Make Your Home Accessible with these Tips

Make Your Home Accessible with these Tips

Looking to make your home more accessible due to injury, aging, or a loved one who needs assistance? You are not alone as there are times in life where many people are in need of a little help to either get around the house or get in or out of certain places within the home.

In this case, we will take a look at some areas of the home that can be made accessible for either handicapped individuals or those that are elderly (even by using specific mobility devices). Even if in question of whether or not to put in some of these features, it is a good idea to begin to think about it as the days could come where their need will be fully utilized.

Here are the accessibility areas to look at:

1. Entrance to the home

It may be obvious for some, but one of the first areas to look at for accessibility is at the entrances of the home. Whether it is the front porch or the entryway coming from the garage, wheelchairs may be needed to get in. If this is the case, a ramp should be made either in addition to or replacement of the stairs. There needs to be enough length and width for the ramp as well as handrails to ensure a safe voyage up. Look into ramps for wheelchair accessibility

2. Bathing areas

When considering the tub and shower area of the home, the bathing areas should be considered for improved accessibility. Whether it is assistive equipment for bathing , or stairway swivel stair types of grips for getting on and off of the toilet, these features can be a great help to avoid slips and falls in the bathroom areas.

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3. Flooring options

If you think about navigating a home from a wheelchair, carpet sometimes is not the greatest option. A hard flooring such as hardwood, laminate, or nylon should be used for maximum mobility when on wheels. In addition, keeping doorway thresholds low and flush to the ground and avoid different types of transition pieces is also essential to ensure fewer bumps and no bruises from falling out of a wheelchair when navigating the home.

4. Height options

All around the house will be options for lowering the height of areas to ensure accessibility from either a standing or a sitting position. For example, lower counter-tops in the kitchen and in the bathrooms can allow for individuals in wheelchairs to be able to reach anything on the counters without having to get up from out of their chair or ask someone else to reach for them. Outlets, sinks, and toilets can also be lowered (or raised if necessary) to ensure that individuals who had mobility needs can reach any area of the home. Consider these height options when making your home more accessible for everyone.

Conclusion

Although very few people ever plan on needing assistance with their mobility in the home someday, the reality is that as we age and get older, we may need options to help us out and let us access all areas of the home.

Using these tips for accessibility in the home can be helpful to serve certain family members who have needs and even yourself someday as you may enter a period where the need for options are there.

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Hopefully these tips were helpful, and we would love to hear your feedback in the comments section below.