planning a kitchen to best deal with failing vision

[pathologicallygill]

I wonder if any of your readers who manage with pathological myopia have any thoughts on creating a new kitchen. I am planning placing a central island with a white work- surface which I will use to pull all ingredients and utensils together for preparation. I intend to put in a pull down ceiling pendant that will effectively be a task lamp over this. Has anyone any experience of this - I think I will need quite a strong light below eyeline but has anyone any insider knowledge?

I am also thinking knobs rather than LED displays.

Any shared knowledge on this planning a kitchen with vision problems in mind will be most helpful. eyes have been stable for a few years at-13 but recently curve giving distortion on macular and sight dimming

[rosyG]

I think the RNIB may be able to help with this

[kyrp]

Hello Yes am very high myopic and have poor eye sight ...I had light adaptations in my kitchen which i find so helpful ... its best to have a cotrast with colour s on surface when fir example u chop vegetables ...I had a vision rehabilition officer from Adults Social Care as am registered with disability...definitely get in touch with RNIB ...all the best

[pathologicallygill in reply to kyrp]

Thank you. I am thinking a white surface as most chopping boards and cooking pots etc are a different colour. Units in a petrol blue. What were your light adaptions that you found useful? I am sacrificing wall cupboards for extra windows to increase the amount of natural daylight into the new space.

[kyrp in reply to pathologicallygill]

Yes it sound as a goof idea the contrast with the white surface and the different colours of the items u are going to use .. The light adaptations were over my cooker under the kitchen cupboards for extra lighting for my work top and the main light in the kitchen ...they are helping as I can see better ...lighting is so helpful ...also at work the special extra lamp I got helps to see callers numbers...even when I have my contact lens in couldn t see it but now i can as better light helps ...

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear pathologicallygill,

It may be worth getting in contact with the sensory team at Adult Services. They deal with individuals with a sight impairment. Individuals can self-refer to them and ask them to attend the home and conduct a needs assessment. The sensory teams remit is to help keep individuals independent in their own homes. They look at aspects such as the lighting and cooking. Depending on the level of need assessed, they may do some of the adaptations free of charge.

I am copying a link to our information on Lighting, Low vision aids and Using Technology:

macularsociety.org/resources

Please contact us direct if you would like a copy of our suppliers details.

In addition, this link may be of assistance:

pocklington-trust.org.uk/pr...

The Macular Society Advice and Information service is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.

Alternately, you can contact us via:

[e-mail]

Kind regards,

[StokeySue]

It’s somerging I’ve thought about a lot

Certainly I’d go for expert help if you can, and it depends on budget too of course. Certainly try to get help on task lighting, you will need several lots of lighting for different zones

These are my thoughts so far

- white or very pale grey work surface (check you don’t find white dazzling). I currently have slate grey, awful. I do have a set of those coloured chopping boards, very handy for zoning the work surface

- induction hob, I have always preferred gas but would like to reduce the risk of setting my sleeves on fire. Must have rotary knobs, I dislike those video game displays even when I can see them, and mostly I can’t

- high level oven preferably with telescopic shelves so that I can see the food without crouching down and sticking my head in it

- similarly those deep drawers rather than cupboards so you pull the contents into the light rather than blocking it out with your head and shoulders, and objects can be in single layers

- dishwasher as nobody wants glasses washed by someone who can’t see the smears

[pathologicallygill in reply to StokeySue]

Thanks Sue, I will try loan a sample of the white worktop though all my windows will be north facing and I hope it wont be a glaring problem. So many people have suggested a visit to expert help i will check this out at my next hospital visit.

[Janbeach]

I have glaucoma, both eyes and wet Macular D. In left eye and dry in right eye. I am having to use the light over the stove, eyeglasses and a magnifying glass, to read the instructions on some packages now. It’s frustrating.

[pathologicallygill in reply to Janbeach]

yeah Ive taken to finding a magnifier easier than the juggling of contacts then two sets of glasses. its these changes that I want to whilst I have the "moment" to make sure I am getting it right. Seems that getting the lighting right is the biggest help. Thanks for replying.

[Janbeach in reply to pathologicallygill]

I bought a couple of those battery operated stick on lights. I leave them in cabinets that are too dark to see inside. I use them like a flashlight. It helps.

[Ceri2]

You probably all know this anyway, but just in case: Bump ons, small, raised orange stick on spots available from the RNIB are great for marking regularly used settings on appliances. E.g. regular oven setting or wash cycle. They also sell a bright orange permanent marker for the same purpose. I try and use plain white plates so I can see the food more clearly and just reading the post has made me wonder if I can buy pans which are cream or white on the inside. 😀

[Janbeach in reply to Ceri2]

Stickers are a good idea.

[pathologicallygill]

Thank you to all who have replied to this post. I will be taking all this on board but please keep sharing. I have just researched on the macular society technical help and found and downloaded an app Magnifier with light onto my smart phone. It is good for me. I have put it on the front page and I can use siri to open it and it gives up to 10 times magnification with a strong light. Perfect for those times I have the wrong pair of glasses on my head!! Free to download.

[VVomboKombo]

I think it's a good idea to install some lights, and I'm planning to do that when I get to the kitchen. Right now, I'm renovating the exterior of my house, and plywood sheets from mgnbm.co.uk/timbers-joinery... turned out to be a real salvation for me. I don't think it'll take me long to get everything done, and I'll check this thread again to do everything the right way with my kitchen.