How to Make Your Home Accessible – 5 Easy Projects

Transitioning into a life of limited mobility is never easy. The activities your loved one used to enjoy may now cause discomfort, and home may no longer be the safest, easiest place for them. In most cases, experiencing limited mobility is made easier by handicapping or making small changes to a person’s home. The more comfortable an elderly or disabled parent feels in their house, the happier they will be. 

Importantly, people with aging parents and friends should understand changing needs and pains. Once you know what your parent is struggling with, you can better adjust their situation. From ramps and stair lifts to handrails and medical alert systems, there are countless strategies for making homes more comfortable and accessible for their elderly residents.

As people age, their lower bodies begin to weaken. This is the primary cause of falls, but it can also affect a person’s ability to walk, sit up, or climb stairs. Grab rails are an easy and inexpensive way to make a home more accessible. Placing these devices in areas near chairs, in bathrooms, and near doors can provide much-needed support and peace of mind. 

Elderly people in wheelchairs won’t be able to use the stairs in their homes, which can further limit mobility and independence. Even single stairs, or those only a few inches high, can be a huge barrier to wheelchair-bound residents. There are several ramp options out there designed to fit individual needs – from collapsible and portable ramps to threshold and outdoor ramps. Talk with your elderly friend about their specific needs. 

Limited mobility comes with an increased risk of falling, which can be very dangerous for an elderly parent. Investing in a medical alert system can provide both emergency support and comfort. The medical alert systems from Alert1 can also come equipped with fall detection, which is important in homes designed for increased accessibility. These devices will automatically detect when your loved one falls, contacting an emergency dispatch without your elderly friend needing to press a button. Folks can choose a medical alert system with wearables, on-the-go protection, and a home base, or a combination of the three, to protect themselves from accidents. 

If your senior lives in a two-story home, they may have trouble moving up and down the stairs. A stair lift will significantly increase a person’s mobility inside the home, creating a safer, more accessible environment. Lifts come in a variety of styles and can be adapted to suit your needs. Some are portable, while others can serve as a permanent home modification. 

The layout of a person’s home plays a large role in the way they move around the space. Is there enough space between couches to fit a wheelchair? Are there sharp turns around chairs that your older friend might have trouble navigating? Importantly, are necessary items within reach on lower-level shelves? Moving furniture around to better suit your senior’s needs is a great, expense-free way to improve their home.