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How to Make a Home More Accessible for Wheelchairs
April 27, 2017
Outfitting your home to be wheelchair accessible can be an overwhelming undertaking. Prioritizing what projects to start on first is an important step in your renovation process. Let’s look at some home improvements that could make your home more wheelchair accessible, and your life easier.
General Home Improvements
One of the first things you will want to improve in your home is your entryways. Many home entryways have stairs, which can be very challenging. Additionally, some older doorways may not be wide enough to comfortably fit a wheelchair through. Installing a ramp over or in addition to the stairs of your entryway can make access in and out of the home much easier. If you have an older home with narrow doorways, your home improvements may be a little bit more complex, but worth it for your convenience, and for the resale value of your home!
Inside Staircases
Making the stairs in a home more wheelchair accessible can feel like a massive undertaking. Installing a platform lift is often the best option in homes where stairs are inevitable. In some cases a chair lift is also a good option.
Kitchen Improvements
Once you have the major issues out of the way, another place to make some changes is your kitchen. Adjusting the counter height in your kitchen can make daily tasks in the kitchen so much easier. Likewise, having smooth flooring in the kitchen can make wheelchair access easier.
Bathroom Improvements
Making adjustments to your bathroom can also make your home much more wheelchair accessible. Bathrooms present a unique challenge because they tend to be small spaces, where independence is of utmost importance. Installing grab bars in the bathroom can make a huge difference in making the bathroom more user friendly. In addition, choosing a vanity with a high enough clearance can make using the sink easier for those in a wheelchair. Another consideration is installing a curbless shower, so wheelchairs can roll in and out. Installing a shower with a seat can also make the bathroom much more usable for those in a wheelchair.
Renovating your home to make it more accessible for wheelchairs can feel like a huge undertaking, and it may be tempted to consider a move instead, but there are things you can do to make your life simpler. By making adjustments in the most frequently used areas of your home, such as the entryway, kitchen, and bathroom, you can make your home more functional, and your life simpler.
