite and glass.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Kitchen image by armanxo from Fotolia.com
