From making a cup of tea and some toast to preparing nutritious meals, almost all of us will rely on using the kitchen at least once a day, if not more. However, as we age, it can
become harder to manage the motor skills that are required in the kitchen. Opening cans
and jars, lifting and pouring a heavy kettle and holding food steady whilst you chop can all be challenging for seniors, who may struggle with strength or control in their hands.
Luckily, there are plenty of tools available to help seniors maintain their independence and still use their kitchens. Whilst they might seem like small gadgets, they can help people stay in their own homes and reduce their reliance on meal services or ready meals. Not only does this help seniors keep up a balanced diet, but it can boost happiness and confidence. Let’s take a look at three kitchen aids that make cooking a little easier.
1. Grip Turners and Ring Pull Openers
Many of us struggle with opening the tricky ring pulls on cans, or leveraging open a new jar. Doing so requires finger and grip strength, something which starts to reduce as part of the normal ageing process – especially post 60 years of age. This task can also be difficult for someone who has arthritis or other joint conditions. Not being able to open something can be frustrating, and lead to dangerous measures like using a knife to stab open a tin can.
Grip tools and ring pull gadgets can help seniors reduce the level of manual effort needed for these tasks. Some devices even operate at the touch of a button, meaning that you don’t have to put in any physical effort at all. Grip tools can also be used across the home, for turning dials and opening magnetic cabinets, for example.
2. Chopping Board with Clamp and Suction
Chopping boards are an essential part of food preparation, yet they often slip around on kitchen surfaces. You can purchase chopping boards with suction feet or pads on the base, which then stick to the worktop, removing this issue all together.
Some brands also offer chopping boards with various clamps or devices to hold the food in place whilst you cut, removing the need to hold the item with your hand. This can reduce the risk of seniors cutting themselves accidentally, and also makes food preparation an easier task for those with joint issues.
3. Kettle Tippers
A Safer, Easier Way to Cook
Purchasing gadgets for the home is well worth the investment. Not only will it make cooking easier, but crucially it will also make it safer. This allows you to remain independent for longer, and able to continue to prepare the food that you enjoy.
About the Author
Jane trained as an occupational therapist, and now aims to share her knowledge more widely via blog posts. She wants to promote independent living for seniors where at all possible.
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