|  A
new wave of building is going on in our country these days, and
the building and remodeling industry is sitting up and taking notice.
It's the Baby Boomers again, the generation that has had such an
impact on our society throughout every stage of their lives. Now
they have newly become seniors, empty nesters finally with money
to spend on their own dreams and desires for their homes. And what
they want is luxury, casual elegance, and individuality. Nowhere
is this more apparent than in the kitchen, where these active and
educated seniors are opting for high performance appliances, work
islands and dual sinks. While planning their dream kitchens, however,
it also makes sense to incorporate concepts into the design that
accommodate the predictable changes that occur with age. As people
advance in age, their senses decline and their flexibility, balance,
stamina and reflexes diminish.
Kitchen and bath designer, Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD, feels that
"smart" design should take this all into account. She
specializes in Universal Design, which is design that is flexible
enough to meet the needs of each member of a household throughout
their lifetime. She is quick to point out, however, that Universal
Design can also achieve classy, good looks.
The following is practical advice Peterson offers for creating an
accessible kitchen:
1) Flush entry at the door instead of a raised threshold.
2) Clear floor space for maneuvering.
3) Slip-resistant flooring with some give--to prevent serious harm
in case of a fall.
4) Generous amounts of task and ambient lighting.
5) Retractable doors to conceal an open knee space for sitting while
working.
6) Raised dishwasher cabinet for easy loading and unloading.
7) Rollout trays and/or tambour doors for easily accessible storage
in base cabinets.
8) Lower wall ovens and microwaves for easier transfer of items.
9) Lower counters and work areas that can be used while seated.
10) Rolling storage that moves to the point of use as desired.
Owning a state-of-the-art, luxury kitchen is often the fulfillment
of a lifelong dream for
aby Boomers. Using the principles of Universal Design in the planning
of that kitchen will
help ensure they can continue to enjoy it for years to come.
|
