Increasing home accessibility for mobility impaired individuals 

The home is the place where everyone should feel perfectly comfortable and secure. Still, for those dealing with a disability, there can be several impediments that make the household a challenge. Making the necessary modifications is necessary to ensure safety, and you must ensure that the solutions are perfectly tailored to help the mobility-impaired individual. Depending on what you want to accomplish, the remodeling project can take quite a while and be quite pricey, so it’s always a good idea to make a comprehensive plan before changing anything around the house.

If you’ve been thinking of commencing such a project, here are some things you might want to include in your plan.

Furniture 

Before adding anything new, you must first determine if and how you can rearrange the items you already have. You must have plenty of open space available for wheelchair or walker use. Any obstruction can lead to accidents and injury, so avoiding them from the beginning is essential. A 5-foot turn would be ideal, but if that’s not possible in your home, just go for the maximum amount possible for you. There should also be a roughly two feet path between the different furnishings. These are the standard parameters, but you should work around them as much as possible to adapt them to your household.

Install a stairlift 

These mechanical devices have a history dating back to the early 20th century, but rudimentary chair lifts have existed long before, with historians discovering that King Henry VIII of England had a chair lift operated as a block and tackle system by the servants at White Hall. A stairlift is one of the most helpful devices for people who find stairs to be challenging, as they can complete transfers both up and down any type of staircase safely and comfortably.  

In this sense, they’re a must-have fixture in the home of people with challenged mobility. Versatile and easily adaptable, they can be integrated into curved rails as well. They are also simple to use, and the lift can be built with extra cushioning to make each ride even more comfortable. It restores the user’s independence and can also help them feel more self-confident and resilient. However, you already know that a more significant home modification must also come with an elevated price tag.

There’s no single answer to how much is a stairlift since the price largely depends on three crucial factors: the type of device you choose, the extra options and whether you’ll purchase a new or previously owned stairlift. To discuss the prices and learn more about the choices available to you that can suit your budget, you should contact a team of expert advisors who can offer further assistance.

Ramps instead of steps 

Installing ramps in your home is the simplest and most straightforward way to make every room more accessible in one fell swoop. While permanent ramps might require permits, the portable ones are uncomplicated to install. There are several types you can try, including:

• Folding ramps: This short-term option provides flexibility and is available as both a bi-fold and a tri-fold
• Threshold: They are the perfect choice for uneven indoor and outdoor floors, and while they are typically relatively tiny, they can bridge elevation differences up to six inches.
• Modular: If you need a solution for spaces that are more unusual or unique in size or features, the modular ramps don’t require professional skills to install and come equipped with additional parts that can be customized.
• Suitcase: Similar to the folding option, this type of ramp is relatively lightweight and simple to travel with since it can morph into the shape of a suitcase
• Permanent: This is the most common and easily recognizable type of ramp. Generally made out of metal, it generally requires professional installation as well as an official permit. While the upfront costs are more elevated, the permanent ramps are also perfect for your long-term needs.

Grab bars and handrails 

Making a home more accessible for people with disabilities involves a lot of careful thought and attention to detail because you must think about many different but plausible scenarios where you might experience problems because of your restricted mobility. Handrails and grab bars are the best solutions to make bathrooms safer. Getting out of the shower or bathtub is no longer a slipping hazard this way, avoiding the risk of serious injury.

However, they can be attached in any area that requires a lot of movement and activity, including bedrooms, the kitchen and even the living room. Make sure that the grab bars are just as high as the user needs them. Otherwise, they could do more harm than good.

Rugs 

Flooring options are a challenge when you’re mobility impaired, and you must weigh all your options carefully. The most accessible flooring is the one that enables you to have a secure and smooth experience without any possible impediments. As such, many people seek to remove all rugs out of the way to avoid any potential issues. However, others are concerned that this will cause flooring to become too slippery.

If you want to continue using rugs in your household, you should secure them underneath so they don’t bunch up or move underneath the wheelchair. For individuals who require a walking frame or cane, carpets can be helpful, as they provide extra cushioning and grip underfoot, meaning they’re extra steady.

Remove hazards 

Making sure to remove all hazards out of the way can help as well. Many of these potential dangers are located in the kitchen. Everyday items should be easily accessible in the lower cabinets, where there’s no risk of them falling and causing physical harm. Instead of having built-in appliances, you should rearrange everything near the sink to make daily tasks accessible. You might need to talk to an expert about all the rearranging projects since things can get complicated and challenging to figure out on your own.

Instead of tall wardrobes or closets, choose low dresses or chests of drawers for clothing. They’re much more accessible to rifle through, regardless of your mobility capacity. In the bathroom, you should consider getting sitting benches or poles for extra security on top of the safety bars. Non-slip bathroom tiles made from cement or porcelain would help as well.

Creating a safer home can be challenging when there’s a mobility impairment to take into account. But with a little careful planning, it is easily achievable.