Home modifications help elders and those living with disabilities stay in their homes longer. Effective home designs allow the person to easily complete day-to-day tasks on their own. When you redesign a home to make it more accessible, you’re required to take a lot of things into account. After all, there are a variety of home designs you can choose from. Consider these for your home.
Multi-Level Countertops
Kitchens are one of the most important rooms in the home. They’re usually plagued by tall countertops and accessories, therefore making the kitchen inaccessible to those with disabilities. One way to make a kitchen more accessible is to incorporate multi-leveled countertops. These countertops can serve as a prep area for those using wheelchairs or little people. Since it’s multi-leveled, an average-sized person can also utilize the space when they need to.
Multifunctional Grab Bars
Grab bars are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to make a home more accessible. Grab bars can be placed throughout the home to make even the most inaccessible rooms accessible. There’s a common myth that grab bars have to be bulky or made out of plastic. However, there are sleeker, more stylish grab bars you can install. You can find grab bars to match any home aesthetic while also making it more accessible to everyone. It can also be a beautiful addition to any room.
Widen Doorways
For households that have members who use a wheelchair, widening doorways is a great way to make the home more accessible. Doorways should be 36 inches or wider to comfortably accommodate a person using a wheelchair. You can achieve this width by constructing a new door or replacing the hinges with expandable ones. Another low-cost option to widen doorways is replacing doors with curtains or installing sliding glass doors.
Avoid Carpets
Carpets can be difficult to navigate if you’re using an assistive device. Instead of carpet flooring, switch it out for a more accessible flooring option. Consider using wood, laminate, vinyl, or any other flooring material that provides a smooth surface. Some wheelchair users prefer rug flooring where they need traction to transfer from one point to another. If this is the case, carefully place your rug on top of your accessible flooring and secure it to the floor using adhesive.
Here to Help Make Your Home More Accessible
The certified Assistive Technology Professionals and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists at Freedom Mobility are here to help make your home more accessible. With a wide range of assistive technologies, rental equipment, and home accessibility equipment, we guarantee you or your loved one will enjoy their new accessible home. Give us a call at (443) 998-8940 now to talk to one of our experts.