Inclusive Kitchen Design for Older Adults: Generative AI Visualizations to Support Mild Cognitive Impairment

TL;DR

This study developed an AI system that transforms standard kitchen photos into MCI-friendly designs, aiding older adults and caregivers in visualizing accessible modifications to support aging in place.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel AI-based visualization tool using Stable Diffusion models to generate realistic, cognitively friendly kitchen designs for older adults with MCI.

Findings

Participants preferred AI-modified kitchens as more cognitively friendly.

High confidence in kitchen choice selections among participants.

Visualizations significantly helped in planning home modifications.

Abstract

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) affects 15-20% of adults aged 65 and older, often making kitchen navigation and independent living difficult, particularly in lower-income communities with limited access to professional design help. This study created an AI system that converts standard kitchen photos into MCI-friendly designs using the Home Design Guidelines (HDG). Stable Diffusion models, enhanced with DreamBooth LoRA and ControlNet, were trained on 100 kitchen images to produce realistic visualizations with open layouts, transparent cabinetry, better lighting, non-slip flooring, and less clutter. The models achieved moderate to high semantic alignment (normalized CLIP scores 0.69-0.79) and improved visual realism (GIQA scores 0.45-0.65). In a survey of 33 participants (51.5% caregivers, 36.4% older adults with MCI), the AI-modified kitchens were strongly preferred as more cognitively friendly (87.4% of 198 choices, p < .001). Participants reported high confidence in their kitchen choice selections (M = 5.92/7) and found the visualizations very helpful for home modifications (M = 6.27/7). Thematic analysis emphasized improved visibility, lower cognitive load, and greater independence. Overall, this AI tool provides a low-cost, scalable way for older adults and caregivers to visualize and implement DIY kitchen changes, supporting aging in place and resilience for those with MCI.