The past two years, our family home has changed, as our mother ’s condition has changed. Since she had an accident and fractured her right leg 2 years ago, her mobility has become difficult, she needs to walk with a walking stick and also needs to use the wheel chair as she can’t walk longer than 10 mins. This post will be useful if you or your family member who recently become disable.
If you become disabled and have to use a wheelchair, whether it’s a temporary or permanent requirement, the way in which you use your home will change. Therefore, you need to make sure that the right steps are taken to make sure that your home is as suitable as it possibly can be. Below, you will find information on some of the things that you will need to do to make your home suitable and usable for you.
Most Things Will Stay the Same
The first thing to make clear is that most people are able to keep the majority of their homes the same when they start using a wheelchair. Your home is probably more adaptable than you might think. Things like stairlifts are common things that can be installed. But those don’t have much of an overall impact on the home and how it’s used. So, make sure that you don’t start planning massive changes to the way that your home is laid out because that kind of thing is probably not necessary. Keep things simple and think practically to begin with.
Doorways Might Need to be Widened
One of the main things that people need to have done when they are using a wheelchair is having doors widened. Of course, this depends on the size of your doorways and how big the wheelchair you use is. But it’s one of those basic things that can’t be ignored if it is a problem for you. You’re going to need to be able to get through the doors one way or another. However, making the doorways in your home wider might be easier than you think. A builder should be able to get this kind of job done relatively quickly and without much hassle.
The Bathroom Could Need an Overhaul
The bathroom is where the bulk of the work needs to be done in terms of changes. Companies like Coverite can help you if you want to completely remodel your bathroom to suit your new needs. When this happens, you just need to make sure that you have a say in the design of the room. Everyone is different, so everyone’s needs are different too. At the very least, you will need more grab rails that make using all of the bathroom’s features simple for you. These can be installed pretty cheaply and easily.
Countertops in the Kitchen Should be Lowered
If you are going to be using a wheelchair for a significant amount of time to come, it also makes sense to make some change in the kitchen. If reaching the countertops is becoming a struggle for you, simply have them lowered. You can then prepare food and take care of all the tasks that need to be taken care of in the kitchen without putting yourself under unnecessary strain. They can be lowered relatively easily. You might have to sacrifice some storage space to make it happen, but most people manage to find a solution that’s right for them.
