How to Design a Kitchen in a Group Home

Residences in the community which are called group homes because they are collectively inhabited by those with developmental disabilities are meant to blend into the neighborhood as much as possible.

But, although the outward appearance of a group home gives no indication of the disabilities of those who live there, certain design features within the home are created in order to accommodate the tasks of daily living.

The kitchen in a group home, for example, is designed in the way you'd pretty much expect, with a sink and refrigerator. But there are still adjustments which have to be made in the design of a kitchen in a group home to make it as compatible as possible with those who struggle with developmental difficulties.

Locked Cabinet Space

You probably don't have a cabinet in your kitchen which has to stay locked. The design of a kitchen in a group home, however, makes use of this locked cabinet space because certain medication has to be kept out of reach.

The design of a kitchen in a group home should also provide storage for a special log book which records the times when this medication is taken and when the time comes to replace the supply of it.

Easily Accessed Space

One of the goals of the group home is to encourage independent living for those with developmental disabilities. This goal plays into the way the kitchen in a group home is designed.

For example, if a man is encouraged to get his own dinner plate, then these plates have to be stored within easy reach. Shelves can be lowered to accommodate him. Separate storage for those in wheel chairs can also be part of the design of a group home kitchen.

This idea also applies to designing a kitchen in a group home with a handicapped stove, for example, which is made lower so that those in wheel chairs can help with cooking.

Workshop Space

Part of the daily experience for group home residents is to attend a workshop where they can learn unique skills and have other social activities.

For this reason, the design of a kitchen in a group home has to consider space for those items needed for this workshop. These items can include lunch boxes, portable nutritional drinks, plastic spoons, and other handicapped eating utensils.

In sum, the outward appearance of a group home gives no indication of the developmental disabilities of those who live there.

Even the design of the kitchen in a group home is fairly typical, with adjustments being made to accommodate the special needs of these people.

Source: personal experience