Less Challenging Kitchens

The changes that come with aging and disabilities can make working in the average kitchen or laundry very difficult. However, with some rearrangements and a few alterations these work spaces can be made more comfortable and easier to use.

Here are a few solutions that can make a world of difference.

• Heavy utensil storage. Rearrange things to store heavier items at waist height. Try adding baskets or bins on rollers for storing heavier items at a more convenient height.

  

• Reachable cabinets. Rearrange most-used items to where they can be reached easily. Kitchen organizers such as pull-out baskets, plate racks, suction-held turntables, hanging baskets and dispensers for cans and bottles, can be used in cabinets to provide more accessible upfront storage. Use pegboards at a convenient height for handy storage. The rear of counter-tops can provide additional open, shallow storage. You can also consider lowering one or more upper cabinets to counter height. Create a work surface at a convenient height by installing pull-out boards or by placing a wooden board on the top of a convenient drawer. A variety of reaching tools are available to help persons who have limitations reaching, bending or stopping. Tongs are an easy way to extend effective reach. Reachers that are opened and closed by levers on their handles are especially valuable for reaching items at the back of or on high shelves. A short, sturdy stepladder or a rolling footstool with wheels that lock can help.
  

• Accessible appliances. Virtually any appliance - surface unit, oven, microwave oven, dryer, dishwasher, even some washers and refrigerators - can be installed or re-installed at just the right height for easy reach. Cabinets and counters also can be raised to more convenient levels, if bending is a problem. If your sink is too deep and causes you back strain when you lean over to reach things at the bottom, install a wooden, wire, or plastic rack. This will raise the working level to a height that's more comfortable for you.

• Usable freezer/refrigerator space. Side-by-side refrigerator-freezers hold fresh and frozen foods at multiple convenient levels for people with limited mobility. The side-by-side's narrower doors are lighter and less difficult to operate and take less space when open, leaving more maneuvering room for wheelchairs, canes, or walkers.

  

• Accessible sink. Create sit-down or roll-under space at the sink so a person in a wheelchair can pull up close. To do this, remove the undersink cabinet doors and interior shelf, relocate the plumbing to the rear of the cabinet, and wrap exposed hot water pipes with insulation.
  

• Easy appliance cleaning. Refrigerators and freezers with no-frost systems eliminate frequent emptying and defrosting chores. Built-in ovens with self-cleaning systems virtually eliminate oven cleaning and can be installed at any convenient height. To avoid cleaning cooktop drip pans, select a range or cooktop with a ceramic surface, solid cast-iron elements, or sealed gas burners.

Involved Seniors

After living for many years, you have seen that being young, being beautiful and working hard are aspects of life that our culture values greatly. We often hear that once you reach the age of 65, "everything goes downhill from there." Despite what some folks say, the belief that all seniors decline in their ability to be productive and creative is a myth.

It may surprise you, but there is no biological reason to believe we "become old" at age 65. The reason the age 65 is often used to define "old age" is not because we biologically change at that age, but because the authors of the Social Security Act in 1935 had to pick an age for people to receive Social Security benefits. The authors randomly chose the age of 65 (because few people lived that long in 1935) and this number has been used to define "senior citizens" ever since.

It is important to remember that growing older does not mean an automatic decline in mental abilities, creative abilities or physical abilities. In fact, there are many examples of famous and not-so-famous seniors who remain creative and productive into their later years. Consider the actress Jessica Tandy who starred in "Driving Miss Daisy" and "Fried Green Tomatoes" in her 70's and won multiple awards in her 80's, CBS news anchorman Walter Cronkite who continued broadcasting into his 70's, Julia Child, the famous chef, is still going strong in her 80's, and George Burns is still making people laugh in his 90's.

There are many seniors in our own communities who are also remaining active and productive. Some of these seniors are going back to college; some refuse to retire and are continuing to work. Still other seniors are raising their grandchildren, volunteering for charities, and taking care of family members. It is important for all seniors to ignore the stereotypes of "declining senior citizens" and instead make productive use of their time. Research on aging shows that both physical and mental decline is either a result of an illness or lack of use. Apparently, there is truth to the saying "If you don't use it, you lose it!"

Getting old doesn't mean getting sick, or getting senile. Getting old means more knowledge, more freedom and more experiences. Take advantage of your abilities and remain active in later life. Here are some suggestions:

• pursue a new hobby that has always interested you, like painting, woodwork or playing an instrument. You don't have to be an expert; it is more important that you feel challenged and enjoy yourself.
  
• keep informed about cultural and political issues in the world and in your local community. By staying informed and voting, seniors can make a difference!
  
• become involved in group activities in your neighborhood, church or local senior center. Not only will you remain active but you will make new friends as well!
  
• a great way to stay informed, learn new things and entertain yourself is by reading books, newspapers and magazines. If your vision is impaired, ask a companion or family member to read to you or borrow books on tape from your local library.
  
• if you like to be around children, volunteer at a local elementary school or childcare center to either help out in the classroom or to talk with the children about your former profession or the changes you have seen in your lifetime.
  
• if you have a passion for animals, become involved with your local Humane Society. Animals are wonderful sources of unconditional love.
  
• if skills from your former profession can help others, keep those skills fresh by using them as a volunteer or even in a paid job. For example, teachers can help adults and children learn to read, former accountants can assist others in filling out tax forms, former secretaries can volunteer or be hired by a charity or church, and former homemakers have a variety of valuable skills that can benefit others.

Your Health

Have Your Cake And Less Fat, Too

Are you trying to eat your cake and have it, too? You might want to eat less fat, but you still want to enjoy tasty baked goods. Thanks to fruit purees, you might be able to. Fruit purees can substitute for fat in many baked goods.

Decreasing the amount of fat we eat can help control weight, control diabetes, and lower risk of heart disease and some types of cancer. But fat makes foods taste moist and satisfying. That makes them hard to give up. Sometimes a fruit puree can substitute for all or part of the fat, keeping the taste and moistness.

Every recipe will be different, but this guide may help you experiment using a fruit puree as a fat substitute. To substitute for 1 cup fat (butter, margarine, shortening, or oil), use 3/4 cup pear puree or applesauce and 1/4 cup fat. Or try 1/2 cup prune puree or mashed banana and no fat. If the recipe is not satisfactory, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of fat back in.

Here is a Better Brownie recipe that uses applesauce in place of some of the fat. A typical brownie might have as much as 20 grams of fat. A Better Brownie only has 3 grams of fat, yet is moist and tasty.

Better Brownies
1/2 cup flour, sifted
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 egg whites
1 egg
3/4 cup sugar
6 Tablespoons plain applesauce (not flavored with cinnamon)
2 Tablespoons oil
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon chopped walnuts (optional)

Combine flour, cocoa and salt. Mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg whites, egg, sugar, applesauce, oil and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture just until blended. Do not overmix.

Pour batter into an 8 inch pan sprayed with nonstick vegetable spray. Bake about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for at least 15 minutes. Yield: 12 Better Brownies

Nutrition Analysis per brownie:
Calories 100
Fat 3g
Cholesterol 18mg
Sodium 195mg

The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State College, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. For large print, taped or braille editions of this publication, contact the author.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Organization Committed to a Diverse Work Force

DP-CFR-078 March, 1995

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

Gale A. Buchanan, Dean and Director