5 Improvements to Your Home to Become Wheelchair Friendly

Having real solutions to accessibility can bring great peace of mind in your home life. But, creating a plan to ensure the whole house is wheelchair friendly may be challenging. Nevertheless, with several adjustments, your personal environment can become easier to live in. 

So, when you’re planning on buying a home in the near future, it’s important that it is wheelchair-friendly. We know that life, sometimes, just happens. Even if you already you’re your home and wanting to sell it, even after the improvements to make it more wheelchair accessible, now it’s time to do it all over again. 

Here are 5 improvement ideas for making a home more wheelchair friendly.

1. Add Wheelchair Ramps

If the entry to your home has stairs, you’ll want to install a suitable wheelchair ramp for better access. When choosing one, put into consideration your personal and physical needs, and the type of ramp that will serve you best.

Aluminum threshold ramps tend to be cost-effective, and long-lasting enough to hold up to a wheelchair’s weight. General threshold ramps offer portability and can be put wherever they are needed. Pathways ramps give lightweight stability and optimum security for wheelchairs. Modular ramps are suitable for people living in houses that need more elevation than what is provided by other ramps.

2. Adjust the Design of Your Doors

You will also need to concentrate on the doors in your home. Every door should be at least 32 inches wide, so that there is sufficient room for a wheelchair to pass through effortlessly. Additionally, the doors should be easy to open. Your doorknobs should be easy on your hands and wrists. Avoid auto-closing doors that close too fast, because they will not give you enough time to pass through.

3. Make Improvements to Your Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the most critical elements when it comes to making a home wheelchair friendly. Having an easy to reach shower and toilet makes every bathroom trip stress-free. You can incorporate a shower seat in your bathroom, so you can sit in a comfortable position when cleaning up.

Grab bars are also essential, because you’ll need something to grab onto while placing yourself onto the shower seat or toilet. In addition, you should ensure your bathroom flooring is slip-proof to prevent accidents. A toilet riser might also be required to enhance access.

4. Change the Layout of Your Bedroom

Having sufficient room for your wheelchair is a critical part of making your bedroom accessible. You should also consider what you typically do in this area of the house, including entering and leaving your bed and wearing clothes. Search for a bed size that is large enough to allow for comfortable sleep.

Furthermore, keep items you might require at nighttime on a nightstand close to your bed, so that you will not face any difficulty. Dressers should also be near the bed and in a position that allows for seamless reach to drawers and sufficient room for dressing.

5. Include Smart Home Features

One of the best ways to make your home life easier is to include a smart doorbell that comes with a camera. Such a device will allow you to see anyone who knocks at your door, and probably save you a trip to the door if it is unnecessary.

Adding an alarm system in your home is also a smart choice. It will help to save your life in case intruders break into your house while you are sleeping.

Conclusion

Living with a wheelchair can be hard, but there are numerous ways to reduce the stress through effective home improvements measures. You might be planning on selling your home if it is not wheelchair friendly, and look for a new one. However, if you cannot buy a home at the moment, rather than selling your house, you can incorporate the tips given above for a wheelchair accessible abode.