Big thanks to Home Access Products for sharing these fantastic accessibility tips! Be sure to check out their infographic at the bottom for even more great ideas.
When a wheelchair becomes necessary in someone you love’s life, many aspects of your life will have to be adjusted to your new lifestyle. One of the most important things you’ll have to do is make your home wheelchair accessible. To plan for a wheelchair accessible home, take a look at each room in your house and envision how home modifications and aging at home products could improve accessibility.
In bedrooms, install a phone or alert system near the bed, with an overhang lift or manual trapeze to help with getting in and out of bed. Similarly, in bathrooms, install a phone or alert system near the toilet and shower in case of falls, and use bath tub lifts and commode lifts to make movement easier. Finally, grab bars in the shower, on the bathtub, and next to the toilet will help make balancing safer; allow for three feet of space between furniture for unobstructed movement.
In the kitchen, make sure that countertop and cabinet height is within arm’s reach from a wheelchair; this may require lowering. Table height should have at least 27” of knee clearance between the floor and table underside, and you should clear a floor area of at least 30”x48” at each seating location.
If the home resident needs access to the basement or attic, a stair lift will ensure safe transportation. For outdoor stairs or porches, install an outdoor stair lift that can last through all types of weather, as well as a portable ramp that goes up to the front of the home. For longer outdoor staircases, a vertical platform lift will serve as an outdoor elevator. Keep all door widths at least 32” to let wheelchairs easily pass through.
For garage accessibility, a stair lift can help residents easily get to garage work benches, pantries, and storage. Some residents may prefer a garage ramp as a safe and comfortable way to exit the home in poor weather conditions. A two-car garage will allow for plenty of space to manuever between the vehicle and home.
In general, keep indoor and outdoor pathways clear and wide enough for mobility scooters, rollators, power wheelchairs, and standard wheelchairs. Standard width for a hallway is 36” and for a doorway is 32”. The minimum clear space for a 180-degree turn is 36” in all directions.
Every room in a home should be well-lit, as should hallways. Light controls should be easy to reach, access, and use. For security, place multiple phones and alert systems throughout the home in case of an emergency. A reliable security or alarm system will protect the resident in and around the home.
Your home is where your heart is, and making your home wheelchair accessible will let you continue to live in comfort in your home.
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