9 Kitchen Updates to Help as You Age

Higher-end companies may offer more expensive options that include tiered shelving, which moves to the side to allow for a second layer of shelves to be pulled out. Prices start around $300 and top $1,200.​ ​

4. Don’t mess with trash​

Now you can get rid of trash without getting your hands dirty. The motion sensor in touchless trash cans senses when something is in front of it and automatically opens the lid. They’re more hygienic because you don’t touch a germ-filled container. Some models even include a built-in odorizer or voice controls. Prices for these battery- or power-cord-controlled receptacles start at about $45.​

5. Consider a different dishwasher​

“Universal design features are something I would recommend for younger folks who want to do some remodeling now instead of later,” Camerio advises. Universal design focuses on making a home livable for people of all ages and conditions.​

Switching out traditional appliances for smart ones or new designs is a good starting point, Camerio says. It’s relatively easy to do because most appliances like ovens and dishwashers come in standard sizes, he adds. ​

Camerio, who also is a certified Home Adaptation Modification Professional, recommends a drawer dishwasher. Instead of a traditional model in which the door opens down, this type of appliance has drawers that slide out to load and unload so you don’t need to do as much bending and lifting to retrieve items. In addition, some models have two separate drawers that allow you to do a smaller load and use less water if needed or run two separate types of cycles at the same time — one for cleaning pots and one for regular dishes, for example. ​

If you don’t cook much or cook for one, you can opt for a single drawer instead of two. Prices range from about $900 to around $2,000.​

An induction cooktop doesn’t get as hot as gas or electric stoves and the controls may be easier to use.

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6. Change your cooktop​

Experts like induction ranges because controls in the front are easier to reach, they’re safer because the surface doesn’t get as hot as a traditional stovetop, and they’re easy to clean. Induction cooktops also cook your food faster. ​

Also, if you have a gas stove, you may want to consider a change. Studies have also shown that gas stoves release hazardous methane even when they’re turned off, which can negatively impact your health and the environment. ​

You’ll pay at least twice as much for an induction model vs. an electric range.​

7. Remove or reconfigure countertops​

If you have a small kitchen with an island, consider removing it for better maneuverability, Camerio advises. He likes at least 4 feet of space around an island. If your kitchen is large enough, consider having two islands at different heights or one multilevel island. ​

Henry “Alan” Cobb, 66, a below-the-knee amputee, plans to modify his kitchen to enable him to move around more easily when he uses a wheelchair.​

The Georgia resident intends to remove a breakfast bar that juts out nearly 6 feet into the room but keep the counter space all the way across. “That will make it more usable and give my wife and I more room in the kitchen,” Cobb says. “When we’re both in there, we’re bumping into each other.” ​

Someone in a wheelchair needs at least a 60-inch turning radius, according to guidelines in the Americans with Disabilities Act. ​

Cobb also plans to lower the sink countertop to enable him to roll underneath it and the stovetop (the oven is separate) to operate them properly from his wheelchair. ​

8. Light up your world​

Bringing in natural light is best, but smart lights with sensors or timers can help illuminate darker areas or help people with poor eyesight at dimmer times of the day or night, Camerio says. He likes low-voltage lighting, including LED bulbs, commonly used in pendant, recessed and track lights. Lower-voltage lighting is safer and also uses less electricity, which may reduce your power bill.​

Kelly likes layered lighting, especially for countertop tasks. Consider some combination of an overhead ceiling light, under-cabinet lighting, recessed lighting and a skylight or sun tube (to bring in more natural light). She also recommends dimmable lights that can be adjusted for the time of day.​

9. Think in zones​

Creating kitchen zones for certain tasks can help make day-to-day activities easier, Kelly says. Make sure all of the coffee prep is near the coffeepot. If you like to make smoothies every morning, create a countertop area to store the blender and keep all of the ingredients in a drawer below, she advises. ​

Whether you’re building a new kitchen or renovating, thinking about the overall space is key, Camerio adds. How much space do you have to move around? How much space is there to perform everyday tasks?​

“Independence for everyone living in the home,” Camerio says, “is what we’re ultimately trying to achieve when designing kitchens.”​