When it comes to improving the accessibility of your home, you have a few options to choose from. These include leveling your home entrance, adding a stair lift, and installing window sills. In addition to these options, you may want to contact a professional to help you make your house more accessible.
Stair lifts
Stair lifts can help make your home accessible for everyone. They provide safe and affordable access to your upper levels. In addition, they can mitigate the risk of falls. This makes it possible for seniors to live independently in their homes.
Falls are the leading cause of accidents. The result of a fall can be painful rehabilitation and high medical bills. When a person suffers a fall, they may lose their confidence in their ability to perform daily tasks.
One way to help prevent these incidents is to install a stair lift. A stair lift is a device that mounts on either side of a staircase and provides safe and efficient access. It also eliminates the need to climb the stairs.
A stair lift is an ideal way to help seniors age in place. Unlike an elevator, it doesn’t require major renovations to your home. You can choose from a range of models and features to ensure the perfect fit for your needs.
Level home entrances
If you are planning a home improvement project or two, you may want to include a a level home entrance in the mix. The latest home building trends suggest that this type of remodel is more common than the traditional sloping tiled affair. For the lucky few, a redesigned home can be the elixir of life. When it comes to making your home a place where you can actually enjoy spending time with your family, the old guard can take a back seat. Luckily, with a little elbow grease and ingenuity, you can be a happy home owner in no time.
Interior doors
Improving home accessibility means more than just installing ramps to the front door, and a new set of carpet to the back. Luckily, there are some clever tips and tricks to make your home more livable for those with physical disabilities. These include widening your front entrance and adding a touch of class to the bathroom. Adding motion sensing lighting can give your front entry a boost.
While you’re at it, consider a stairfree entrance to the main level. A stairfree entry provides an easy route to the kitchen and bathroom. Whether you are in the market for a new home, or simply updating your current abode, here’s how to do it right.
Besides the obvious stairway, a good start is to have a hallway measuring at least 36 inches wide. This is an ideal width for wheelchairs to negotiate, while giving walkers room to breathe. Another benefit is that it will free up space in the living and family rooms.
Window sills
Window sills are a great way to protect your home from water damage. They are angled to direct rain away from the building and they can be made from several materials. A solid wood sill is the classic, but if you’re on a budget you can opt for a less expensive, but more durable, particleboard version.
One of the most important functions of a window sill is holding the lower rail in place. In addition, it’s also a decorative feature that can be used as a seat or storage area. If your windows are over twenty inches high you may find it difficult to reach the top.
For a functional and fun window sill you can opt for something that catches your eye, such as a faux-marble or faux-granite design. You can also choose a tile variant that is not only aesthetically pleasing but easy to clean.
Occupational therapists
Occupational therapists are expert home management professionals who can advise you on the changes you need to make to your home to increase accessibility. They can also provide advice on equipment that can help you achieve your goals.
OTs are skilled in assessing a person’s functional status, sensory and emotional status, and health conditions. This knowledge allows them to recommend modifications that can improve independence, and to assess how well the modifications will work. OTs work with clients and other health care providers to identify and assess barriers to independence.
As a result of previous research, occupational therapists have become increasingly aware of how to improve home accessibility. Using a STEADI algorithm, they are now able to suggest changes in the home that will reduce the risks of falls and other hazards.