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Making a few small adjustments to your kitchen appliances to ensure they suit your needs can make a big difference to your confidence in the kitchen.
If you’re beginning to find it difficult using the cooker, maybe because of impaired vision or reduced strength or dexterity, there are some products that can make the cooker easier to use.
If you’re having trouble lifting food in or out of your oven or onto the hob, there are a couple of changes you can consider to make cooking as safe as possible.
If you’re having difficulties using the cooker, perhaps because the oven is too low or the hob is too high, think about buying a new one better suited to your needs. Look out the following helpful features:
If you’re finding it difficult to bend down to get to the oven, consider installing a separate oven at a height where you can easily see what’s inside, and can place dishes on an oven shelf that’s level with a work surface. A pull-out shelf under the oven can make a useful temporary resting place for hot dishes.
For more help read our expert advice on buying the best built-in oven, buying the best hob and buying the best freestanding cooker.
It’s true that microwave aren’t as versatile as conventional ovens, but for certain tasks a microwave can be very useful. They can cook or heat food more quickly, and are therefore more energy efficient as well as being small and compact.
Here are some features to look for if buying a microwave for someone with limited mobility, dexterity or visual impairment:
For more detailed guidance, see our guide to buying the best microwave.
Buying a new fridge freezer is no longer a case of simply choosing between a freestanding or a built-in model – there are now more features to choose from than ever before. Models with the fridge at the top are usually best for older people, as they require less bending, since fridges tend to be used more frequently than freezers.
Visit our guide to buying the best fridge freezer to help you work out which one suits your needs.
Washing up can take a lot of time and energy. If space allows, consider installing a dishwasher. The best ones not only save time and effort, but can be more efficient in terms of hot water and energy use. Several manufacturers now produce compact dishwashers that are approximately half the size of standard models and ideal for kitchens where space is limited or if you’re living alone.
Some useful dishwasher features to look out for include:
To help you choose a dishwasher, go to our dishwasher buying guide or find our recommendations of the best dishwashers for 2021.
There are monitors available for detecting different risks in the kitchen and other areas of the home. As well as smoke detectors, which should be fitted in all homes, other detectors relevant to the kitchen include gas, heat and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as flood alarms to detect overflowing water.
Stove alarms are useful for people who are easily distracted or forgetful, and could leave the cooker turned on and unattended. Read more about stove alarms and other memory aids that help people with memory problems to stay safe at home – from smart pill dispensers to digital memory aids.
Monitors and alarms can also be incorporated into a telecare system which can send an alert to a monitoring centre or a carer if there’s a problem.
Check that kitchen taps are well maintained and don’t require a high degree of strength to turn on and off. If you have trouble turning the taps, the following products can be helpful.
If your kettle is becoming heavy to lift, look for one that’s lightweight or consider getting a travel kettle, as these are smaller and lighter.
One-cup kettles boil enough water for only one cup, and reduce the need for pouring – a task that’s often difficult if you have limited strength or dexterity.
Electric kettles are generally safer than stove-top kettles, because they have an automatic cut-off facility. The following features may also be useful:
Read more about how to choose a kettle that’s easy to use.
Kettle tippers are special frames that fit most types of jug kettles. They enable you to tip the kettle and pour it without the need to lift it.
Tippers are suitable for people who have difficulty with lifting the kettle and are at risk of scalding. You still need to be able to fill up the kettle, as it will be fastened into the tipper. Using a plastic jug can often be the best solution.
A good alternative to using a kettle is having an instant hot-water tap (also called boiling-water taps) fitted to the kitchen sink. These provide boiling water on demand. Although expensive, they offer several advantages over a kettle. They produce instant hot water for cooking and drinks.
Find out more about the pros and cos of boiling water taps - are they worth it?
If you’re unsure which aids would be most useful, or need further information, it is worth making an appointment with an occupational therapist (OT), who can help to assess your needs and make recommendations.