Many mothers have children with disabilities, or parents that have a harder time getting around. In these situations, it’s good to know the best ways to help accommodate them. Whether you order new equipment for your home at jamesonmedical.com, or you replace simple things in your home, making a home disability-friendly is a great way to show your loved ones you care. If you’re unsure of what exactly you house needs to improve accessibility service providers like Selectability NDIS Cairns can help assist with daily living and advise on some ways to improve accessibility. In the meantime, here are a few ways to get started.
1) Invest in a Ramp
A ramp that leads to your front door is one of the easiest ways to modify your home. Whether you install a rubber threshold or assemble an entire metal ramp, wheelchair and crutch users will thank you. No more hobbling or rolling upstairs for your relatives! A ramp will get you inside with ease.
2) Install Grab Bars
Grab bars are handy tools to help people rise from a tub or the toilet. With these bars in place, switching to a wheelchair can be simpler. It also prevents slipping and falling in the tub.
3) Redo Your Flooring
Many able-bodied people don’t realize that rugs and carpet can hinder disabled people from being able to walk across the floors. Consider vinyl, laminate, or hardwood instead to make your room wheelchair accessible.
When you do have mats or rugs, make sure to put grips on them to prevent sliding. This makes it easier for people to walk or roll across!
4) Replace Door Handles
People with disabilities often have a hard time turning door handles. Lever door handles are much easier to control for people with coordination issues. The same rule also applies to sink faucets. The lever is always better! Make sure to also install them lower than usual so more people are able to reach them.
Automatic doors are also an option if you’re looking to replace your doors. This eliminates the problem of door handles entirely. It also helps wheelchair users who may not be able to open and move through a door at the same time.
5) Create a Step-in Shower
People with mobility issues may have a difficult time stepping over a tub to access the shower. This problem can be avoided with a step-in shower, and perhaps a separate tub. You can contact a contractor to help with renovations, and updated bathrooms generally make home values higher as well!
For extra support, you can also consider a shower bench for people to sit on. This makes it easier for people who are easily fatigued by standing to be able to shower. It also adds extra comfort for everyone!
6) Make Your Doorways Wider
Most of the time, wheelchairs and walker users have a difficult time navigating through doors. A doorway should be about 35 inches wide for a wheelchair to comfortably fit through. Hinges are available to install to widen doorways to make them more easily accessible. Otherwise, redoing an entire doorway can be costly.
7) Rearrange Your Furniture
The power of simply rearranging your furniture may be enough to make your home more accessible. Make your furniture wider apart, at least 32 inches for wheelchair and walker clearance.
Making sure items on top of counters are towards the edge of the furniture is also important. This will ensure that a person in a wheelchair can reach appliances in the kitchen, among other things.
In Conclusion
Renovating your home for a loved one is just the thing to help them feel safer and more included. With these renovation and decoration ideas, your house will be steps closer to being a more accessible space for everyone.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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