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| Helpful tips to make your home wheelchair accessible. |
In this post, you’ll learn how each area of the home should be modified to accommodate a wheelchair.
This helpful graphic brings to life those areas that may need attention. This is courtesy of KD Smart Chair, manufacturer of lightweight folding power wheelchairs.
Visitability. Whether you are moving in to a new house, taking care of an family member who uses a wheelchair or entertaining a wheelchair-bound friend, these guidelines will make it more convenient for you. Visitability is a term that means making your home accessible to a friend who may be wheelchair bound or who uses a walker.
Entrances. It is recommended to have a a portable ramp leading to the front door and an all-weather stair lift. This will make an easy access entering and leaving the house. Better yet, if you’re building a new home, design it with zero step entrances (even in the garage).
Garage. The garage should have enough room to move around and get out from the car equipped with an entry door ramp for quick access to and from the car.
Bedroom. For the bedroom, a phone or an alert system near by should be installed in case of emergency and in case you need help. An overhang lift to facilitate getting in and out of bed may also be needed.
Bathroom. Bathroom modifications include having grab bars installed next to the toilet as well as in the shower. A bathtub lift would also be quite useful with 13” – 30” bottom.
Kitchen. The kitchen, which is often the favorite room in the house, should be spacious enough to allow wheelchairs to maneuver with door widths of 32” minimum. Having an easy access to countertops and cabinets is essential with adjustable heights to provide convenient reach to those in wheelchairs.
Lower or Upper Level. Stairlifts, dumwaiter, elevators. Many homes with newer construction now have basements and upstairs level along with attics, which makes having a reliable stairlifts essential for making your home wheelchair-friendly. You can also consider a dumbwaiter or elevator in new construction.
The infographic also highlights some of the accessibility tips for clear pathways, standard widths, proper lighting and security system to protect your home.
View the full infographic
Further Reading:
The CareGiver Partnership Founders Commission Construction of Aging-in-Place Model Home
Age in Place Home Design
Aging in Place: Important Considerations to Making a Home Safer For Seniors
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| Call us. We're here to help you. |
About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visit http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.
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