Accessibility in a home is essential when you want increased independence and reduced physical strain in your day-to-day life. That said, for any household, an accessible home can be beneficial. It may require large renovations at times, but an accessible home is often a small remodelling project that increases your home’s market value.
Here is how to improve accessibility in your home.
Lower Closet Rods:
Lower closet rods by a few inches to make hanging clothes easier. This will also make it easier to store and retrieve clothes.
Install a Walk-In Tub:
Investing in a walk in tub for seniors makes bathing more comfortable and easier. Even with limited mobility, a person can avoid falls or slips with a walk-in tub optimized and personalized to their liking.
Widen Doorways and Hallways:
Widen doorways and hallways to ensure people with mobility aids can pass through. Make it easy for individuals with mobility impairments to get through your home.
Add Railings and Grab Bars:
Provide additional support in hallways, the washroom, the kitchen, next to the bed, and elsewhere. They can be grabbed to reduce the likelihood of slips and falls. They provide stability whenever you need it.
Level Floors:
Ensure no abrupt flooring height transitions, as people with mobility aids may suffer. Level floors to reduce thresholds between rooms or use gently sloped transitions.
Use Visual and Tactile Cues:
Contrasting or clashing colour and material choices can improve accessibility in the home for visual impairments. For example, darker colours for doorways and lighter colours for walls may be used. Colour coding can also distinguish zones in a home or open-concept space.
Install a Ramp:
A custom-built wheelchair ramp or portable ramp can be made to fit your space. This is one of the first steps to making a home wheelchair accessible.
Use Non-Slip Mats:
Non-slip mats can be used in the shower or bath, bathroom or kitchen, or anywhere there’s a slip-and-fall risk. Swap conventional mats for mats that grip the floor and won’t move.
Remove Rugs:
Rugs can trip up a person with a disability and cause issues for someone in a wheelchair or using a walker. If you must have a rug, ensure it is a low-pile rug that can be attached to the subfloor and reduce interference with a wheelchair.
Lever Handles:
Traditional doorknobs may be challenging for individuals with limited hand strength and agility. Instead, replace your doorknobs with lever-style handles, aka French door handles.
Adjustable Designs:
Integrate adjustable designs into your home, such as modifying countertop heights and cabinets, installing pull-down or pull-out shelving, lowering sinks, having adjustable seating, a height-configurable bed, and more. Guide your home’s accessibility by what’s most ergonomic for you.
Non-Slip Flooring:
Ideally, look for non-slip flooring, such as vinyl or laminate, to increase accessibility and reduce fall risk.
Smart Home Tech:
Integrate smart home tech into your home, including voice activation hubs and automated home systems. Automating your house to perform on a schedule can reduce physical demands on yourself. This includes raising and lowering blinds, adjusting lighting and temperature, and more.
Install an Automatic Door Opener:
To have doors automatically open and close, use a push button, touchless keypad, or motion-operated opener. These can be interior or exterior doors.
Arrange an Accessible Kitchen:
The kitchen is often the least accessible room in a house. Built-in appliances are difficult to reach, countertops are high, and navigation can be difficult if you are in a wheelchair or have a mobility aid. Consider how to alter your kitchen to accommodate your accessibility needs. It often involves very simple adjustments or small renovations that optimize the design.
Improve Lighting:
Lighting makes your home safer. All areas should be well-lit to minimize trips and falls. Install task lighting in high-traffic areas and personalize lighting where you need it. Consider voice-activated lighting, motion sensor lights, or touch-activated lamps.
Install a Toilet Riser:
A toilet that sits too low on the ground can be risky. A toilet riser raises your toilet and is a simple installation, making it easier for older adults to sit down and get back up.
Smart Assistant:
A smart assistant can reduce cognitive load. It can record and remind a person of daily routines and tasks. It can also be set to remind a person of medications to take or general reminders of other tasks.
Rearrange Furniture:
Arrange furniture with at least a five-foot turning radius for mobility aids. Plan a two-foot path between furniture to facilitate navigation.
Disclaimer:
CBD:
Qrius does not provide medical advice.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) outlaws the recreational use of cannabis products in India. CBD oil, manufactured under a license issued by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, can be legally used in India for medicinal purposes only with a prescription, subject to specific conditions. Kindly refer to the legalities here.
The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Gambling:
As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, prohibit gambling. Land-based casinos are legalized in Goa and Daman under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. In Sikkim, land-based casinos, online gambling, and e-gaming (games of chance) are legalized under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009. Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries, subject to state laws. Refer to the legalities here. Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in licensed premises in select states. Refer to the 1996 Supreme Court judgment for more information.
This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or its staff.
