How to Adapt Your Home to Meet Your Evolving Mobility Needs
Everyone is just one bad accident away from being handicapped in some way. Those who either already live with a disability or who are experiencing a slow deterioration (for example, due to age) are already well familiar with the many tiny ways that homes, businesses, and even the world at large just isn’t fit for purpose. While the Americans with Disability Act has absolutely made serious strides towards making businesses and public properties more accessible, it doesn’t mean that homes are necessarily ready for the transition.
The good news is that you can always adapt your home. You simply need to follow this guide to make sure those home upgrades work with your needs.
Start By Understanding How Your Condition Could Progress
Age changes all of us, and knowing how it will impact your body can help you better adapt your home from the start. Even someone with a permanent disability can deteriorate. For example, if doctors have amputated your arm in the past, your remaining one may be more susceptible to issues like arthritis, as you come to rely on it exclusively.
Talk your condition through with your doctor or specialist to help you understand both the realistic future and your worst-case scenario. This way, you can prepare your home in advance to best suit your needs.
Top Accessibility Upgrades to Consider for Your Home
Add a Lift
Stairs end up becoming a huge problem for many people, leading them to sell their home, but it doesn’t have to be this way. You can install a stair lift or wheelchair lift into your existing stairwell, add a custom residential lift that offers the full comfort and convenience of an elevator, or even add a small dumbwaiter if your issue isn’t mobility but your ability to handle weight.
Change Your Bathroom to a Wet Room
One of the best ways to prepare for your future is to adapt your bathroom to a wet room. Wet rooms have a drain in the center and are popular as they allow for step-free access into the shower. They are also far easier to clean due to their lack of nooks and crannies. The best part, however, is that they can be done beautifully, allowing you to enjoy the walk-in, luxury experience that fits your needs without the bulky or even ugly adaptive devices.
Install a Smart Home System
Consider installing a smart home system. Once installed, it can be just what you need to make your home work for you, no matter your condition. To create it, you’ll need to invest in a variety of smart devices, from light bulbs to your thermostat. Once you’ve got them installed, however, you’ll be able to control so much from your phone or tablet, making it easy to adjust your home’s conditions even if mobility is an issue.
Invest in Adaptive Storage
Digging out drawers, pulling out heavy pots and pans, and just dealing with poorly designed storage are for the past. Invest now in smart storage inserts or adaptive drawers that pull out towards you to minimize strain and make it easier than ever to find what you are looking for.
