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When Design Offers Efficacy
September 6, 2022
Arti B Rau
Kitchens designed with a focus on the elderly are expected to increase in the coming years, discovers Arti B Rau
With India being home to one out of every ten senior citizens of the world today, kitchens are reflecting a changing pattern where their design specifically incorporates elements to assist the elderly. The ageing process is often marked by changes in health like slower reactions, problems of balance, decreased energy and visual, and auditory abilities as well as decreased mobility, and a greater proportion of houses and apartments are expected to be built keeping in mind these factors.
Work Triangle
The size of the kitchen and kitchen triangle – “work triangle or kitchen triangle” which involves the distance between the sink area, preparatory area and cooking area – are two main criteria to be taken into account while designing the space. As it is common for the elderly to experience age-related decline in locomotion, their daily movement in the kitchen should be kept at a minimum, and the recommended kitchen triangle distance should be set to suit their physical ability.
"Ambient lighting should be achieved by distributing light evenly so as not to cast shadows and spots. The luminaries should have diffusers to disperse the light evenly. I would recommend indirect lighting but would not suggest cove lighting since it is difficult to keep clean."
Rohini Mani
Architect
About Lighting
Older eyes require altered lighting, and they become more sensitive to glare, so a greater quantum of light is often needed. The exact quantity of light, placement of the light source with colour and temperature are vital parameters to be taken into account.
The uses of up lighting - small lighting units that are placed around the perimeter of the venue and illuminate the walls from floor to ceiling - contribute effectively to the lighting required for the elderly.
“Diffused or indirect lights and perhaps an up lighter in a recessed cove around the top perimeter of a kitchen could be an option. For maximising light output, the use of T5 fluorescent or LED light as the source would wash the ceiling with light. This would help create a brighter ceiling where light bounces and reflects through the space without glare. Further, a LED strip under the kitchen platform that is, just above the cabinets would cut the glare and also allow comfortable access to the cabinets,” says Bankim Dave, Architect & Interior Designer and CWLID Secretary General.
Architect Rohini Mani offers other workable options from a different angle. “Ambient lighting should be achieved by distributing light evenly so as not to cast shadows and spots. The luminaries should have diffusers to disperse the light evenly. I would recommend indirect lighting but would not suggest cove lighting since it is difficult to keep clean. The lux level should be a minimum of 300 lux,” she says. “The ceiling light should not cast a shadow of the person on the counter when he is standing there, “she adds.
And More
Down lighting or the type that directs light down and only focuses on the area to be lit is another parameter that needs to be taken into account. Also known as general lighting, the position and number of fixtures are important aspects for illuminating the area and reducing dark corners.
Another point to be considered is task lighting, which serves the purpose of focussing the light where it is most needed. In a kitchen, this would be under the cabinets, lighting up the surface and whatever is placed on it.
With the concept of the traditional household being fast replaced with that of the nuclear family, an increased number of elderly persons are living by themselves. Photo Courtesy: ID Interiors
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The New Entrant
A relatively new method of lighting space for those with diminishing eyesight is visual cuing. Visual cuing provides an additional reference point for judging distance or depth when entering a space or approaching objects.
Dave elaborates on the concept. “A relatively new concept, visual cueing plays the role of an “usher”. Visual cues have been developed to provide aid with visual stimulations and reminders. For instance, visual schedules have been developed to facilitate communication and transition. Such visual schedules typically include a series of visual aids that represent a subject of communication such as daily activities, seasonal changes, and the like,” he explains.
Other Aspects
The process of ageing also makes the eyes more susceptible to glare, making this an important factor to be kept in mind while designing a kitchen for the elderly. “The first requirement for any application is glare-free lighting. This is absolutely essential as you age when you need more light as your eye power diminishes. There should be dimmers for lights and a sensor to switch on about 25 per cent ambient light as they enter the kitchen the lighting level can go up to 500 lux if the person suffers from poor vision,” says Mani
"Diffused or indirect lights and perhaps an up lighter in a recessed cove around the top perimeter of a kitchen could be an option. For maximising light output, the use of T5 fluorescent or LED light as the source would wash the ceiling with light. This would help create a brighter ceiling where light bounces and reflects through the space without glare."
Bankim Dave
Architect & Interior Designer and CWLID Secretary General
Countertop Capers
Certain countertops also contribute to unwanted glare, so the choice of both material and colour has to be made judiciously. “The countertop should be in soft muted colours using conglomerate marble or Corian or similar materials,” says Mani.
Soapstone and concrete are other options that can be considered. The latter have no shine to them at all. Though glossy countertops have great visual appeal, they can cause a mirrored effect, reflecting the under-cabinet light fixture right onto the countertop.
LED lights placed over countertops are another cause of strong glare. If the countertops are glossy, care should be taken to choose a light fixture with a lens over the light bulb to minimise reflections.
“Glare generally is caused by artificial lighting and also at times by natural light. In my opinion, solid surfaces (acrylic base) or quartz engineered stones are most suited for the purpose of kitchen countertops as both materials are durable, homogenous in nature and non-porous. The construction of both gives them a non-reflective upper finished layer which can avoid causing glare; further, they are also scratch and stain resistant," says Dave.
Floor Facts
Choosing the right flooring for the kitchen is vital, as falls hospitalise elderly people every day. “Seamless flooring with anti-skid property and a matt finish are most suitable. Lesser the joints better the flooring for the elderly and so larger size vitrified tiles would be a better option,” says Dave.
Choosing the right flooring for the kitchen is vital, as falls hospitalise elderly people every day. Photo Courtesy: Collov Home Design on Unsplash
Sink Secrets
Open space beneath the sinks will provide wheelchair or walker accessibility to access the sink with ease. Knee clearance for a sink needs to be at least 27” high, 8” deep at the knees or 11” deep for children. The drain should be positioned in the rear of the sink. This will help as the piping underneath will not stop a person in a wheelchair from rolling underneath. Pipes should be insulated to protect legs from hot pipes. Water heaters should be set to a level of heat which is low enough to prevent burning. To make a faucet accessible, the choice of a single lever faucet is a low-cost one, whereas touch control faucets allow the user to operate the faucet with one touch. Easy storage of cleaning products can be achieved by installing sliding drawers on both sides of the sink.
Planning the height and location of the sink to suit the needs of the elderly, and also relocating the dishwasher to increase its ease of use, are both pertinent points. “The dishwasher should be preferably kept above 30 cms and close to the kitchen sink. This will reduce the strain of loading and unloading. Adjusting the height and location of the sink to suit the need of the user is very important. Today there are roll-under sinks that can be used,” says Mani.
Wall Cabinets
Shelves at lower levels are not recommended as it is difficult to load and remove the things from the back. Kitchen wall cabinets can be lowered to meet the user’s needs. Another option, though more expensive, is to use electric-powered adjustable cabinets, which lower and raise the cabinet height with a touch of a button, making them accessible to all. Frequently-used products should be accessible and placed within reach.
Usage of cabinet accessories that make them more reachable such as pull-down shelves, adjustable shelves, and drawer dividers can be of great help. The use of looped cabinet pulls instead of knobs that are operable with a closed fist is another option. With these, the users do not have to twist, grasp or use pinching motions. Drawers at a low level can be built for equipment such as pots, pans, glassware and dishes. Other useful cabinet hardware can be used like full extension drawers, touch-release drawers and doors, and swing-up hardware that allows cabinet doors to hinge at the top and stay open can be used.
Cupboards with revolving stands are also considered useful. “If possible, the bottom should be minimum of 30 cms above ground and should be left free to avoid bending," says Mani.
The size of the kitchen and kitchen triangle – “work triangle or kitchen triangle” which involves distance between sink area, preparatory area and cooking area – are two main criteria to be taken into account while designing the space. Photo Courtesy: Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash
Technology Tactics
A majority of the elderly have limited or no exposure to new technology as compared to the younger generation, and this can intimidate them. They could also not be very open to trying new things or may not be aware of them. Taking this into account, designing kitchens for the elderly will not involve much technology that is even slightly complex to grasp or implement.
The same applies to kitchen appliances which should not include unnecessary new technologies. The form and shape should also be similar to what the elderly are familiar with. The edges of handles should not be sharp or have other surface characteristics which cause pressure hot spots when gripped.
Looking Ahead
The coming years will witness an increase in accommodations built specifically for elderly people than ever before as one, the proportion of older people in the population has increased as the life span has risen with advances in medical science. Also, with the concept of the traditional household being fast replaced with that of the nuclear family, an increased number of elderly persons are living by themselves. These factors indicate an increase in separate housing accommodations for them, of which kitchens are an intrinsic part, equipped to make living and functioning easier for senior citizens. As it is not always possible to design a new kitchen for elderly people, modifying existing spaces for them is also a good and viable alternative.
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