Creating an “accessible” home can seem intimidating and in a way, it can be. From creating mindful floor plans, spacious doorways, and chair lifts to many other architectural changes, a carefully designed “accessible” home requires effort, time, and planning. However, if your loved one is needing a wheelchair temporarily or your home receives visits from wheelchair-using loved ones now and then, this blog will be helpful for you.
We have shared some easy-to-implement yet practical tips to make your space more wheelchair-friendly in a hassle-free way.
INSTALL A USED STAIRLIFT
Rather than investing in a new stairlift altogether, a used stairlift might be better if your home has multiple stories. Stairlifts are a great way to ease access to different floors without any worries or putting a strain on your loved one’s knees. A reliable dealer can help you get an excellent stairlift option, carefully refurbished and offering the same value as promised by its manufacturer.
Additionally, it won’t hurt your pocket once you are done using it.
GO FOR ALUMINUM WHEELCHAIR RAMPS FOR SALE
Aluminum wheelchair ramps are easy to install while improving the functionality of wheelchairs across a space tremendously. You can opt for portable options, or the best aluminum wheelchair ramps, depending on the utility and design of your space. Besides, even if you go for permanent installation, ramps prove highly beneficial due to their functionality and use-case. While evaluating your home for ramp access, ask these questions to yourself:
- Is there adequate space available for a ramp?
- Does the ramp need to make turns to improve access?
- Is the lot relatively flat or significantly slopes away from the house if you think of installing it at the front door?
- While improving access from the garage to the house, what’s the position of the door entering the house relative to the parking area?
INSTALL GRAB BARS AND HANDLES
This doesn’t take much time, money, or effort to improve accessibility in your space and maximizes safety against slipping and falls substantially. Grab bars help with stability, especially when getting up or down the toilet seat or coming out of the shower. Be strategic in its installation and mindful of the “reach” and size of the handle.
PLACE YOUR FURNITURE STRATEGICALLY
If your living room, alley, hallway, or other high-traffic area is too congested or occupied with too much decor or furniture for a wheelchair, try to take out a few pieces and rearrange your space. Remove all the heavy and big pieces out of the way of movement to add some width. Also, consider raising the height of the furniture to make the transfer from the wheelchair easy and seamless. Use wooden blocks or furniture coasters for the same.
ARRANGE YOUR KITCHEN AND CLOSET FOR ACCESSIBILITY
Do you have a messy kitchen with storage items lying around? Are the stacks in your closet too high for the wheelchair user? Arrange the appliances at a lower height and everyday objects in the lower cabinets. Lower the closet rods to make reaching for clothes easier.
A little thing to note here is that you might have to customize the list depending on your loved one’s lifestyle and level of accessibility. This is a generic blog that includes all the easy to install hacks to improve the functionality of your home. If you would like expert assistance in deciding on accessibility solutions for your home, browse our website or connect with us.
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