To all wise seniors
My 77-year-old mother loves to cook and has had several kitchen-related accidents over the past year. What are some tips for making the kitchen safer and more practical for seniors without a major, expensive remodel?
Asking Daughter
To customers who have made inquiries
There are several small improvements and easy changes you can make to make your mom's kitchen safer and more user-friendly. Here are some tips for different aspects of the kitchen, depending on your mom's needs:
Lighting: If your mom’s kitchen lighting needs improvement, replace the old ceiling light fixtures with bright new overhead lights and add LED lighting under the upper kitchen cabinets to brighten the kitchen countertops.
Floors: If you have rugs in your kitchen, replace them with non-slip floor mats to prevent tripping and slipping, or consider using gel mats that are cushioned and comfortable for long periods of standing. GelPro.com and WellnessMats.com offer great selections.
Cabinets and Drawers: To reduce bending and reaching, organize cabinets and drawers in Mom's kitchen so the items she uses most often are within easy reach. You can also make lower cabinets and pantries easier to access by installing pull-out or swivel shelves, and installing pull-down shelves in upper cabinets (see Rev-a-shelf.com) means you won't have to get up on a stool to reach items on higher shelves. We also recommend replacing cabinet and drawer knobs with “D” or “C” shaped pull handles, which are easier to grip than knobs for arthritic hands.
Faucets: If your mom has a kitchen faucet with a screw-on handle, replace it with an ADA-compliant single-handle faucet or a touch, motion, or digital smart faucet. They're easier to operate, especially if she has arthritis in her hands or grip strength issues. And to be safe, set the hot water tank to 120 degrees to prevent water burns.
Microwave and stove safety: If Mom's microwave is installed on top of the stove, consider moving it or buying a mini countertop microwave so she can put food in and take it out without reaching over the stove. And if you're worried Mom will forget to turn off the stove, there are automatic power-off devices you can buy and install to prevent fires. iGuardStove (iGuardFire.com) makes the best smart power-off devices for gas and electric stoves. And to prevent microwave fires, there's the SmartMicro Microwave Power-Off Device from Pioneering Technology (PioneeringTech.com).
Shopping for home appliances
If you are thinking about upgrading your mom’s appliances, keep some of the features mentioned here in mind.
Refrigerators: French door refrigerators that open in the middle are great for seniors as they allow easy visibility and access to the contents. Pull-out, height-adjustable shelves and water/ice dispensers on the outside of the door are also very convenient.
Stove or countertop: Look for one with controls on the front, so Mom can turn it off without reaching for a hot burner. And make sure the controls are easy to see. Flat-surface electric or induction burners, or continuous grates on a gas stove, also make it easy to slide heavy pots and pans from burner to burner. Also ask if the burners turn off automatically.
Oven: An oven with a self-cleaning feature is a plus. Consider a model with a side-opening door, which makes it easier to get into the oven without having to lean over a hot swinging door. Also consider a wall-mounted oven, which can be placed at mom's preferred height so she doesn't have to bend over.
Dishwasher: Consider a dishwasher with a sliding drawer for easy access and, if possible, install it 12 to 24 inches above the floor so you can load and unload dishes without bending over.
Washers and dryers: Front-loading washers and dryers with pedestals that rise about 24 inches also reduce back strain and make them easier to access.
Questions about seniors can be sent to Savvy Senior, PO Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior.”
