Loughborough University
Browse
Housing Care and Support journal April 2012.pdf (271.36 kB)

Older people's experiences of their kitchens: 2000 to 2010

Download (271.36 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2012-10-31, 11:01 authored by Ruth Sims, Martin MaguireMartin Maguire, Colette Nicolle, Russell MarshallRussell Marshall, Clare Lawton, S. Pearce, J. Percival
Purpose – This paper aims to present the quantitative results based on a comparison and evaluation of older people's experiences, needs and wants from their current kitchens, combining and comparing the results obtained from two studies conducted in 2000 and 2010 to see what progress has been made. Design/methodology/approach – A study in 2010 investigated the life-long and contemporary experiences of kitchens of 48 people aged over 60 years of age. The research included detailed questionnaire interviews asking people about their experiences of living in their current kitchen. A previous study, conducted in 2000, asked many of the same questions of 22 people in the same age group. Findings – By combining and comparing the two sets of data it seems that only limited progress has been made in terms of kitchen design meeting the needs of older people between 2000 and 2010. Research limitations/implications – Owing to the small sizes of the samples it is not possible to compare the figures statistically or present them as fully representative of the British older population but while the two samples are limited both had similar characteristics of age and gender, so differences do show potential trends over time. Practical implications – The research refers to guidance and a computer based design tool and identifies a number of practical implications for design. Social implications – As people age their abilities and needs can change and their kitchen may no longer be as accessible or appropriate to their needs. Originality/value – This paper adds to the relevant guidance for designers, developers and managers of buildings where the continued personal use of a kitchen is important for continuing independence of older people.

Funding

EPSRC for the funding of the EQUAL project and the ESRC New Dynamics of Ageing Programme for their funding of the Transitions in Kitchen Living project

History

School

  • Design

Citation

SIMS, R. ... et al., 2012. Older people's experiences of their kitchens: 2000 to 2010. Housing, Care and Support, 15 (1), pp. 6 - 15.

Publisher

© Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Publication date

2012

Notes

This research paper was published in the journal, Housing, Care and Support [© Emerald Group Publishing Limited] and the definitive version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14608791211238386

ISSN

1460-8790

eISSN

2042-8375

Language

  • en

Usage metrics

    Loughborough Publications

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC