You might be planning ahead for your own life, have parents in old age or someone else in family using a wheelchair. Whatever be the situation, today, no one needs to be dependent on other people for their special needs.
Science and common sense have provided many devices and ways which can help you and your loved ones sustain a normal lifestyle. For example, stairlifts can make life easier for someone on a wheelchair! To create a safe and strong home environment where you and your loved ones can thrive, it is important to keep in mind several factors which affect accessibility.
Read on to know more about such factors which make your home more accessible on a wheelchair!
1. Make the entrance to your home wheelchair friendly
This is the most basic thing while ensuring your home is easily accessible. Adding something as simple as a ramp to your entrance will increase accessibility many fold. Depending on your porch area and the number of entrances, you can opt for the number and types of ramps. You can also go for a rising platform in case a ramp is not feasible. While commissioning any kind of construction, pay special attention to the width of the ramp and the material used to tackle with slippery surfaces and other issues.
2. Have wider doorways
This is an important parameter to take care of! Mostly, doorways/hallways are overlooked while creating accessible spaces. Going from one corner of the house to the other in a wheelchair is seemingly impossible if the space to move around is just not wide enough. Simply by opening up spaces, removing a few frames or doors, you can make your house more comfortable and convenient for yourself and your loved ones.
3. Take care of your flooring
Just like in case of the ramp, the general flooring of your house has to be compatible with the wheels. In case you have spread out carpets or rugs, those should be removed for the best. Use tile or hardwood flooring with non-slippery surfaces for the best grip and movement possible. You should also take care of not having any hanging wires or other things loose in case someone on the wheelchair trips over it. Small gestures like this open up your house.
4. Keep height in mind while doing fittings
Be it your kitchen top or your doorknobs, most of us do not give a second thought while fitting everything on the normal height. However, for someone on wheels, the normal height might not be easily or at all accessible. To establish and encourage their independence, it is necessary to take care of all the fittings – windows, doors, kitchen appliances – and try to keep everything in their reach.
5. Install a platform lift or stairlift
Last but not the least – stairs! When using a wheelchair, staircases are one of the biggest nightmares. Now, you might not be able to install an elevator in your apartment, but you can sure get a stairlift or a platform lift, which will make full accessibility a dream come true in your home. While getting a stairlift, keep in mind the ease of getting in and getting out of the lift as well, which is an important aspect of accessibility.
So, we definitely hope you’ll keep these simple tips in mind if you want to allow you aged parents to lead a more comfortable and hassle free life in their golden years!
