Elder Proofing A Kitchen To Keep Seniors Safe

Elder proofing a kitchen is one of the most important things to do to minimise risk to a senior citizen. It is the only place in the home where fire, water & ice are present so extra care should be taken to ensure a kitchen is elder proof.

To elder proof a kitchen you need to assess the following areas:

• The floor
• The stove / hob
• The refrigerator
• The freezer
• The worktops & drawers
• The utensils

Independence is important to all of us as we age so it is recommended that when elder proofing a kitchen you don’t just seal up all the drawers and make the kitchen off-limits. It’s just about minimising the risk of injury as far as possible for someone who may not have the best balance or coordination.

Elder proofing a kitchen floor

With cooking, comes grease and grime which can make kitchen floors slippery and hazardous to seniors. To elder proof a kitchen floor there are a few things you can try.

Non-slip floor mats

Non-slip floor mats can be a great option that can easily be introduced. Place them in the areas where a senior citizen may spend most of their time like in front of the sink, the area they prepare food and also in front of the stove / oven.

Ease of access

Make sure there are no trip hazards when entering the kitchen. if there is any kind of step or incline then it would be good to introduce some grab bars so a senior can steady themselves when walking into the kitchen.

Non-slip flooring

Floor tile should have enough grout and texture to grip your feet. Porcelain tile absorbs less moisture than ceramic tile or other flooring types; it’s also easy to maintain and clean.

A more extreme version of the non-slip mat is to recoat the entire floor in a non-slip resin or paint. However, be careful with this option as it can quickly begin to look too sterile like a hospital or garage rather than a homely environment.

Elder proofing a kitchen stove / hob

Elder proofing a kitchen stove or hob is one of the more difficult areas to keep safe as no matter what you do there is always going to be a risk of burning to anyone not paying attention.

However, there are a couple of things to consider when elder proofing a kitchen stove.

Electric over gas

we consider electric hobs as a much better option for senior citizens as gas hobs tend to have a metal grill over the top which can make a hot saucepan unstable if it isn’t put on correctly.

An induction hob is probably the best option as it heats up very quickly and also cools down quickly. You can also get things like a fireAngel StoveGuard which can alert to an electric hob being left on by accident.

Induction hobs do need proper cookware so also consider this if you are implementing one.

Automatic Fire Extinguishers

Automatic Fire Extinguishers can be installed under the range hood to ensure that any accidental fires are dealt with automatically. They are simple small cans with heat-triggered nozzles that will automatically dispense in the case of a fire. It is the same principle as the sprinkler systems in hotels. If a fire occurs it melts the seal and the fire retardant is released.

Microwaves as an Alternative to a Stove

These days seniors are normally accepting of using a microwave instead of a stove.

Once they start using and discover how quickly they can cook food it becomes a preferred option. It allows family members to prepare batches of frozen food that they simply have to heat up. If you are buying one then look for a simple microwave for seniors with only a few buttons or settings to avoid confusions. If necessary, tape labels on the buttons to help seniors understand.

It is also important that microwave guidelines are understood. This means things like never using aluminium foil or metal containers and never heating up sealed objects.

Elder proofing a refrigerator and freezer

The refrigerator and freezer are another important part when elder proofing a kitchen. There are a few things to adapt to protect seniors when they are using them.

Get separate appliances

We suggest this for a couple of reasons but the main one is that if possible get both appliances at worktop height so that it minimises any need for bending.

Having a refrigerator and freezer at waist height is also beneficial for cleaning and maintaining

Things like washing machines or tumble dryers can fit underneath but can also be used for storage etc.

Install a thermometer

If the refrigerator doesn’t have a thermometer on the outside then buy one for the inside so that you can see every time you visit that food is being kept as the correct temperature. There are many options for shelf-mounted or hanging ones, so just go for one that fits in well.

Don’t squeeze in food

For fridges and freezers to work, the door has to be shut. If you squeeze in food that can cause the door to open slightly and the cold escaping will ruin all the food in there. Make sure that a seniors fridge has the essentials and also a supply of other items but don’t overfill the refrigerator / freezer

Elder proofing a kitchen worktop, sink and drawers

Food doesn’t chop itself so there will always be risks with sharp utensils in the kitchen but there are some tips that you can follow to make sure that the worktop, sink and drawers of a senior citizen are as safe as they can be.

Keep it clear & organised

A clear worktop and organised drawers can help to protect seniors as they will not be trying to perform kitchen tasks in restricted places.

Everything should have a place and labelling up drawers can help keep things in order. What we are trying to avoid is a senior citizen rummaging through drawers because they can’t find something and accidentally cutting themselves.

Keep everything in a logical place, if there is a food preparation area by the hob then all utensils should be near there too to avoid moving around the kitchen too much which could cause a slip or fall.

Have a separate area for tea & coffee making that is self-contained with everything from mugs to sugar and stirring utensils.

Install pullout trays in cupboards

Pullout trays can be installed for everything from pantry items to cupboards that have appliances in. This will make it so much easier for a senior to get the item they want without having to dive into the cupboard or pantry.

Replace blind corner cupboards

While blind corner cupboards do hold a lot of items they do require deep digging sometimes to get the item you want. Rotating trays can be a solution here and also corner drawers that pull out can have a nice look.

Elder proofing garbage disposal

Depending on your particular circumstance you may want to disconnect the garbage disposal. It can be particularly hazardous for a senior who needs additional care as they may place dangerous items or even their hands into the garbage disposal.

Promote things like composting rather than garbage disposal. If they are an avid gardener they may prefer this.

General kitchen elder proofing tips

Visit regularly – prepare batches of food and deliver them regularly it will give you a chance to inspect the home for any further senior proofing opportunities.

Get a cleaner – After elder proofing a kitchen, having a regular cleaner is one of the most effective ways to maintain the safety standards. They can clean out the refrigerator regularly to ensure good hygiene and also remove any grease from the floor to minimise slips and falls

Improve the lighting – make sure that the kitchen is bright and welcoming. We want a safe cooking space for our loved ones. adding some extra lighting makes sure that seniors can see everything they are doing. If the cupboards or worktops are still too dark then you can consider installing under-cabinet lighting to help out.

Test the outlets – A job for a qualified electrician but it is important that the outlets in a kitchen are tested so that there is no risk of electrocution when your loved one plugs something in