As we get older, many seniors decide that they’d like to remain in their homes as long as they can. However, their changing physical requirements require a thorough examination of the house to ensure that it can meet the needs necessary to allow you to stay there. Kitchens are the root cause of more than 14% of all elderly home accidents and are brimming with hazards that could make a living at home difficult. Are you wondering whether your Ottawa kitchen is accessible to Aging in Place?
Clearance in the Kitchen
you plan to access your Ottawa kitchen with an accessible wheelchair; you’ll be able to navigate around the kitchen. A wheelchair needs a minimum floor area of 30 to 48 inches to move around a space quickly. Kitchens with two entrances require at least 40 inches of space to allow the wheelchair to move soon. U-shaped kitchens with a single door, cabinets, or work surfaces on three sides need 60 in length.
Countertops and Sinks
If you’re sitting in a wheelchair, the countertops might seem like they’re far away if your kitchen is used by disabled people regularly. If that is the situation, you might prefer to install an adjustable countertop that can be adjusted to raise and lowered by the requirements of the person who uses it. Also, it is worth noting that it is possible to have adjustable countertops placed lower than traditional countertop options, allowing users to work further from their lap than feasible. Wheelchair countertop space must be easily accessible below, as you’ll need to put either your feet or the entire bulk of your chair underneath.
Ensure all sinks have the same level of access. Be aware that you’ll require 27 inches of clearance under the sink to accommodate your knees. The placement of basins with a height of 31 inches makes it easier to access all the sink surfaces, including the faucet and sprayer, without difficulty.
Ovens Stoves as well as Cooking Tools
If you’re a person who uses a wheelchair, cooking can present particular issues. It is especially beneficial since shaking hands can make it difficult to grasp these essential food items. Those with wheelchairs can benefit from wall-mounted or cabinets set inside because they can adjust for an appropriate opening level, and the user does not have to bend to insert or remove items.
Accessible Appliances
You’re not planning to take up all the space with all the appliances in your kitchen! There’s a good chance that you’re working with an insufficient amount of counter space available to use in your kitchen, even if you’ve entirely redesigned your kitchen to ensure that you can reach every counter utilizing a wheelchair. Pull-out mechanisms allow a device to be more user-friendly and make it easy to put them away after you’ve finished the food cooking.
Accessible Storage
When you cook with a wheelchair, storage becomes more of a problem. You must arrange kitchen items in areas easily accessible by wheelchair to be fully accessible. Accordingly, you should keep your storage space between 15-48 inches above the floor, as long as you can reach it. An obstruction should not be taller than 10 inches to facilitate full access to your kitchen items.
If you’re lacking storage space within your home and you’re trying to make it easier to access, there are a few options you can take to simplify the process. Make sure that the things you use frequently are easier to access than those that don’t. For instance, the tea set that comes out every other or two times a year to have tea with the grandchildren can be set up on a taller cabinet in the kitchen, while the cookware and pots you use to cook your meals every day must be within reach. The next step is to regularly reduce the amount of kitchen equipment you utilize in your kitchen. Use appliances with multiple uses accessible quickly and eliminate those intended exclusively for specific purposes.
Be Proactive and Have Fun
being aware of the importance of organizing your kitchen before and after a renovation could be a lengthy process. It may take time to figure out what you require to be easily accessible and which items aren’t necessary. But over time, you’ll be able to work just as effectively in your kitchen as you did before. Designing your kitchen to be accessible for wheelchair users may require some time however it can enable you to stay in your home for longer than you would have been in the past, and it’s entertaining! When you begin to plan your home for future requirements, you’ll realize that you’re not just gaining peace of mind but also enjoying that fresh kitchen smell.
Get in touch with Ottawa Home Pros at (613) 288-9145 or send an email to us at info@ottawahomepros.com today to request a quote.
