Why planning now for aging in place and making a home wheelchair accessible is important. We meet with clients many times that need an immediate solution to get back into their homes sometimes after rehab or after falling or injuring themselves or when it simply gets to diffcult to get upstairs using the staircase. It can give piece of mind to give it thought and plan a solution now, or have a solution already in place instead of having to do this afterwards when it could be a stressfull time after an injury or illness or simply when having difficulty getting upstairs or back onto the front steps or garage steps to get back into the home.
It is an important step to gaining back your indepence and comfort to stay in your home.
It may be a daunting task with all the choices, one with wich we have the expertise and products to help you. You can get recommendations from us and other places and get a plan or solution in place. many new products are on the market today and still coming in the future as more of our population ages.
Here are a few modifications that can help making your home safer and accessible.
Widen Doorways and Hallways
One of the first modifications that should be made to make your home more wheelchair
accessible is to widen doorways and hallways. Standard doorways and hallways can be too narrow for a wheelchair to pass through comfortably. By widening these spaces, you can improve accessibility and increase maneuverability throughout your home. Plus, you’ll reduce the risk of banging your wheelchair against walls and doorways, which can protect your home—and your knuckles!—from damage.
Install a Ramp or Vertical Platform Lift
Installing ramps or vertical platform lift is another important modification that can be made to make the exterior of your home more wheelchair accessible.
Ramps can provide a safe and accessible alternative to stairs, allowing those with mobility issues to enter and exit their homes independently. Ramps can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, aluminum, and concrete, and can be designed to fit the unique needs of your home. Aluminum is preferred usually because of the longevity and quicker sometimes more cost effective installation.
Vertical Platform Lifts are gaining more in popularity especially when HOA's are involved or if the height is to much to install ramping. Ramping needs one foot of ramp for every one inch in rise. This can add up quickly especially in our coastal areas where home are raised in flood zones. Vertical platform lifts can be much more cost effective, easier to use and can also be had in different colors and protected from salt environment if closeto the coast.
Install a Homelift
Homelifts are popular with new models on the market for homes that are in need of an elevator, but do not have a shaft in place. These are much more cost effective and energy efficient if the home does not have a shaft in the original plans, or need a shaft retrofitted. They are free standing and can be placed almost anywhere.
Install Grab Bars and Handrails
Grab bars and handrails can be installed throughout your home to provide additional support and stability for those with mobility issues. These safety features can be installed in areas such as bathrooms, hallways, and stairways to prevent falls and improve accessibility. While this modification doesn’t necessarily make it easier for your wheelchair to move about your home, it does provide important support for transitioning in and out of your wheelchair, particular in the bathroom or when using a stairlift.
Lower Countertops and Sinks
Lowering countertops and sinks can make it easier for those in wheelchairs to complete everyday tasks such as cooking and cleaning. Most countertops in both the kitchen and the bathroom are not designed to allow access from a seated position. This makes it extremely difficult for you to tend to your basic needs like preparing your own meals or even washing the dishes. By lowering these surfaces, they can be easily accessed from a seated position, improving comfort and independence.
Install a Stairlift or Elevator
For those with multi-level homes, installing a stairlift or elevator can greatly improve accessibility. These devices can provide a safe and comfortable alternative to those longer flights of stairs, allowing those with mobility issues to move freely between floors. Note that if you use a wheelchair, a stairlift will require you to have separate wheelchairs for each floor of your home, since they can’t be placed on the stairlift themselves. If you want to move your wheelchair between floors with you, a residential elevator is a better choice.
Modify Bathroom Features
Bathrooms can present unique challenges for those with mobility issues. To make your bathroom more wheelchair accessible, consider installing a roll-in shower or walk-in tub. These modifications can make it easier for those in wheelchairs to bathe safely and comfortably.
Additionally, consider installing a raised toilet seat and handrails to make it easier to use the restroom. These modifications can greatly improve accessibility and prevent falls in the bathroom.
Consider Wheelchair-Friendly Flooring
Flooring can also be a factor in creating a more wheelchair-friendly home. Carpet can be difficult to navigate in a wheelchair, while hard flooring such as tile or hardwood can be slippery and unsafe. Consider installing non-slip, low-pile carpet or vinyl flooring to create a safer and more comfortable living space.
In My Home Accessibility understands the importance of accessibility and mobility for those with disabilities. We offer a wide range of Stairlifts, Homelifts, Elevators, Walk In Baths, as well as accessibility improvements like ramps and bathroom modifications.
Contact us today to find the right accessibility improvements for your mobility needs and to make your home safe and accessibble again.
Request our free Stay In Your Home Guide here: https://www.inmyhomeassistance.com/contact