Many seniors or people with mobility concerns learn to deal with any obstacles or challenges in their homes because they don’t know of a solution to help. According to this AARP Fact Sheet, greater than one million older people with some type of disability live in a home that has barriers to meeting daily needs safely. Sometimes it may take major renovations to a home, depending on its existing layout, but most of the time small adjustments can make a significant impact. Here are a few adjustments to consider making in your home.
Widen Walkways By Rearranging Furniture
If your living space isn’t quite as spacious as you’d like, consider rearranging it to create more of an open concept, if possible. It’s especially important to rearrange furniture if you need to use a wheelchair, walker or scooter to move around. You need enough space to make wide turns as safely as possible and prevent losing your balance at the same time. It may be difficult to get rid of furniture that you’ve had and loved for a long time, but if downgrading to something that fits your current needs makes sense, then it’s worth it in the long-run.
Install A Wheelchair Ramp Or Platform Lift
The aging population sometimes doesn’t want to accept the fact that a wheelchair ramp can make their life significantly easier. Wheelchair ramps today can be designed differently to fit specific needs, while also being aesthetically pleasing. Depending on the exterior entrance of the home, or if you have a garage entrance, patio, deck or other entryways with stairs, a vertical platform lift can also be beneficial. The goal is to avoid having to walk up the stairs as much as possible. A wheelchair ramp provides a gradual incline and decline with safety rails to grab. A vertical platform lift doesn’t require you to lift your feet much at all to be raised and lowered to the next level.
Bathroom Adjustments To Consider
The bathroom is where many small home modifications can make the most significant impacts. People with mobility concerns are often nervous taking a shower or bath because of the fear of slipping and falling. Installing simple grab bars in the shower, around the toilet and anywhere else in the bathroom can bring peace of mind. The grab bars provide you with something to hold as you’re walking and they are strong enough to prevent you from falling if you lose your balance.
At Next Day Access, we offer mobility solutions for the aging population, whether you simply need grab bars installed or want to do a full home renovation. When we visit your home to provide you with a free home assessment, we will listen to understand your specific needs and suggest solutions accordingly. You will not feel pressured to make a purchase, as our main goal is to ensure you are comfortable throughout the entire process. To learn more about our products and services, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.
