kitchen adjustments?

[jjs]

Can you all share the changes you have made in your kitchens to help make cooking/baking easier?

My main thought right now: I can no longer stand up at the kitchen counter to work productively, and leaning on things or holding on to things is not helping so much any more. I'm struggling to get even the simplest things done ... and this coming from someone who used to be a pro in the kitchen. I'm over it [I think?!] but I'd still like to at least be able to get the simple things done!! Be as independent as I can be.

What's a good counter height for sitting and working without your arms getting tired? Are there special chairs too?? At my current counter, I try using my folding bench seat that's elevated, however it's still just not high enough for my arms. Basically, my legs are thankful for the seat, but my arms are not!

And once I have a good counter for sitting while working, I'll have to think about ease of access to the kitchen gadgets that I need while sitting. No sense sitting while working but having to get up 50 times to retrieve a tool. I can see a walker with storage or a wheel cart or something being handy.

I have a small kitchen, but it will accommodate a small island. My only thought right now is having my sons build me a kitchen island to a specific height. Storage underneath, and part of a counter sticking out to sit at and work. Pros/cons/better ideas??

I know an OT would be a good one to ask these questions to, however I'm still waiting to see if I can get insurance. If I get it, one of the first things I'll do is visit with an OT. For now though, I really appreciate being able to ask people who have been there and are going through it. Thank you!

[marti]

I just stay out of the kitchen!!

Honestly, I know what you're talking about. Have not found any magic tricks. Being so short is another disadvantage. Neither of us eats much anymore so we do some carry-out and frozen dinners. Sounds yummy right?

My biggest problem is that I drop everything my hands touch. Don't know what that is, but it's progressing.

Hope you get some good suggestions. It's frustrating.

[jjs]

I just stay out of the kitchen!!

LOL! Well, I'm getting to be that way more and more! Ugh. Never ever ever ever thought I'd be this way. I was such a good cook and it was my passion. Oh well. Life [kind of] goes on!

I've been really practicing sitting while prepping food and I'm getting better at it. I guess it's just an adjustment like everything else. Keeping it simple seems to be the best strategy so far. I discovered organic and/or much healthier options in the frozen meal section. It comes to about the same cost as eating a fast food meal, so if it comes to feeling like I am just going to have someone pick me up something, I try to have them get me something healthier.

I've kind of been researching the meal delivery services. There are so many out there that it's hard to really know what to do or think. There are the ones that are fresh but not yet prepared, but those are out of the question since that's the hard part anyway! So I've been researching the ones that ship already prepared. I thought maybe I can have a few of those sent to me each month and see what I think. They are pricey, so it would just be used as a back up plan when all else fails.

We'll see.

[marti]

LOL! Well, I'm getting to be that way more and more! Ugh. Never ever ever ever thought I'd be this way. I was such a good cook and it was my passion. Oh well. Life [kind of] goes on!

I've been really practicing sitting while prepping food and I'm getting better at it. I guess it's just an adjustment like everything else. Keeping it simple seems to be the best strategy so far. I discovered organic and/or much healthier options in the frozen meal section. It comes to about the same cost as eating a fast food meal, so if it comes to feeling like I am just going to have someone pick me up something, I try to have them get me something healthier.

I've kind of been researching the meal delivery services. There are so many out there that it's hard to really know what to do or think. There are the ones that are fresh but not yet prepared, but those are out of the question since that's the hard part anyway! So I've been researching the ones that ship already prepared. I thought maybe I can have a few of those sent to me each month and see what I think. They are pricey, so it would just be used as a back up plan when all else fails.

We'll see.

We did Meals on Wheels for 2 weeks and promptly cancelled that mess. They were government frozen meals that came with a huge loaf of bread and some kind of pumpkin bread or something. We don't go thru a loaf of bread in 2 weeks or more. So we were giving it away. The other stuff was not good and the meals themselves were not very good. The veggies were nice... frozen pretty.. unseasoned. The entrees were kind of mysteries. Let me know what services you find. I actually didn't know they had those. Might be worth it.

[jjs]

We did Meals on Wheels for 2 weeks and promptly cancelled that mess. They were government frozen meals that came with a huge loaf of bread and some kind of pumpkin bread or something. We don't go thru a loaf of bread in 2 weeks or more. So we were giving it away. The other stuff was not good and the meals themselves were not very good. The veggies were nice... frozen pretty.. unseasoned. The entrees were kind of mysteries. Let me know what services you find. I actually didn't know they had those. Might be worth it.

I've never been impressed with Meals on Wheels. I know a lot of elderly people who get meals from "them" and have seen many of the meals ... and never did I think, "Yum! I should get that!"

There's actually a private meal delivery service in town that makes pretty decent meals. I never even thought of using them. Hmmm. They do not do accommodate special diets, so I would not be able to eat everything they serve, but I'll check in to them. Ironically enough, we used to be volunteer deliverers for their meals The only ones that get paid are the cooks; everyone else is volunteer.

I was actually talking about prepared meals that are either fresh or frozen; you order online and they ship it. With most of these companies you can either subscribe to a certain amount of meals each week/month, or you can go in on an as-needed basis and order (for example) only a few meals whenever.

You know, I think I'll start a separate thread!! Or maybe there is already one going?

[Poolwatcher]

We are building an accessible house. For the kitchen, one counter with the cooktop is low enough for a wheelchair to go under for chopping and cooking. The counter with the sink is low for the sink and a small counter to the right. It’s open below the sink so I can pull my wheelchair under it.

There is a normal height island with lots of cabinets for my commonly used stuff everyday. There is a sink on that island also since husband doesn’t want to hunch over to do dishes.

There is enough space between the island and wall countertops etc for my wheelchair to pass through and turn around easily.

The dishwasher is normal height which means the counter above it has to be normal height. I can reach stuff from my wheelchair, just can’t cook, wash and chop from the wheelchair to the normal height .

There are plenty of normal height cabinets. If it comes to not being able to stand and reach them, I have enough room for daily gear to be in the island.

The microwave is built in low. The oven is normal high height. I never use the oven anyway. I do my roasting and food baking in a large counter top toaster oven.

If you can do it, retrofit your kitchen. There are ADA suggestions online. And use your own common sense for your needs.

Currently in my ablebodied kitchen, I have a bar stool that i station on one counter for food prep. I move it to the cooktop to cook. I move it to the sink to do dishes. I have a Rubbermaid step stool I move to the chair to keep my feet resting....I don’t know if your ability allows that to be a safe option for you.

I know my kitchen, when installed in a few months, is going to look strange with the low counters.

On my good days or hours, I regret having ordered an accessible kitchen, but more often I am relieved that cooking will be easier.

I hope this helps.

[jjs]

On my good days or hours, I regret having ordered an accessible kitchen, but more often I am relieved that cooking will be easier.

I hope this helps.

"On my good days ..." Isn't that how it goes?! I have a saying: "Everything is all right until it's not all right." Some times we just get a tiny glimpse of hope that maybe things will get better, but they never do, do they?

Thanks for the info

[kndickens]

You might check with the nearest home builders or remodelors association. Search NAHB or NARI for local chapter. They might have some members that have experience/training in ADA guidelines. Also maybe a home health agency and you could self pay for an OT consult...good luck

[kmallory1]

Retrofitting the lower cabinets with pull out shelves will give you easier access. From my wheelchair I can reach everything in the lower cabinets.

Even without a disability my husband loves them. We all get older and it gets harder to reach the back of the lower level.