Health & Medical Disability

How to Make a Home Accessible for a Person with Mobility Issues

If you are trying to figure out how to make a home accessible for yourself or a family member suddenly faced with mobility problems, you may be wondering if moving is the easier option. However, most people prefer to stay in their home as long as they can, and with modern technology it is often possible to remove any impediments so that you can safely and conveniently continue to perform daily activities in the place you have called home for many years. As a caretaker to someone with mobility issues, modern devices make it easier to assist the elderly or disabled person.

How to Make a Home Accessible by Working with an Accessibility Solutions Company

Many homes were not built with diminished mobility in mind, which makes continued living in the home difficult without modification. For someone with mobility issues, climbing stairs into the house and between floors, maneuvering a wheelchair between rooms, working in the kitchen, and using the bathroom, can pose major obstacles. 

By working with an accessibility solutions company attuned to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, you will get custom recommendations for modifications based on your needs and budget. A firm that specializes in aging in place modifications can examine your home to make sure that the necessary renovations are possible. Some older homes are difficult to renovate, which makes moving a better choice in some cases. The company can give you a feasibility assessment of what needs to be done, along with the cost, so that you can decide whether it's worth it. 

Fortunately, there are some loan and grant programs available to subsidize part of the cost which can help you make your decision. 

Popular Renovations for Aging in Place

What are some of the most popular renovations that can be done for your home to make it more accessible?
  • Household improvements. Your home may need safe, properly constructed and installed ramps to access the house, widened door jams that allow you to enter into the room, and hallways that allow you enough room to turn around. Although most homes do not have enough room for an elevator, a vertical lift inside the home or on a porch can move a wheelchair about six feet from the ground.
  • Stair lifts. Available in straight or circular style, chairlifts will take the person up and down the stairs in a side car that moves along a rail by the wall.
  • Bathroom accessories. Grab bars in the bath, shower, and around the toilet can help you get up and down and remain steady on slippery tile or porcelain, or even help you transfer to and from a wheelchair. What's even better is replacing your existing bathing facilities with a walk in shower or bathtub.
  • Kitchens. By eliminating barriers in kitchens and adjusting counters, sinks, and cooktops to be no more than 34 inches high, a person with a disability and who may be wheelchair-bound can safely navigate the area and be able to access everything they need to cook, eat, and wash.

To find out how to make a home accessible, contact a licensed accessibility solutions company that specializes in meeting the needs of those with mobility issues.

Photo Credit

Leave a reply