Living with a disability can make simple tasks seem impossible, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Finding the right living space to cater to a disabled person can be challenging and requires time. However, you could also consider transforming your existing home into a disability-friendly space. Indeed, if you can’t find the right housing program for your needs, could designing your dream disability home be the answer to maintaining your independence?
By incorporating some smart home technology, making small adjustments to your home, and taking into consideration how to physically move around the space, you can make your living space accessible to people with disabilities so they can live independently and fully enjoy their time at home with their family and friends. Here are tips for making your home more disability-friendly so everyone can enjoy their time there.
Get your priorities straight
It can be hard to know where to start when making a home more disability-friendly. Here are some of the most important items to consider: Your home will require specialist furniture or solutions to adjust to your needs.
You can reach out to contractors and medical providers to find out more about the right options, such as installing a wheelchair-friendly ramp or upgrading your shower cubicle. If you suspect there will be improvement works to consider, it can be a good idea to put your belongings into secured storage pods. This will ensure easy access for builders and will protect your furniture and items from damage and dirt.
Start with your bedroom
The bedroom is often one of the most important rooms in a home, but there are many accommodations that can be made to make it more accessible. The bed should be positioned so that the person with a disability can easily get up and down from it, or they may need a hospital bed that doesn’t require climbing over to use. It’s also important to make sure that any pathways are wide enough for wheelchair access and that the door swings open in the correct direction for those who need assistance.
Adapt your kitchen to suit you
When most people think of home improvements, they think of kitchens. A kitchen is the heart of the house and a place where everybody likes to congregate. But they can also be a difficult space to navigate if you have a disability. Here are some tips for making your kitchen more accessible:
Look into adjustable cabinets or shelves. Some companies sell cabinets that can be adjusted in height or width, and that would help someone with limited mobility get their dishes easily out of the cupboard without having to reach too high or low.
Consider lower worktops and automated faucets, so you can gain access to everything without necessarily remodeling the entire kitchen.
Use accessibility-focused solutions in other rooms
One of the most important things to consider when making a home more disability-friendly is creating accessible solutions throughout the house. This will ensure that the house can be adjusted to the unique needs of the person with a disability:
- For example, using a wheelchair ramp outside will allow for easier access to the house and make it easier to navigate through different parts of the home.
- Broader doors also leave more room for wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility-friendly technology.
- A chair lift on the stairs can make sure you maintain full access to every floor of your home.
- Rails in the shower and around the home can help with mobility issues.
- Etc.
Use smart home tech if needed
You can use smart technology to create a more disability-friendly environment. Smart homes provide the ability to monitor and control lights, locks, temperature, security systems, and more with just the touch of a button or a voice command.
Another option is installing a video doorbell that allows you to answer the door without ever leaving the couch or using an intercom system so you can speak to someone at your door without opening it. Smart home devices are becoming instrumental in maintaining independent living for people with disabilities.
Getting medical aid like live-in care and visiting nurses is essential
You can arrange for medical assistance by asking your doctor or contacting a local caregiver agency. You can also hire a live-in care provider who will take care of everything for you, including cooking and cleaning. If you need visiting nurses, they will come to your home as needed and provide the same services as if they were living there full-time.
Nowadays, it is important to understand that disability is not an obstacle to a fulfilling life. On the contrary, with approximately 61 million US adults living with a classified disability, it has become essential for society to develop and meet their needs. Many disabled people do not need a specialist nursing home and continue to live life to the fullest in their own homes!