Universal design kitchen remodels can either include basic modifications or complete tear outs. There are many improvements and/or modifications that can free Bob from the frustrations of decreased physical mobility. The following are just a few of the exciting possibilities:
- Use a rolling island cabinet to transfer pans back and forth between the sink and stove. This allows Bob, who can’t stand for long, to sit and engage in food preparation.
- Install rollout shelves with full-extension slides at the base cabinets for less bending or kneeling.
- Replace knobs with pull-style cabinet hardware for easier operation by arthritis sufferers like Vera.
- Replace the kitchen faucet with touch-sensor faucets for hands-free operation.
- For folks with mobility issues like Bob, pull-down shelves in upper cabinets makes reaching supplies much easier. Convenient drawer and dishwasher placement reduces bending.
- Reduce the counter height for wheelchair-bound individuals. Also replace countertops with a material of contrasting color to the floor. This helps distinguish different surfaces and heights. The results are fewer accidental drops of utensils, counter collisions and falls.
- Install a cook top or stove with an induction-style cooking surface for more efficient and safer cooking conditions. Induction cooking will heat things very quickly and cool down just as fast. This can be a tremendous solution for someone with sensation impairments.
Read More: Vera and Bob's Laundry Room Project
