Aging in Place: Breaking the Barriers - InformeDesign
Aging in Place: Breaking the Barriers - InformeDesign
Aging in Place: Breaking the Barriers - InformeDesign
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Implications<br />
www.<strong>in</strong>formedesign.umn.edu<br />
4<br />
Meal Preparation<br />
• Grasp<strong>in</strong>g and turn<strong>in</strong>g circular knobs or<br />
handles:Utilize l<strong>in</strong>ear handles, or push buttons<br />
• Decreased ability to bend and lift: Use storage<br />
between knees and shoulders<br />
• Objects <strong>in</strong> top or bottom cab<strong>in</strong>ets needed <strong>in</strong><br />
preparation:Use roll-out shelves and kitchen<br />
organizers located between shoulders and knees<br />
(see Figure 2)<br />
• No rest<strong>in</strong>g area/seat to utilize while prepar<strong>in</strong>g<br />
meal:Remove portion of cab<strong>in</strong>etry to provide counter<br />
with chair<br />
• Inability to see small details/objects <strong>in</strong> prepar<strong>in</strong>g<br />
food:Include a magnifier with<strong>in</strong> easy reach,<br />
<strong>in</strong>crease light levels<br />
• Decreased depth perception: High color contrast<br />
between adjacent objects<br />
• Dark areas under hang<strong>in</strong>g storage: Utilize undercab<strong>in</strong>et<br />
light<strong>in</strong>g with lamps properly shielded from<br />
<strong>the</strong> eye <strong>in</strong> both sitt<strong>in</strong>g and stand<strong>in</strong>g positions<br />
• Not enough light to perform most basic<br />
functions:Add task light<strong>in</strong>g to decrease shadows<br />
and provide consistent light<strong>in</strong>g levels<br />
• Direct glare from exposed lamps make it difficult<br />
to focus:Ensure all lamps are properly hidden from<br />
view by location, semi-transparent or opaque<br />
reflector<br />
• Reflected glare makes tasks more difficult to see-<br />
Surface materials should have matte f<strong>in</strong>ish to<br />
elim<strong>in</strong>ate glare spots<br />
• Slippery floor surface: Use non-slick, water<br />
absorbent floor<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Eat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
• Difficulty mov<strong>in</strong>g food from preparation to d<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
area:Provide wheeled cart to transport items<br />
housed <strong>in</strong> base cab<strong>in</strong>et.<br />
• Determ<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g height of eat<strong>in</strong>g and sitt<strong>in</strong>g areas:Seat<br />
height at or slightly above knee level, lightweight<br />
(yet sturdy) chairs (see Figure 3)<br />
• Dim<strong>in</strong>ished muscle capacity <strong>in</strong> ris<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
sitt<strong>in</strong>g:Armed chairs with high apron help with<br />
sitt<strong>in</strong>g and ris<strong>in</strong>g<br />
• If natural light creates uncomfortable glare:Install<br />
adjustable bl<strong>in</strong>ds, shades, or drapery over all<br />
natural light sources<br />
Personal Hygiene<br />
• May tire while perform<strong>in</strong>g personal hygiene<br />
tasks:Seat<strong>in</strong>g at counter<br />
• Grasp<strong>in</strong>g and turn<strong>in</strong>g circular knobs and<br />
handles:Utilize l<strong>in</strong>ear handles, pulls and straight<br />
toilet paper holders (see Figure 4)<br />
• Objects <strong>in</strong> lower cab<strong>in</strong>ets needed <strong>in</strong> activities: <strong>Place</strong><br />
storage <strong>in</strong> a height zone between knees and<br />
shoulders<br />
Fig.2: Install kitchen rail organizers for common-use items.<br />
Fig.3: Arm chair with open<br />
apron assists <strong>in</strong> ris<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Fig.4: Decrease number of specific<br />
actions for common tasks.<br />
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