To be usable for wheelchair occupants, a countertop should be no higher than 34” above the floor. Lowered breakfast bars with space below, also work well with wheelchairs. The illustrations here denote counter heights for best use with wheelchairs.
Problematic countertops may need to be replaced. Rounded corners on countertops reduce contact injuries that are likely to occur with sharp corners in place. Use low-reflective materials for countertop finishes to reduce glare while using them. If new counters are being ordered, specify a colorful edge banding to help define countertop edges, especially if the counter and the floor below would otherwise be similar in shade, color, and appearance.
Kitchen Cabinets
Whether cabinets will continue to be used will likely depend on how difficult they are to use.
- If possible, replace base cabinets containing shelving with drawer base cabinets.
- Lower upper cabinets to make them easier to reach by seated or shrinking residents.
- Base cabinets with pull-out drawers and/or Lazy Susan’s are easier to use than base cabinets with shelves.
- Consider installing sections of open shelving for frequently used items.
- Ideally, these shelves should be no lower than waist level and no higher than shoulder level.
- Pull-down shelving also works well for use by seniors.
- Pantries or pantry cabinets reduce the need to store food in upper cabinets.
Do not install any cabinets, like those often placed above stoves, that must be reached by leaning over potentially hot surfaces.
Changing cabinet accessories can also make them easier to use.
- Soft-closing cabinets are the most preferred.
- Round knobs and doors and drawers without hardware are difficult to use, especially for occupants with arthritis.
- Loop cabinet pulls work best for aged fingers.
- Lighting mounted below upper cabinets can supplement general overhead lighting.
- These under-cabinet lights even come in motion-controlled varieties.
- Glass doors on cabinets, or the use of labels on doors, will help residents determine their contents.
If dealing with dementia, lockable cabinets may be needed for some medications, or to restrict access to foods to which a resident is allergic or sensitive.
Floor Space
Besides establishing or maintaining work triangles, kitchen layouts must include space to approach appliances and task areas. These example layouts illustrate the space needed to do so.
In addition to these required widths, it should be verified that there is a clear space of 30” by 48” in front of each appliance and a turn-around space with a 60” diameter. Thoughts on specific appliances follow.
Floor space should be available beside dishwashers to easily load them. Raise dishwashers if needed for easier access and make sure they have easy-to-read controls. There are even drawer dishwashers now available that can be mounted under a counter, ideal for use whether standing or seated.
Do not mount microwaves above stoves. It is far safer to have them sitting on countertops, mounted on a wall, or placed in lower cabinets.
To maximize access by users in wheelchairs or scooters, use side-by-side refrigerator/freezer combinations, or a unit with the freezer drawer located at the bottom.
Stoves
Stoves are the appliances most often needing to be changed for safety reasons. When replacing these, avoid gas appliances. Electric or induction cooktops are much safer. If dementia is a concern, use a lockable cover or kill switch, with the switch hidden somewhere it is not obvious. A downdraft feature on a stove can draw heat away from the user. Lights should indicate when the surface is still hot.
Side swings or wall ovens are the best choices for this appliance. If using a wall-mounted oven, place it at a height to minimize bending and lifting.
Provide anti-tipping brackets on free-standing appliances, especially on stoves.
Kitchen sinks may also need to be modified for continued use by those with physical limitations.
- Sinks should be shallow enough so that faucets can still be reached by a user in a sitting position.
- Faucets should be replaced with those using lever-style handles and incorporating pull-out spray faucets.
- Faucets should have mixing valves incorporating anti-scald protection.
- Faucet rotation should be limited to prevent spills on adjacent counters.
- Faucets with sensors can even be obtained, which eliminates any need to use hands.
- Pedal controls also enable hands-free use of faucets.
If knee space is created below a sink for chair access, any exposed piping will need to be covered or wrapped to prevent burns on the lower legs.
Timing Renovations for Aging in Place
How soon should we be thinking about making changes to our homes? I guess that would depend on how sure we can be, of exactly when accidents or some other event will occur, making it difficult to safely use our existing residence. But those seem difficult to schedule.
I recommend beginning with simple changes now, that are of maximum benefit. (grab bars, night lighting, safer rugs, eliminating steps up and down, and so forth) to spread out the costs of making changes over time.
