As we age, we often find ourselves requiring a little more assistance around the house. But who says getting older has to mean giving up your independence? With a few kitchen renovations, you can make your space work better for you, whether that means adding in some extra counter space or making things more accessible. Check out our top tips for aging in place gracefully – your kitchen has never looked so good!
The importance of having a functional and safe kitchen
Over the past few years, many seniors have made the decision to age in place rather than move into assisted living or nursing homes. While this decision can provide greater independence, it also means that seniors must take extra steps to make sure their home is safe and secure.
One important area of focus should be the kitchen, which is a key area for both safety and functionality. The kitchen is one of the most important spaces in the home. It’s the place where we prepare meals, store food, serve and eat meals, entertain our friends and family, and even take care of basic household tasks.
An aging-in-place kitchen should be designed with safety in mind first and foremost. In addition to safety concerns, it’s also important to consider accessibility when designing an aging-in-place kitchen. All of these improvements will ensure that seniors can easily access what they need without having to strain themselves or risk falling from reaching too high or bending down too far. Hence, kitchen renovations can make life easier for people of all ages and provide an attractive addition to any home.
Consider installing a kitchen island for more counter space and storage
Installing a kitchen island provides many great benefits, such as providing more counter space and storage. This feature can be designed with drawers and shelves for convenient access to your items and ingredients, which will help make them easily accessible without having to go far from the appliance or the sink.
Not only does a kitchen island provide extra space for preparing food, but it also ties together the entire décor of your kitchen, making it look more stylish and inviting. Moreover, you’ll have extra storage for some of your larger kitchen items such as pots, pans, and trays.
Ultimately, installing a kitchen island can be a significant component of aging-in-place renovations that make life easier.
Replace your cabinets with drawers to make it easier to access everything
Replacing your cabinets with drawers can make life much easier and grant you access to all of your items easily. Drawers are much easier to open than cabinets, and their low design eliminates the need to reach or stretch for something that is stored up top.
This can help alleviate any physical stress on the body–an especially important benefit for those who are aging in place. Not only that, but it increases storage capabilities because drawers often offer areas for different sizes of dishes, dishes sets, and other kitchen wares that cabinets cannot provide.
Choose appliances that are easy to operate and clean
Safety and convenience should be two major points of focus when selecting new items for the kitchen, as elderly or disabled people may not have the physical agility they once did.
Think intuitive controls, intuitive designs, ergonomic shapes, and materials that are not only easy to wipe down but also long-lasting enough to withstand multiple cleanings over an extended period of time.
Investing in these types of products can make life easier and safer for everyone living in your home.
Install a hands-free faucet so you don’t have to worry about germs
Installing hands-free faucets can provide an extra layer of protection against the spread of germs. Not only do they help prevent cross-contamination while cooking and preparing food, but they also greatly reduce the need to touch unclean surfaces with personal items like purses, cell phones, and keys.
With this handy technology, you won’t have to worry about taking extra time to rinse or dip your hands in soap before doing food prep—talk about convenience!
Lighting Upgrades
Having proper lighting is key for any kitchen renovation project but especially when it comes to aging in place. Bright lights will make it easier to see what you are doing when you are preparing food or cleaning up afterward.
Consider installing under-cabinet lights so that counters and dishes are well-lit without having large overhead posts getting in the way. You might also want to consider motion-sensing lights which will turn on automatically when someone walks into the room – no more fumbling around looking for light switches!
Flooring Matters Too
Flooring can make all the difference in creating an inviting kitchen, especially if you plan to age in place as you head into your later years. Carpet flooring is a great option for kitchen spaces as it provides warmth and comfort underfoot, while still providing the ability to keep clean easily with its stain-resistant qualities.
Plus, these days there are so many options available: textures and colors abound, offering a great opportunity to customize the kitchen space to fit your unique aesthetic.
Whether you choose hardwood floors or carpet, a kitchen renovation that includes proper floor planning can help ensure your kitchen is both beautiful and functional for many years to come.
Conclusion
Remodeling your kitchen to allow for aging in place doesn’t have to be an expensive or time-consuming process. There are a few key things you can do to make sure your kitchen is safe and accessible as you age. With some simple modifications, you can stay in your home and maintain your independence for years to come.
