If you or a loved one has recently been confined to a wheelchair, there are several considerations that need to be made quickly to create a handicap accessible home.
You’ll need to look at all areas of your home and determine where a wheelchair can freely maneuver. Below are a few of the considerations that you’ll likely have to make.
Showers – A large, walk-in shower is ideal, but there are plenty of options that don’t involve a significant remodel. Bathtub lifts provide a safe and convenient way to gain access to a traditional tub. Portable showers are another alternative for people who may have difficulty accessing their bathroom shower. Grab bars, safety rails, and other bathroom safety products can also make the bathroom a safer place for your wheelchair user.
Doorways – This is a simple oversight when it comes to creating a handicap accessible home. You’ll want to measure the current doorway to your home and make sure it’s wide enough to fit a wheelchair – otherwise it will need to be widened. Same goes with any interior doorways as well.
Carpets, rugs and other impediments – Thick carpets can make it difficult to operate a wheelchair. If this becomes an obstacle, the carpet may need to be removed. A smooth, flat surface, such as tile or hardwood makes it easier to move around in a chair. While you’re at it, consider the thresholds between rooms. If they are too hard to maneuver over, they may need to be removed.
Kitchen – All dishes and food stored out of reach may need to be relocated to lower cabinets. It may also be worth examining countertop height and make sure that there are surfaces that are still usable in the kitchen.
Ramps, lifts and other access – The stairs that you’ve traversed without a second thought may now be an impediment to access. In order to create a handicap accessible home, you’ll need either a ramp or a stairlift.
Are you looking to install a ramp or a stairlift to create a handicap accessible home? RampNow can help! Contact us today!
