Top Tips For Choosing Senior-friendly Kitchen Appliances

Nowadays, no kitchen is complete without state-of-the-art appliances, which are the driving force of the kitchen and the most significant support in cooking matters. Most seniors prefer home-cooked meals while dining out occasionally, according to SeniorHome. However, the kitchen can be dangerous for seniors, especially if the appliances they use are old and obsolete. "When choosing appliances, do not be tempted by the gimmicks; go for well-established brands," said Juanita Galliford, Bosch Kitchen design specialist. Impulse buys are not smart when it involves appliances that you expect your elderly parents to use heavily for a long time to come. Before you approach a shop, you should have a budget, a design plan and a list of the features you are looking for, such as a good warranty.

Selecting a microwave

A microwave shuts itself when the cooking time is up, making it safe to cook hot meals and heat soups, hot drinks and leftovers. When selecting a microwave, choose one that has an easy-to-use control panel. The panel should have pre-programmed buttons for various types of foods, such as a mug of tea, or a plated dinner. Also, take care of other fine details like which is safer- a door that opens to the right or the left. When installing, you should mind the positioning because as people age, they may not have the upper body strength or height to reach a high object properly. Also, ensure there is an empty countertop nearby to put down a hot dish immediately after they remove it from the microwave. Be sure to sort out the dishes because some materials will burn hot to the touch than others. Remove the ones that could cause scalds and burns.

Refrigerator and freezer

The most important thing is to make sure that refrigerators maintain the correct temperature at all times. To achieve this, look for the one with a digital display of current temperature. Also, go for the one with a water and ice dispenser so that seniors do not have to juggle pitchers and ice trays, In addition, opt for a side-by-side refrigerator to make it easier for someone in a wheelchair to reach the freezer. Remember to place clean towels nearby to mop spills and drips easily.

Purchase smart appliances

With the technological advancements that today's appliances come with, the choice has never been better. There are timers and automatic shut-off devices of all kinds. Since aging people tend to be more forgetful, it is crucial that kitchen devices have this automatic shut-off feature. If they do not, consider replacing them. Alternatively, you can install an automatic shut-off outlet and program it to shut off after a certain amount of time.

These changes can make a difference in a senior's ability to age gracefully while enjoying the comfort of a home-cooked meal without exposure to any danger. For installation, always engage a professional who can follow the manufacturer's full instructions and make use of the mounting hardware properly. While sorting out safety, do not ignore the common kitchen hazards. For instance, move items to lower cabinets, fix loose tiles, and equip the kitchen with a dawn-to-dusk night light to prevent fumbling in the dark.

Guest Contributor, Cindy Trillo