Remodeling Your Home for Accessibility

As you or your loved ones get older, you might consider doing some remodeling to make your home more accessible. Aging in place is a very common goal for a lot of people entering their golden years, so accessibility is becoming more important in long-term home design. Thinking ahead and remodeling your home for accessibility early is better than waiting until the modifications are already needed.

Here are a few ways you can modify your home to be more accessible.

Make Your Doorways and Hallways Wider

As people get older, they might need to start using more mobility devices like walkers and wheelchairs. But many don’t realize that many wheelchairs are a little bit too big to fit through a lot of doors in your home. Also, while they can often go straight down a hallway, they might not be able to properly turn.

A key way to make your home more accessible for wheelchair users is to widen your doorways and hallways. It’s important to give them the most maneuverability possible. They should be able to glide into rooms, turn around easily, and not get stuck in tight spaces.

Add Handrails and Grab Bars to the Bathroom

Handrails and grab bars in places like the bathroom are perhaps the most important accessibility modifications you can make. As the bathroom is often one of the most slippery rooms in the house, whether it’s the tile floor or the bathtub, it’s vital to install grab bars to prevent an accident. Key places to install them are next to the toilet, in the shower, and beside the bathtub.

Replace Steps with Ramps

Ramps can be a massive boon to those with physical disabilities. Naturally, wheelchair users need them, but even the elderly who use a cane or walker, or simply have walking issues can benefit from a ramp. Replacing your front steps with a ramp provides a smooth, gradual incline for anyone with mobility issues.

There are a lot of things to consider when installing a ramp, however. First, you will need to get a permit to build a wheelchair ramp. You should consider if the ramp will be permanent or temporary and what materials you should make it from. Also, it shouldn’t be a DIY job as the ADA has strict guidelines for the incline and angle to ensure the safety of those who use it.

Install Lever Handles for Doors

Making your home more accessible doesn’t always require extensive remodeling. Something as simple as lever door handles to replace doorknobs can make a huge difference. Lever door handles can be a major help to those who suffer from arthritis or have other issues with gripping round door knobs. They’re easier to grip and turn so everyone can get in and out with ease. The installation process is often quite quick and easy, and can make your home look more modern and stylish.

Remodeling your home for accessibility now is the kind of long-term thinking that could save you a lot of trouble down the road. It can make your home more desirable if you choose to sell it, or it can simply make aging in place easier for you and your family. Contact us today to get the remodeling process started.