#5 - Making A Senior Friendly Kitchen

Aging In Place Directory

There are 10 areas to focus on to make the kitchen a safe place for seniors:

• Fire Safety is first and foremost the very first thing that should be addressed.
• Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors are necessary tools in your kitchen. Just be sure to check / test them on a regular basis.
• Modifications to organize the kitchen to decrease clutter, decrease excess mobility and help with fall prevention.
• Re-arranging cabinets, drawers, pantry and refrigerator to make it easier to reach for things, especially heavy items.
• Keeping small appliances at easy reach such as waist level on counters or table.
• Ample Lighting is often overlooked but so important as older adults’ vision tends to decrease.
• Anti Slip Flooring to help decrease fall risks.
• Senior Friendly Appliances that are equipped with safety monitors, automatic shut-off devices, alarms and are also easy to use.
• Maintenance of kitchen equipment is important to keep things running smoothly and minimize possible hazards.
• Useful Tools and Gadgets that allow older adults to be as independent and safe as possible.
• Kitchen Chairs are often overlooked as a safety factor for seniors. Many older adults use kitchen chairs with coasters to make it easier to move the chair but these could end up causing an injury.
• Removing Sharp Objects for homes with seniors who are suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
• Cooking safety tips for seniors – besides avoiding loose clothing when cooking, we have even more tips on kitchen safety issues concerning cooking

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