Seniors, height, and kitchens

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I live in a housing complex for 60+ folk. You're supposed to be self-supporting and able to manage all by yourself. Of course helping each other where needed and a bit of social intercourse are expected and encouraged.
Now - my gripe is the way the kitchens are kitted out. They're standard, built-in. The ovens are at a height that makes it really hard to get pans, dishes, etc in and out, especially when hot. I had the common sense to buy my own little oven that stands on the worktop. However, I have seen others who use a small plastic stool to be able to use the oven. They obviously think nothing of stepping down, backwards, with a hot pan with hot food in their hands. I think it's a miracle no accidents have happened so far. It's a disaster waiting to happen - broken ankles, burns to the whatever degree... I have warned the people in charge about this, but they just shrug and say, "Well, the kitchens are standard. Can't do anything about that". My point is, has nobody ever looked into the problem that accommodation for the elderly should keep in mind the bleeding obvious fact that we all will shrink over time? Access to ovens and cupboards will get more and more problematic.
What do others think?

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@eeyorsmum,

Sounds like the owners have gone cheap. I'm sure a big, public lawsuit will get them to change their tune if someone falls and breaks a hip.

Here's one place where they've thought about aging and how to adapt a kitchen: http://ageinplace.com/at-home/aging-in-place-home-ideas/kitchen/

Those ideas don't look too terribly costly, either.

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Where I live there are regulations about safe layout and design of accommodation for elderly or vulnerable people, administered by the local (e.g. county) government authority. Issues around stooping and room to move would be addressed, hopefully.

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60+ people come in all sizes and with very different or none at all problems.
Some people do get smaller when aging. about 1-2 inches up to the age of 80 and then (maybe) more.
I do not understand the problem with the oven, as they are usually under the
stove - to pull out. That would be easier for a small person to use than for
a taller person who has difficulties to bow down. Or there is a buildt in oven in normal height then there might be a problem.
It is not easy to plan a kitchen for 60+ people as it has to be on individual basis often and maybe be changed for the next person.
This solution seems to me to be a good one for many different problems.

http://www.byggfaktadocu.se/10/product/72/32/72/30n.png

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@jespah,

Thanks, jespah. Some really sensible suggestions on that site. :-)

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@centrox,

Where I live is some kind of private venture. Charity-ish. That should not preclude them from following rules etc, but I am not sure whether oven-heights are regulated.

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@saab,

Wow. People have really thought about that lay-out. And I now spot the culprit: the fridge that is underneath the oven. That immediately places the oven higher.
If that kind of lay-out is standard (which I suspect means 'from a certain make/supplier') then they really should do a bit of research and find one that *does* allow for a different lay-out.
Thanks for that image, saab. I'll print it out and show it to them. Not a lot else I can do.
Oh, and it's an all-female set-up here. And I with my modest 5'5" am among the tallest. :-)

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@centrox,

As for following regulations etc - if there are rules for oven heights and the owners do not adhere to them... Hm. I already have pointed out the dangers to them, and they think it's not an accident waiting to happen. And I talked to those who do use those steps and implored them to fork out for a cheapo, small, electrical oven that they can place on the worktop, as I did. If they don't think it's necessary... I can only keep my fingers crossed en hope nothing happens.

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@eeyorsmum,

The fridge is not under the oven. It would be rather akward to have to bow down every time you have to take something out. The fridge you use more than an oven.
To me it looks like the cupboards can be by electricity taken up and down. You could not use the water if the cupboard would be that far down. It is either a dishwasher or for doing you laundry to the right. There is plenty of space for a person in a wheelchair.
Fridge and freeze are either to the very left in the picture or on another wall.

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A kitchen for wheelchair is also practical for a person ,who just wants to sit down and work.

http://sv.pressalit.com/-/media/care/professionals/washing_1.png?h=620&la=sv-SE&mw=620&w=620

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@saab,

I meant - MY oven is above MY fridge, which is taller than a normal under-bench one. Hence the oven's height. :-)
The cupboards seem indeed movable. Clever idea.

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@eeyorsmum,

Good thread you started, eeyorsmum, and your user name makes me smile.
Roger, a longtime contributor to a2k, a man of quiet wit (still here, a lot) had Eeyor as an avatar for quite a while.

I'll be back to mumble about my kitchen woes later.

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@ossobucotemp,

Thanks, ossobucotemp,
Somehow I fear that Eeyore avatar will have been the Disneyfied version. You used to be able to buy postcards with the original E H Shepard illustrations. No longer.
My user name refers to my late dog, Eeyore. He was a Highland Haggis Retriever. The Scourge of the Glens. One of a kind.
Looking forward to your mumblings.
Happy Easter, all.

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@eeyorsmum,

Yes, it was definitely Disneyfied. I like the word, by the way. I used him because of our similarities: cheerful and optimistic at all times.

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@eeyorsmum,

I was an only child in WW2 years, moving a lot; my parents both read, differently (remembering them as years went by), but my memories as a toddler, etc. were more from my mother telling me stories. I do remember one oil cloth "book", the shape and the texture, but nothing about the story. I apparently missed a lot of the known stories of the time - I've no idea who Eeyore is as a character. I didn't catch up until later on current child interests, Black Beauty the first book that made cry.

I love your dog, even without checking the breed, which I will. I've a litany of dogs I've loved.

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@roger,

still laughing..

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@roger,

Manically depressed, you mean... ;-p

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@eeyorsmum,

Addendum: I just measured, and the bottom of the oven is at 1.22 m, so the grill where the pan stands on is even higher.It also has a pull-down door. Imagine, me lifting a bloody hot heavy Le Creuset casserole out of the oven from that height and over that door. And now imagine that shorter woman standing on her plastic stool doing the same, and then stepping off, backwards. Dread to think.

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@eeyorsmum,

I messuared a board in my kitchen at the height of 1.22. It is too high even for
me - normal size, normal strenght.
Then I figured out how a refrigerator below would work. Very impractical as you have to bow down very low to get things out.
In case this is a standard kitchen it is ok when there are small children to have the oven high. On the other hand it is very stupid to have a refrigerator so low
any kid can get into it take out things.
The kitchen simply has a bad design - whatever you are 60+ or 1+

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@saab,

Quote:

Then I figured out how a refrigerator below would work. Very impractical as you have to biw down very low to get things out.

I have an under the counter refrigerator. For the bottom shelf it can be a little tough, especially for items towards the back of the unit. In general though, it's fine.

An item which I find insane is, the refrigerator which has a pull out freezer drawer at the bottom of the appliance.

1 Reply

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