Kitchen ideas for elderly

firsttimebuyer2013

Hi folks, if anyone could help that would be great.

Basically my elderly parents are considering replacing their 30 year old kitchen. It's only a small kitchen, but I'm wondering what's available out there to make things easier for them. I was thinking a set of pan drawers so they don't have to bend over and into a cupboard, just leaning down.

Are there any clever ideas for wall units. They really do need them for storage due to the lack of space, but right now they can't reach the top shelves. I guess the rotating tray things for corner cupboards?

Also, they both like the freestanding cookers with the grill at the top. They won't have the grill in the oven. The downside of this is stuff/food falls down the gaps making cleaning more difficult. Do the ovens with the grill directly above the oven fit under standard height units? Do they need to be housed?

If anyone has any links or suggestions it would be much appreciated. Want to get an idea of what's out there being going to places for designs.

Thanks

ic

I'd recommend fitting all units below the worktop with drawers rather than as cupboards with shelves - it avoids ever having to bend or crouch to get to the back - meaning you can make full use of the space available. Get a double oven and house it in a tall unit - that way putting things in is easy (again no stooping with hot trays). Get an induction hob - as controllable as gas, but if forgotten about will turn itself off.

Kiran

For high level cupboards you get an insert which pulls down to make things accessible. For the lower units either the drawers as suggested or full extension racks to avoid having to mess about inside the cupboards. All options readily available from howdens, benchmarx etc.

suki1964

I have a selection of drawers, pull out racks and turntables on all my low cupboards. My favourite cupboard is my larder, all the shelves pull out individually so nice and light and everything is easily seen and reached

I got high top cupboards which I knew I would never reach the top shelf off but it's ok as I use those for storage of the things I don't use daily or weekly, like the posh coffee set, the Christmas cake tin etc etc

Even under the sink is a pull out, with the bin one side and cleaning products the other

There are so many new ideas out there for storage solutions I think mum and dad need to go see a few kitchen suppliers to make up their minds on what will make things easier for them

babyblooz

If you go to How Dens they will come out and talk through their needs and give ideas and suggestions to make it work better for them. They also print out what the finished kitchen will look like so you can visualise it much better. It was a free service when we used it so might be worth checking. We used them for our units nine years ago and they are still in brilliant condition, strong and sturdy.

firsttimebuyer2013

ic wrote: »

I'd recommend fitting all units below the worktop with drawers rather than as cupboards with shelves - it avoids ever having to bend or crouch to get to the back - meaning you can make full use of the space available. Get a double oven and house it in a tall unit - that way putting things in is easy (again no stooping with hot trays). Get an induction hob - as controllable as gas, but if forgotten about will turn itself off.

Unfortunately there is no room for tall housing unit for oven. The only potential space is where the fridge is and is likely going to have to be.

Will suggest the induction hob as the gas rings have been left on once or twice. The only problem is the added cost of having it wired on it's own circuit. But thanks for the suggestions.

JP08

The only suggestion I have is for those under worktop storage solutions (sliding baskets, rotating corner units).

Have a real good look at the ones they install in the showrooms. Grab hold of the shelves, give them a damn good shake, up and down, slam them in and out etc. If the thing comes apart (and yes, it did in Wickes when we were looking at kitchens - the missus was somewhat embarrassed, but as I pointed out, if it can't take a bit of a pounding it isn't going to last 15-20 years loaded up in a kitchen), then it isn't fit for purpose.

blackshirtuk

No idea on prices but...

push button electric wall cabinets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FnZnsb6Rrc

pull down units
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dkb07R-gwkE

side opening ovens so less chance of burns when moving heavy items
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHN4MW5MN1M

how about a drop down oven !!?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWgM9OISvAw

drop down shelves

missbiggles1

blackshirtuk wrote: »

No idea on prices but...

push button electric wall cabinets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FnZnsb6Rrc

pull down units
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dkb07R-gwkE

side opening ovens so less chance of burns when moving heavy items
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHN4MW5MN1M

how about a drop down oven !!?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWgM9OISvAw

drop down shelves

Those look wonderful but they also make me think "More things to go wrong". Sometimes simple is the best solution, like a traditional larder, if you have the space.

violettasomerset

Make sure that the new taps have levers to turn on, not knobs that have to be gripped (which can be harder for the elderly). They don't have to be special taps for the elderly/disabled - which aren't generally a particularly stylish design - but there are plenty of standard taps available with levers.