How To Stylishly Adapt A Home For A Disabled Person

It's no secret that the number of people living with disabilities is on the rise. In fact, according to recent studies, one in five Americans will experience a disability in their lifetime. This means that more and more homeowners will need to adapt their homes to accommodate disabled family members or friends. While many people think of home modifications as ugly and utilitarian, it doesn't have to be that way! In this blog post, we will discuss some stylish ways to adapt your home for a disabled person.

Adapting a home for a disabled person - Everything you should know

Disabilities are often associated with a loss of independence. However, with the proper home modifications, many people with disabilities can live relatively normal lives. Home modifications can range from small changes, like installing grab bars in the bathroom, to more significant renovations, like widening doorways and hallways. On this page, https://www.stiltzlifts.co.nz/stiltz-trio-home-lift/, for instance, we can see how a home can be adapted to make it more accessible. No matter what type of modification you are considering, it is important to always consult with a professional to ensure that the changes are made safely and correctly.

Widen doorways and hallways

If you have a family member or friend who uses a wheelchair, one of the first things you'll need to do is widen doorways and hallways. This will allow them to move around more easily and avoid any potential accidents. You can either hire a professional contractor to do this for you or, if you're handy, do it yourself. Just be sure to get the proper permits from your local building department before starting any work. Moreover, because you are changing the structure of your home, you will also need to obtain approval from your homeowner's insurance company. All in all, widening doorways and hallways is a relatively simple and straightforward way to adapt your home for a disabled person. Such a process is essential for them to be able to move around the house with ease.

Install grab bars

Another small but important modification you can make is to install grab bars in key areas of the home, like the bathroom and kitchen. Grab bars provide extra support and stability for people who have difficulty standing or walking. They can be installed near the toilet, shower, and sink to help prevent falls. Grab bars come in a variety of styles and finishes, so you can easily find ones that match your home's décor. In addition, many grab bars are now designed to be both attractive and functional. They are also easy to install and can be done without the help of a professional. Even if you only install a few grab bars, they can make a big difference in the safety of your home.

Add ramps or lifts

If your home has stairs, you'll need to add ramps or lifts to make it accessible for a wheelchair user. Ramps can be made of wood, concrete, or metal and can be either permanent or portable. Lifts, on the other hand, are usually installed by a professional and can be quite expensive. If you're on a tight budget, you may want to consider renting or borrowing a lift instead of buying one outright. No matter which option you choose, be sure to have the ramps or lifts professionally installed to avoid any accidents.

Make sure everything is within reach

Things like shelves, light switches, and doorknobs should be placed within reach of someone in a wheelchair. This may require some rearranging of your furniture or installing new shelves at a lower height. You may also need to install lever-style handles instead of doorknobs. If the person is blind, you should know the do’s and don’ts of adapting the home properly. You'll need to make sure that they can easily find their way around the house. This may include adding Braille labels to doors and cabinets or installing sound-emitting devices to help them navigate.

Adapting the rooms in the home

Depending on the needs of the disabled person, you may also need to make some modifications to specific rooms in your home. For example, if they have difficulty getting in and out of bed, you may need to install a hospital-style bed with rails. On the other hand, if the person is in a wheelchair, you would want to level out the entrance to the room so that they can easily get in and out. The same goes for installing a leveled shower so the person can easily enter or leave it. Essentially, you want to minimize any obstacles or hazards that could potentially cause an accident or prevent the disabled person from moving properly around the rooms of the house.

Think of bringing all the essential rooms to the bottom level of the house

If you have a bathroom that is upstairs, for instance, you might want to think about bringing all the essential rooms downstairs. This way, the person in a wheelchair can easily access them without having to go up and down the stairs. If this is not possible, you can also install a stairlift or an elevator to make it easier for them to move between floors. This part of the remodel will require a lot of work, but it will be worth it in the end. More importantly, this might be one of the toughest challenges you will have to face in adapting the home for a disabled person.

Install an intercom system

If you have a multi-level home, you may want to install an intercom system so that the person can easily communicate with someone downstairs. This is especially important if they need help in case of an emergency. An intercom system can also be used to let the person know when someone is coming so that they can be prepared. There are many uses for an intercom system, so it's definitely worth considering if you have a multi-level home. Additionally, you would want to create easy access to doorbells and door locks so the person can let people in without having to struggle.

Install motion sensor lights throughout the house

This will help the person see better at night and will also deter burglars. Additionally, you should make sure that all of the light switches are within easy reach so the person can easily turn them on and off. You may also want to install a timer on some of the lights so that they automatically turn on and off at certain times. This will help save energy and will also make it easier for the person to keep track of the time.

Install emergency lights in case of a power outage

Emergency lights are a must in any home, but they are especially important in a home that has been adapted for a disabled person. This is because the person may not be able to see well in the dark and could easily trip over something. Emergency lights will help to prevent this from happening and will also give the person a sense of security. On the other hand, if such a thing does occur, this will give the person time to find a safe place to wait it out, contact someone, or find their way out of the house.

Finally, think about the exterior of the house

You should also make sure that the exterior of the house is safe and accessible for the disabled person. This includes making sure that there are no obstacles in the way, such as stairs, and that all of the doors and windows can be easily opened. You may also want to install a ramp so that the person can easily get in and out of the house. Additionally, you should make sure that the landscaping is safe and that there are no hazards that could potentially cause an accident. However, this does not mean you should sacrifice style for safety.

Modifying a home does not have to come with a large bill

There are many ways to modify a home without spending a lot of money. For instance, you can use paint to brighten up a room or add color-coded tape to help the person navigate around the house. You can also find creative ways to store things so that they are within easy reach. Ultimately, the goal is to make the home safe and functional for the disabled person without sacrificing style or comfort. With a little bit of creativity, you can easily achieve this.

Think about aesthetics

Just because you are making changes to the house to make it more accessible for a disabled person, does not mean that you have to sacrifice style. There are many ways to make the house look good while still being functional. One example would be the design style of minimalism. On the other hand, you can use different materials or colors to create contrast and make it easier for the person to see. You can also use furniture to create a more stylish and inviting space. Ultimately, you want the person to feel comfortable in their home and not like they are living in a hospital. Sometimes, even small changes can make a big difference.

You don't have to do it all at once

Making changes to a home can be overwhelming, especially if you are doing it all at once. However, you don't have to do everything at once. You can start with the most important changes and then work your way down the list. Additionally, you can make small changes over time. For instance, you could start by painting one room and then move on to another room when you have the time. Ultimately, the goal is to make the house safe and accessible for the disabled person, but you don't have to do it all at once.

Start with the basics

When you are first starting out, it is important to focus on the basics. This means making sure that the person can easily get in and out of the house and that all of the doors and windows are easy to open. You should also make sure that there are no obstacles in the way, such as stairs, and that all of the rooms are well-lit. Once you have the basics down, you can start to focus on more creative ways to make the house more accessible.

Making a home accessible for a disabled person does not have to be difficult. There are many ways to make changes that will not only improve the function of the house but also its style. By starting with the basics and then making small changes over time, you can easily create a safe and inviting space for the disabled person. Ultimately, the goal is to make the house safe and functional for the disabled person without sacrificing style or comfort. With a little bit of creativity, you can easily achieve this.