As the global population ages, the demand for aged care facilities that promote safety, independence, and comfort continues to grow. One of the most critical yet often overlooked areas in these facilities is the kitchen. Whether you’re designing a commercial kitchen for a residential aged care facility or considering upgrades to an existing one, ensuring a space that’s both safe and highly functional is essential.
Kitchens are high-risk environments – sharp utensils, hot surfaces, and the potential for slips and trips make them dangerous even for younger adults. For seniors, especially those with mobility or cognitive challenges, a poorly designed kitchen can significantly impact wellbeing. That’s why prioritising the right equipment, layout, and workflows is key.
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What Does Aging in Place Mean?
Before diving into design tips, it’s important to understand the concept of aging in place. This term refers to the ability of older adults to live independently and safely in their own home or a facility of their choice for as long as possible. For some, this may be within a retirement village or an aged care facility with support services on site.
Aging in place goes beyond simply staying put, it’s about maintaining quality of life through supportive environments, access to care, and enabling technologies. When it comes to kitchens, this means creating a space that allows elderly residents and staff to prepare and serve food safely, efficiently, and with dignity.
The Importance of Aging in Place
Why does aging in place matter in the context of kitchen design?
- Safety: Older adults are more prone to kitchen-related injuries such as burns, falls, and cuts.
- Dignity and independence: In many aged care environments, giving residents the ability to engage with food preparation, whether through cooking therapy, communal kitchens, or simply watching meals being prepared, can support mental health and emotional wellbeing.
- Operational efficiency: Aged care kitchens often serve dozens or hundreds of meals per day. Ensuring these kitchens are functional and hygienic is essential for staff safety and resident satisfaction.
Designing with aging in mind doesn’t mean compromising on performance. In fact, purpose-built aged care kitchen solutions, like those offered by Hostservice, help you meet safety and compliance requirements while streamlining day-to-day operations.
8 Design Tips for a Senior-Friendly Kitchen
Here are some top ways to make aged care kitchens both safer and more functional, whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to upgrade.
1. Prioritise Non-Slip Flooring
The kitchen is one of the most common areas for slips and falls. For older adults, even a minor fall can lead to serious injury. Install non-slip, easy-to-clean flooring materials that provide grip even when wet. Consider safety-rated vinyl flooring or textured tiles designed specifically for wet zones.
For more guidance, the CDC’s Home Fall Prevention Checklist is a valuable resource for identifying and mitigating fall risks.
2. Opt for Ergonomic Commercial Equipment
In aged care kitchens, your choice of equipment can either help or hinder both safety and workflow. Look for:
- Height-adjustable benches to reduce strain for staff
- Ergonomically designed combi ovens with side-opening doors and rollout racks
- Easy-to-grip handles and intuitive controls
Hostservice provides a full range of commercial kitchen products designed specifically for aged care settings, from refrigeration to food prep and serving equipment.
3. Ensure Adequate Lighting
Poor lighting increases the risk of accidents. Install layered lighting, overhead LEDs combined with task lighting at workstations to improve visibility. Choose bulbs with a high CRI (Color Rendering Index) so that colours of food and equipment are easily distinguishable.
Motion-activated lighting can be a great feature in storage areas or walk-in pantries.
4. Use Clear Signage and Colour Coding
For residents with cognitive impairment, such as dementia, signage and visual cues play a vital role in safety and orientation. Use high-contrast labels, colour-coded bins, and clear symbols to distinguish between food types, tools, and cleaning chemicals.
The Dementia Australia Design Principles (resource here) recommend cues that reinforce function and reduce confusion in shared environments like kitchens.
5. Simplify Storage Access
Instead of high cupboards or deep shelves, use pull-out drawers, carousel units, and open shelving where appropriate. This reduces the need for reaching, bending, or using step stools. Knife blocks, for example, can be integrated into locked drawers with blade slots visible and organised.
For safety, all knives and sharp tools should be stored in locked compartments or knife sterilising cabinets accessible only to authorised staff.
6. Incorporate Fire Safety Systems
Fires are a real concern in any kitchen, but in aged care settings, they pose even greater risk due to slower mobility and reaction time. Install:
- Commercial-grade fire suppression systems above cooking stations
- Automatic shut-off valves for stovetops and ovens
- Smoke detectors and alarms that meet NZ building code for care facilities
Staff should also be regularly trained in fire safety procedures, and fire extinguishers should be placed in clearly marked and accessible locations.
7. Choose Easy-to-Clean Surfaces
Hygiene is critical in food service, especially in healthcare and aged care. Surfaces should be:
- Seamless and non-porous (e.g., stainless steel, Corian)
- Resistant to stains, mould, and heat
- Designed with minimal joints or crevices where bacteria can hide
This also makes cleaning quicker and more efficient, reducing the workload for kitchen teams.
8. Design for Accessibility
Aged care kitchens should consider the possibility that residents might want to participate in light food prep or cooking activities. Incorporate accessible countertops, knee space under sinks, and side-opening appliances for seated users. Even in commercial zones, accessible meal areas or therapy kitchens can greatly improve resident quality of life.
Conclusion
Creating a safer and more functional kitchen in an aged care environment requires thoughtful design, the right equipment, and an understanding of the needs of older adults. From fire safety to accessibility, every design decision plays a role in reducing risk and supporting quality of life.
By partnering with specialists like Hostservice, aged care providers can implement tailored kitchen solutions that enhance safety, streamline operations, and support aging in place with dignity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I minimize the risk of slips and falls in the kitchen?
Use non-slip flooring materials like safety vinyl or textured tiles, ensure good lighting, and keep walkways clear of clutter. Installing anti-fatigue mats in high-use zones can also help.
How can I store knives and sharp tools safely in the kitchen?
Use secure, labelled drawers with knife organisers or locking cabinets. For staff kitchens, consider knife sterilising units with controlled access.
How can I ensure fire safety in my kitchen design?
Install commercial fire suppression systems, smoke detectors, and auto shut-off controls for appliances. Regular fire drills and staff training are also essential.
By proactively designing for safety and functionality, aged care kitchens can become environments that truly support aging in place. Whether you’re a facility manager, architect, or operator, these tips will help you deliver spaces that meet the evolving needs of older adults, without compromising performance or peace of mind.
