Optimizing kitchens to support aging in place (February 4, 2025)

Presented by: Jacquie Ripat and Shauna Mallory-Hill 

Functioning well in the kitchen is important for older adults who are aging in place (e.g., Maguire et al., 2014). This environment may impact the opportunity to prepare meals and pose safety risks (Ibrahim & Davies, 2012). Occupational therapists can implement individualized recommendations to improve person and environment interactions, facilitating safe and effective functioning in the kitchen. This webinar will discuss the changes that occur with aging can impact occupational possibilities by imposing additional demands on the person’s occupational participation, ultimately challenging their ability to age in place. Lifestyle, social connections, safety factors, and accessibility factors may hinder or facilitate access to and opportunities for occupation in the kitchen. In addition, this webinar will explore how the kitchen design can contribute to limiting independence. Considering ergonomics, task zones, and gerontological design, occupational therapists can address these factors through kitchen modification to improve the safety and efficacy of occupational possibilities in the kitchen.

After taking part in this webinar, participants will be able to: 

1. Discuss the implications of a study that explored the functional, ergonomic and lifestyle changes that impact older adults’ functioning in the kitchen.
2. Describe key areas of consideration for adapting the design of kitchens to support older adults’ ability to age in place.

Level  Beginner (0-2 years of experience in this specific practice area)