Four Kitchen Modifications for Elderly Residents

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As we age, kitchen renovations become less about improving the room’s functionality with increased storage space or upgraded appliances and more about keeping the area accessible and safe. However, because of how hazardous kitchens can be, not everyone knows where to start to make them less dangerous.

Below we’ll examine four common kitchen modifications for elderly residents hoping to keep their kitchens usable for the long haul.

High-Traction Flooring

The perfect kitchen flooring for older residents should be comfortable to stand on for extended periods, be slip-resistant, easy to remove spills from, and have minimal glare from kitchen lights.

Wood floors are the most slip-resistant kitchen flooring options and one of the most visually pleasing. It’s also easy to clean spills from wood for even more protection from slip-and-fall accidents. 

Tile flooring is another popular option with slip resistance as strong as wood, and some people prefer tile’s modern aesthetic over wood floor’s classic appearance. However, tile is tougher on feet than wood and could be taxing to stand on for prolonged periods if you have chronic back pain.  

Upgraded Lighting

With cornered countertops, sharp cutlery, and high-temperature stovetops, the kitchen is the most dangerous room in your home. Poor lighting only makes those hazards harder to spot, especially for elderly people with vision struggles.

Fortunately, the best way to keep your kitchen safe is the easiest modification you can make: improving your lighting. Even something as simple as replacing old bulbs with LED bulbs with brighter, less-harsh light illuminates kitchens enough to make them a safe space.

If you want to go the extra mile, you can install additional light fixtures around the cabinets and above your appliances for maximum visibility. 

Easy-to-Use Handles and Sink

Since traditional round twist handles on kitchen cabinets are challenging to operate with age, replacing them with more manageable handles is one of the most beneficial kitchen modifications for elderly residents. 

Our excellent remodeling contractors in Tucson, AZ, at Pro Remodeling have state-of-the-art loop handles that are simple to grip, turn, and pull open. They’re great for cabinets and pantries, but we can also install similar handles for your kitchen sink.

Safe Countertops

Kitchen countertops with sharp angles that protrude into the walking space can cause severe injuries to anyone who walks into them, especially as you age. Opting for counters with rounded edges or ones that are flush with your cabinets can improve your kitchen’s safety. 

While shrinking your counter space can make your kitchen more inconvenient, it will limit your risk for slip and fall accidents. You can always offset the downsize by installing a kitchen island.

Hire a Kitchen Remodeler Today

Hopefully, these ideas for kitchen modifications for elderly residents gave you ideas for your next home remodeling project. If you’re ready to commit to a renovation, there’s no better team to call in Tucson than Pro Remodeling.

Contact our team today at (520) 745-9769 to schedule a consultation or learn when you should consider remodeling a kitchen with an island.