Design of Adaptive Kitchen Tools for Elderly Users in Retirement Communities in Enugu State

Nigeria's ageing population is growing steadily, yet product design for elderly users remains underdeveloped within the national industrial design discourse. This project investigates the functional limitations experienced by elderly residents in retirement communities in Enugu State, South East Nigeria, and responds through the design of adaptive kitchen tools that accommodate reduced grip strength, diminished manual dexterity, and visual impairment. Structured interviews and observational studies were conducted with sixty-eight residents aged sixty-five and above across three retirement facilities in Enugu and Oji River. Common kitchen tasks reported as problematic included opening jars, peeling vegetables, measuring liquids, and gripping standard cutlery. Responding to these documented needs, this project develops a set of five adaptive kitchen tools including a lever-action jar opener, a weighted ergonomic peeler, a tactile-marked measuring cup, and adapted cutlery with broad soft-grip handles. Prototypes were produced using high-density polyethylene and food-grade stainless steel, prioritising non-slip surfaces and tactile feedback. User testing over three weeks with forty participants assessed ease of use, reduced effort, and confidence during task performance. Results indicate a statistically significant improvement in task completion rates and a reduction in assistance required from care staff. The project recommends that adaptive kitchen design be incorporated into the curriculum of Nigerian design schools and that standards be developed for gerontological product design. Keywords: adaptive design, elderly users, kitchen tools, Enugu State, gerontological design.