Living with Physically-Challenged People: How to Make the House Accessible

Living with mobility issues is difficult. If you’re sharing a home with people with disabilities, the least you can do to support them is to adapt the space to their needs. This will increase their independence and improve their quality of life. At the same time, you will worry less about their safety. So, what can you do to make the house accessible? Try these tips.

1. Install Stairlifts

People with mobility issues don’t like feeling like they’re a burden. That’s why they would appreciate it if you installed stairlifts in your home. This equipment allows them to move between floors without assistance. It’s important to remember that many home accidents happen on the stairs, so getting a stairlift will also enhance safety. Issues like slipping and falling will be entirely eliminated. You don’t necessarily need to move in order to get a house with this equipment. Stairlift installation in Orlando is affordable, and the entire process can be completed in under 4 hours. With so many options to choose from, you shouldn’t have trouble finding stairlifts that match your décor.

2. Widen Doorways

It’s important to widen your doorways so that people in wheelchairs are able to conveniently access rooms. With standard doorways, wheelchair users will have to twist or bump into spaces. This will increase their risk of getting bruises and injuries.

3. Remodel Your Bathroom

Remodeling your bathroom comes with many benefits. It increases the resale value of your property, lowers your utility bills, and makes the house more luxurious. On top of these, you can make your bathroom more accessible to people with disabilities. Some things you can do to achieve this include adding anti-slip flooring, grab bars, and low-threshold showers.

4. Get Movable Items with Wheels

Moving this around can be a challenge for people who use walking aids. If you’re buying items that may need to be moved around regularly, you should prioritize those that come with wheels. For example, power stations and tables with caster wheels will be convenient for people who need flexible home working environments.

5. Work on Your Kitchen

The kitchen is a crucial part of your home. Simple changes made in the kitchen can make your home appealing to potential buyers, so you should look at this renovation as an investment.

To make the space accessible to handicapped individuals, you should determine the optimal height for ovens and other appliances. The work surfaces should also be height-adjustable to accommodate people in wheelchairs.

Main Points:

• Install stairlifts to increase safety and promote independence
• Widen your doorways and pathways to accommodate wheelchairs
• Remodel your bathroom and kitchen
• Movable items should come with wheels

Conclusion

If you’re living with elderly people or individuals with mobility challenges, you should optimize the space to meet their needs. One thing you must do is install stairlifts to minimize the risk of falls. It’s also important to widen doors and pathways since these spaces need to fit walking aids. If you’re planning on buying movable items, consider getting some with wheels. Finally, take the time to remodel your bathroom and kitchen.