Disabilities can alter the way we operate in day-to-day life, even in familiar environments like our homes. Your home can quickly become a challenging space for disabled individuals, especially as it’s full of obstacles that many of us don’t pay a second thought to. Whether it’s bathroom fixtures, stairs, certain surfaces, or doorknobs, all of these can suddenly become hazardous. You’ll want anyone who walks through your front door to feel right at home from the get-go. Therefore, if you’ve got a disabled loved one visiting, several solutions can make your home more accessible for all. Read on to discover the best tactics for creating a wheelchair-friendly environment.
Replace steps with ramps
If the exterior of your property has a step or two leading up to the front door, it may be time to replace it with a ramp. Should someone in a wheelchair visit your home, they’ll have great difficulty entering your home. Steps aren’t just a hazard for wheelchair users, but anyone with limited mobility. You can install a fitted ramp that will solve this problem. If you want to keep your steps, consider buying a portable ramp from Adapt a Home. We have a vast selection of mobility aids and disability aids that will make your home accessible for wheelchair users.
Install a stairlift
Understandably, someone confined to a wheelchair is not going to be able to take the stairs. If you don’t have a downstairs toilet that they can use, you should consider looking into installing a stairlift. They come in all sorts of styles and can be installed as a permanent modification in your home. Installing one enables a disabled guest to get to the first floor without any problems. Also, don’t worry about a stairlift affecting the value of your home, especially if you plan to sell in the near future. Simply remove it prior to putting your home on the market.
Get rid of clutter
Many of us are guilty of having lots of clutter piling up in our homes. If you resonate with this, you may have no trouble sifting through it to sit down. But, have a think about how someone would do the same in a wheelchair. If you’ve got obstacles on the floor, a wheelchair user will have great trouble getting from A to B. It’s essential you get rid of clutter before a disabled guest arrives. That way, they can navigate around your home without bumping into anything that could cause damage to their wheelchair.
Rearrange furniture
In addition to getting rid of clutter, it’s wise to rearrange your furniture before a disabled friend pops over. For example, moving your coffee table to the wall will create more space and allow your guests to roam around with no issues. If you store shoes on the floor in your porch or hallway, house them somewhere else while your guest is around. This is because they may have problems even getting in the front door because of them. Even if your guest isn’t in a wheelchair, having more room to move around is better, especially if there are lots of people.
Update your toilet
You’ll be forgiven if you don’t give a second thought to going to the toilet. After all, we simply sit down, do our business, get up, and away we go. What you may not be aware of are the challenges wheelchair users face doing the same thing. To easily get out of their wheelchair and back in, you should install grab rails. These can be made from stainless steel or tough moulded plastic. The purpose of grab rails is to give the user something to hold onto when making difficult movements, or if they need help with balancing. Wheelchair users can use grab rails which assist in transferring onto a toilet or shower board.
Remove bathing barriers
For many wheelchair users, the bathroom presents all kinds of obstacles. When tiles become wet and soapy, they can become extremely hazardous, not to mention countertops and baths which can put your loved one at a higher risk of a fall. If your loved one is unable to stand, it’s advised to add stools or a seat to aid in bathing. Shower stools are more comfortable and easier to sit on than sitting on the floor.
They also feature slats that enable water to flow through and drain away. Also, consider having a seat fixed to the wall. It can drop down and fold up when a loved one takes a shower or bath. There should be no barriers when it comes to disability. Unfortunately, many homes present hazards that can make it difficult for those in wheelchairs to get around. The good news is there are lots of changes you can make both in and outside the home which will make your property accessible for everyone.
