Life moves unexpectedly, and for anyone in the world reading this, the subject of this blog could apply to you in the future. As a mom, your home may need to be adapted in many ways over the years – to accommodate a growing family, to allow room for new pets and new furniture, or to be sold all together. One way in which it may need to be adapted is for a wheelchair user.
This could be for one of your children, elderly relatives who move into the home, or even for yourself. Disabled wheelchair users are often sidelined as a non-priority in our society, meaning that it can be difficult for them to navigate everyday activities. For your home to be safe and easy to access for a wheelchair user, you will need to implement some changes.
Here are 3 ways to adapt your home for a wheelchair user.
Get a ramp installed at your front door.
One crucial point of access to your home is, of course, the front door. If you have any steps up to your door, which most homes do, you will need to provide an alternative way for a wheelchair user to access your home via the front door.
The easiest way to do this is to have a ramp installed at your front door. Aluminum ramps are the most cost-effective type of ramp you can purchase, and can be modified so that you can still use the steps as a non-wheelchair user if you require. The ramp will need to be wide enough to accommodate a standard wheelchair.
Make sure all necessary facilities are on one floor
If you are accommodating a wheelchair user who will be living in your homes, such as a child or a relative, you need to shift the layout of your home around. The most difficult thing for wheelchair users is having to scale multiple levels unless you have ramps in your home that can replace stair use. This, however, is uncommon.
The best way to accommodate a wheelchair user in your home is to ensure that all necessary facilities are on the same floor, such as a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. This will give the wheelchair-using person more autonomy over their routine and privacy.
Reduce clutter in the space
One nightmare for wheelchair users is having to navigate messy or cluttered spaces. Small items left lying around on the floor can become obstacles for the wheels of the chair, and can even damage them long term. If you are preparing your home for a wheelchair user, make sure you reduce the clutter in your home space.
You could do this by purchasing extra storage such as hampers or boxes to store kids’ toys, pet items, and any other small things that end up lying around on the floor!
Changing your home for disability needs is a process that can take time. Use this guide to help you make your home comfortable and easy to navigate for wheelchair users.
