About this topic
All people have different abilities. Most want to be as independent as possible. You may need to make some changes if you are planning to bring a loved one to your home after an illness or injury. You can also use these same ideas when building a new area. This may help all people feel welcome and comfortable. ‚
General
Doorways and Entrances: ‚
- Doorways need to be at least 36 inches wide for wheelchair use. Consider using swing clear hinges to make the door open wider.
- Watch out for thresholds. These may be hard to roll over in a wheelchair.
- Use lever-style door handles. They are easier for any person with grip problems or limited movement of the arms or hands.
- Ramps also need to be at least 3 feet wide and not too steep. For each 1 foot you need to go up, you will need between 12 and 20 feet of ramp length.
- Consider a stair lift for moving up and down flights of stairs.
Kitchen: ‚
- Make sure light switches and electrical outlets can be easily reached.
- Consider taking away the door on a cabinet below the sink. This will let someone work while sitting. Be sure the pipes are covered to protect from burns on the legs. This will also work below a cooktop stove.
- If you have a regular stove and oven, think of putting a mirror behind the stove. This will let a person in a wheelchair to more easily see what is cooking on the stove.
- Use turntables in cabinets to have access to each thing inside. Pull-out shelves are also easy to use.
- If putting in new cabinets, consider having them set up high enough to plan for the footrests on a wheelchair.
- Use a faucet with a single lever instead of 2 handles.
Bathroom: ‚
- You may need to take out the bath tub. Put in a roll-in or walk-in shower. This may be a less costly choice than fully remodeling the bathroom.
- Think of using a pedestal sink or taking the doors off of the vanity to give knee space for a seated person.
- Toilets come in different heights. Find one that will be easy to sit down on and get up from.
- Consider using grab bars. Some attach to the walls. Others are secured to the floor. Install grab bars in the shower and in front of and beside the toilet.
- Simple fixes like antislip rubber mats are important. Throw rugs are not safe and should be avoided.
- A handheld shower and a shower chair can make bathing easier for many people.
- Single lever faucets are also easier to use in the bathroom.
Bedroom: ‚
- Think about the best kind of bed. Are railings needed? Would a hospital bed that raises and lowers make it easier to care for your loved one? Consider a trapeze for over the bed as well.
- Special beds may be rented from a health care supply business.
- Keep a nightlight on in hallways and bathrooms. You may want to consider a bedside commode to limit walking at night.
- An electric lift chair is helpful to assist a person from a seated to standing position easily.
To help with limited eyesight: ‚
- Clearly mark changes in floor levels. Use a bright white or reflective tape.
- Keep walkways free of furniture.
- Use higher wattage light bulbs.
- Use highly contrasting colors, like a light plate on a dark placemat or white trim on a darker doorway.
To help with hearing loss: ‚
- Carpet floors and put curtains on the windows. These can block distracting echoes.
- Consider using special tools with lights or vibrations for alarms or timers.
- Have quiet spaces away from the main activity of the household. It may be easier to talk and hear if there is less noise around.
To help with a frail or disoriented person: ‚
- Pad corners of furniture to reduce the effect of a fall.
- Get rid of all throw rugs and clutter.
- Place barriers or gates to block off parts of the house.
- Consider using alarms. These can let you know if an outside door is opened.
- Fence in your yard and put a lock on the gate.
- Use motion detectors to alert you when a person is up and about.
What will the results be?
Your loved one will have as much independence as possible. The place will be safe and limit the chances of getting hurt. ‚
Where can I learn more?
Department of Health and Human Services ‚
http://www.eldercare.gov/ELDERCARE.NET/Public/Resources/Factsheets/Home_Modifications.aspx ‚
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency/American Association of Retired Persons ‚
http://www.phfa.org/forms/brochures/homeownership_programs/doable_renewable_11_8_05.pdf ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚