Many people are living with a disability. If you’re living with someone who has a disability, it’s important that their home environment provides the comfort and support they need to lead a happy and safe life.
While some newer homes have been built specifically with people with disabilities in mind, many older homes have not.
Whether you’re hoping to make your new home more accessible or you have an older home that will need significant changes, this post will cover the modifications you can make to ensure your home is more accessible and safer for your loved one.
Here are a few things you can do:
Ask some questions
There are a few things you can ask to ensure your home will best suit the needs of someone with a disability. These include:
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Is there are least one entrance without steps?
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Are entrances and walkways free of hazards and well-lit?
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Are shelves and cabinets easily reachable from a wheelchair?
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Does the kitchen have a surface that can be used while sitting?
Think about accessibility
Easily getting around the home can be something that able-bodied people take for granted. But when you have a disability, it can be difficult to move between the living room and bedroom or bathroom. Check that you have sufficient lighting throughout the home- particularly in stairwells and hallways. Make sure that long hallways and stairs have light switches available at both ends- so there’s no need to navigate in the dark.
It can be a good idea to ensure that doors have handles and not knobs if your loved one has limited mobility in their wrists or hands. Stairlifts can help for people who are unable to get up and down stairs- particularly if the lower level doesn’t have a bedroom and full bathroom.
Pay attention to the bathroom
Bathrooms can be dangerous even for people who are able-bodied. And for people with disabilities, using bathrooms that don’t accommodate their needs can be a risky experience.
It’s a good idea to install grab bars throughout your bathroom, especially near the bath, toilet, shower, and sink. Walk-in showers are the best as they eliminate the need to step over a tub or ledge and reduce the risk of falling. Non-slip pads and mats should be inside the shower to stop slips.
