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Kitchen Designers as Change Agents in Planning for Aging in Place
Author(s) -
Guetzko Becky S.,
White Betty Jo
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
home economics research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.372
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1552-3934
pISSN - 0046-7774
DOI - 10.1177/0046777491202007
Subject(s) - perception , sample (material) , certification , work (physics) , marketing , food preparation , psychology , business , applied psychology , engineering , medicine , mechanical engineering , chemistry , chromatography , pathology , neuroscience , political science , law , food safety
This study was designed to examine how kitchen designers are addressing the special needs of mature clients and to assess designers' perceptions relative to the demand for kitchen features that facilitate aging in place. A questionnaire was mailed to a nationwide random sample of 600 Certified Kitchen Designers (CKDs). Respondents' recommendations for appliances, kitchen configuration, work surfaces and storage, features that compensate for reduced dexterity and low vision, and flooring generally followed literature recommendations. Although a vast majority of the designers indicated that kitchens are very important in determining whether an older person can remain independent, they infrequently incorporated “special” products or design features for mature clients. Conclusions about CKDs' effectiveness as change agents centered on their knowledge of specialized kitchen design; awareness of products that meet special needs; designs for individual special needs; age or disability‐specific marketing; and increased activity in promoting kitchen designs that enable older people to age in place.