Making things easier in the kitchen and bathroom

Changes you can make in the kitchen

• Make the most of contrast by highlighting edges of kitchen surfaces and plug sockets with wide, bright coloured tape

• If the top of your cooker is a light colour, consider replacing stainless steel pots and pans with dark-coloured ones

• Use light-coloured dishes on a dark table or table cloth, or vice versa

• Mark frequently used settings on the oven or other dials using Bumpons or some other tactile mark

• Remove any small rugs or mats from the kitchen - they are not easily seen and you could trip on them

• Try to keep cupboard doors and drawers closed at all times, and try to put things away in their proper places so you can find them next time

• White ingredients are easier to see against a dark bowl. Milk contrasts well against a black non-stick saucepan; serve white fish and mashed potatoes on a dark plate

• When pouring a drink, a liquid level indicator may prevent over filling. This small gadget has prongs which are hooked over the side of the cup. When the liquid touches the prongs the gadget buzzes and vibrates, warning you to stop pouring.

• Replace clear glass tumblers with those which have patterns, making them easier to see and always place them towards the back of a work surface where they are less likely to be knocked

• Placing a casserole dish in a baking tin makes it easier to remove from the oven as well as keeping the oven floor clean

• Consider a set of talking scales if you prefer to weigh ingredients or discuss other methods of measuring with a KAB Rehab Worker

• Avoid ‘touch sensitive' appliances - a basic microwave with a dial is far simpler to use and mark than a digital one

• When cooking vegetables, use a vegetable basket rather than draining boiling water
   

• If you have had a dip in confidence since losing your sight, ask KAB about skills groups focusing on a variety of topics, such as handling money, coping in the kitchen, cooking with a microwave and much more

The PenFriend, available from RNIB, is a really helpful tool that enables you to label food tins and packages using an audio label! Using specially designed, but very cheap labels, you stick a label onto the tin, touch the label with the tip of the pen and then record whatever's in the tin. And that's all. Next time you go into your food cupboard and want to know what's in the tin, just touch the label with the pen and it will read it back to you. You can also use it to label freezer food, medicines, books and CDs and even put events into your diary. The PenFriend costs £54.99 (excl VAT).

Watch a demonstration of the PenFriend here

You can order the PenFriend from RNIB's website

Or by phoning RNIB's shop: 0303 123 9999

Read more about equipment to help you around the kitchen

Changes you can make in the bathroom

KAB Rehabilitation specialists will be able to recommend many techniques that will help people with sight impairments maintain privacy and independence in the bathroom.

• Use mirrors that are illuminated and those with magnification
   

• Putting toothpaste onto your finger and then onto the toothbrush will enable you to feel how much you have applied

• Use a coloured toothpaste so it shows more on the white bristles of a toothbrush

• Use towels that contrast in colour with the bathroom décor

• Use a rubber-backed mat in the bath to help prevent slipping

• When you're running a bath, try floating a brightly coloured sponge. The sponge will indicate how high the water has risen

• Pick up the bath mat after each use and fold it over the edge of the bath to prevent tripping