Many seniors want to be able to age in place, but as dexterity, mobility, and cognition decrease over time, a once-safe home can become potentially dangerous. Safety modifications can make many rooms in your home safer, including the kitchen. While some kitchen updates require a renovation, there are plenty of senior-friendly kitchen update ideas that can make your kitchen safer no matter your budget. Here are several kitchen update options for different budgets.
Free or low-cost kitchen updates
A kitchen renovation may not be an option for seniors who are on a budget, but they can still make their kitchens safer. Here are a few free or low-cost kitchen update ideas.
Reorganize so high-use items are within reach
Kitchens can become unorganized over time, especially if you’ve lived in your home for decades. Accessing items in hard-to-reach places can cause overstretched muscles, falls, and other accidents. Reorganizing your kitchen to make it more senior-friendly can make a big difference. Here are some kitchen reorganization ideas to try if they suit your mobility:
- Put items you use daily in the most accessible cabinets and items you rarely use in higher or lower cabinets.
- Avoid stacking items that could topple, and use cabinet shelf organizers, bins, and other organizational accessories to keep everything in order.
- Pot hooks can make it easy to reach pots and pans without having to stack them in cupboards. You can hang pots above the stove, kitchen island, or against the wall for easy access.
Put a stool in the kitchen
People spend a lot of time on their feet in the kitchen, which can become more difficult with age. Instead of standing at the counter to chop vegetables and do other kitchen-related tasks, keep a stool in the kitchen for a place to sit while you’re working. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering adding a stool to your kitchen:
- Make sure there is enough room in your kitchen to accommodate a stool without causing obstructed walkways, which could be an additional hazard.
- Choose a stool that’s high enough that you can reach the counter comfortably.
- It should have a back and a rung or step to help you climb into the seat easily.
- Arms on the stool can also be helpful to provide stability while you’re working.
- A swivel stool may make working at the counter easier, but make sure it won’t cause you to fall out of the seat.
Keep countertops clear
Clutter can cause problems in the kitchen. Flammable items like piles of mail and grocery bags can easily catch fire when near the stovetop, and piled items can topple and become trip hazards. Unused appliances add to countertop clutter. Here are some considerations for keeping your counters clear of clutter:
- Find places to put everything so that your countertops are clear. For example, junk mail can go in a dedicated drawer, shopping bags can hang in the pantry, and unused appliances can be put away in cabinets.
- Use dedicated containers or dishes for items you want to keep out, such as your keys.
Budget-friendly kitchen updates for seniors
With a little money to spend on an update, there are even more options to make your kitchen safer. Here are a few budget-friendly ideas.
Create a slip-resistant floor
Kitchens are a prime location for falls, as food preparation and spills can create slippery floors. Replacing your floor entirely with a slip-resistant surface can be expensive, but there are budget-friendly options that don’t require you to tear up your existing floor:
- Slip-resistant mats are the easiest fix and a great way to reduce tripping hazards. Place them in front of the sink, the stove, and surfaces you frequently use. Oversized mats and runners enable you to cover your entire kitchen floor. The corners of heavier mats and runners are less likely to flip up and cause you to trip.
- If you want a more permanent solution, consider a nonslip sealer or floor paint. Products for stone, wood, and vinyl can be applied to your existing floor to give it a nonslip texture without compromising its look.
Replace cabinet knobs with handles
Traditional knobs can become progressively more difficult to use as age and medical conditions, like arthritis, can decrease dexterity over time. Knobs can also potentially catch on belt loops, purse straps, and other articles of clothing and cause a fall. Replacing cabinet knobs with handles is an easy and relatively affordable kitchen update.
- Choose handles with rounded edges to prevent potential injuries or the catching of garments.
- Drawer cup pulls are a great choice because they’re rounded and have a large surface area to grip and pull. They come in different finishes to match your kitchen and are an affordable way to make using your cabinets and drawers easier and safer.
Install extra light sources
Inadequate lighting on counters and floors can be difficult for people with vision issues. Not seeing a knife on the counter, for example, can cause injury, as can having difficulty seeing what is on the floor. Installing additional lighting is a quick kitchen update that will properly illuminate all surfaces and help you avoid injury or falls.
- LED lighting can easily be hung underneath upper cabinets with adhesive so you can see the countertop more clearly.
- You can also install LED lighting along baseboards to illuminate the floor.
- Consider adding small lamps on countertops and motion-sensor or push-button lighting inside cabinets and in the pantry.
Senior-friendly kitchen renovation ideas
A kitchen renovation can be the most effective way to make your space more senior-friendly. It’s also one of the best choices if you plan to remain in your space for many years to come. Here are some kitchen renovation ideas that will help keep you safe.
Update the layout and counter heights
Your kitchen’s layout may be inefficient, with appliances located far apart. High countertops may also cause issues for people who use wheelchairs or who have difficulty standing for long periods. Here are some remodeling ideas that may help:
- If possible, rework the layout to keep appliances close together. You might consider remodeling your kitchen floor plan using the concept of “the working triangle,” which keeps the refrigerator, sink, and oven in a triangle to reduce excess movement around the kitchen.
- You may also want to consider adding a lower countertop. A lower counter is helpful for people who use a wheelchair, but it can also be a comfortable place to sit while you’re doing food prep instead of standing at the counter.
Update your stove
The stove has the potential to be a fire hazard. You can greatly reduce the risk of fire and burns by upgrading to a new stove with safety features. Consider the following:
- Look for a stove with front-mounted range knobs. They reduce the risk of accidental burns because there’s no need to reach over a hot surface to turn the burners on and off.
- Some ovens have an audible alarm if they have been on for longer than usual. It may also be a good idea to upgrade to a stove with an automatic shutoff feature or a smart oven that allows you to remotely monitor and shut it off through a smartphone app.
Install pull-out or pull-down shelves
Reaching to grab something from the back of a cabinet can be dangerous and cause strains or falls. Here are some ideas to help with this concern:
- Pull-out shelves can make cabinets more accessible. They essentially turn your cabinets into drawers so you can pull the entire shelf out and reach what is in the back.
- Pull-down shelves can be handy for upper cabinets. They feature a mechanism that allows you to pull the entire set of shelves out of the cabinet and down toward the countertop, so there’s no need to stand on a step stool to reach the highest shelves in your kitchen.
Create a senior-friendly kitchen with updates that fit any budget
No matter how much money you have, there are kitchen updates you can try that will make your space more senior-friendly so you can enjoy the benefits of aging in place. Start small and be willing to make adjustments over time, and you can design a kitchen that is functional and safe.
