Important Home Modifications That Will Make Living in Your House Simpler
Whether you have disabilities that have developed with age or you live with a close family member who has disabilities, making sure that you have the proper home environment is vital to ensuring personal safety and making it easier to engage in daily activities. While people may understand the importance of these features, they may overlook some of the most important renovations when trying to determine what is necessary. If you need to change your home to better suit you or your loved ones, here are some important home modifications for elderly and disabled family members that you should focus on.
Accessible bathrooms
The bathroom is arguably one of the most important focal points when it comes to disability safety. This is due to the fact that many bathrooms contain surfaces that can be dangerous to disabled, elderly individuals. Areas such as the shower, the toilet, and the sinks can be difficult to reach or use. An accessible bathroom will offer flooring that is not slippery, will make sure that there are plenty of handlebars around that will help disabled individuals to support themselves as they move around, will provide raised seating in the shower and on the toilet, and will make it so that everything is within reach. You should focus a lot of attention on turning your bathroom into a safe, easy-to-use space.
Stair safety and entrances
A lot of attention is focused on ramps leading into the home, but the truth is that those living in multi-story homes will also need to focus on making stairs leading up to the second level safe and accessible, as well. If you or a loved one are able to walk but require some assistance, you will need to install handrails along the entirety of the stairway so that there is always something to grab onto as you make your way up. You will also want to make sure that stairs are large enough to prevent falls and accidents and that the area is well-lit along the path. If there is someone in the home who is unable to walk, it is important to install handrails as well as a chair lift that can carry them from the bottom of the stairs to a safe area at the top. For those with wheelchairs, keep in mind that all entrances and exits should be accessible, as well.
Kitchens, appliances, and storage
Like the bathroom, the kitchen is another area that can be difficult to access and dangerous at times. You will want to make sure that all surfaces are lowered or heightened, depending upon the disabilities that those in the house are dealing with. Storage areas such as cabinets and pantries should be at a comfortable height so that everything is within reach at all times. You should also make sure to keep safety products like fire extinguishers nearby in the event of a fire. These tips can be utilized throughout the entire household when it comes to storage and safety. You should also make sure that any mats or rugs used in the kitchen do not slide easily and can support the person in question.
Most houses are not suited for the elderly and disabled, and this can pose a real danger to anyone who lives in these environments and has difficulty navigating their immediate areas. To ensure safety within your home for you or a loved one, take into consideration the home improvements listed above and make your home a safe place for everyone to use.
