There are many reasons that you might need to make your home more accessible – from a physical disability to lowered mobility due to old age or even just making it easier for children and pets to get around.
If you’ve never looked into mobility solutions for your home before, you potentially don’t know where to start, so in this post, we’ll share with you 5 ways to upgrade your home’s accessibility.
Install a Ramp
For those who require a wheelchair, adding a ramp outside to allow access to your home will make a huge difference. Ramps can either be put in place where stairs used to be or can simply be added instead of them.
Depending on the layout of your home and if you share any land with your neighbours, you may need permission before installing a ramp, but in most cases, these are easy to have installed where a more accessible entrance is needed.
Add a Stairlift
Stairs are not practical for people with a disability that affects their mobility, and they’re also not particularly safe for elderly people or anyone who struggles with their balance, so a stairlift can offer a safe alternative to using stairs.
To have a stairlift installed in your home, you should always seek the advice of a professional and reputable company that is experienced in providing these since they can be dangerous if not installed correctly.
The good thing is that once your stairlift is professionally installed, they’re generally easy to maintain yourself, and the company that installs them will be happy to provide you with their top tips and advice for keeping your stairlift in good condition and safe for use.
They’ll also be able to tell you the signs to look out for to determine if your stairlift is in need of repairs.
Upgrade to Smart Technology
Smart technology systems for the home have become more popular and more advanced over the last few years.
From Alexa being able to order shopping, turn up the heating, and play your favourite songs to Ring doorbells and voice-activated locks that can be opened with nothing more than a command from you, these tools are a great solution for those looking to make a home more accessible.
Ring doorbells with a camera or video functions are great from a safety and security point of view, but are also extremely practical and helpful for those who might otherwise struggle with the height of a manual buzzer system, or with tougher locks.
Consider the Height of Your Units
If you have a lot of cupboards or built-in storage areas in your home that are quite high, then it’s a good idea to consider looking at ways to reduce the height of these if you plan on making your home more accessible.
High kitchen units are impractical for anyone in a wheelchair or who struggles with mobility but are also quite unsafe.
Lowering your kitchen units doesn’t need to be a huge job or involve installing a brand new kitchen, but it’s also worth speaking to a professional builder who will be able to advise you on the best way to proceed with this and arrange the movement of the units to a more accessible height.
Put in a Wetroom
A wetroom or walk-in shower and even accessible baths are great ways to make your home more accessible. As well as being much safer to use for someone with disabilities or lowered mobility, they’re a lot more practical and easier to manage than traditional over-bath showers that can be quite difficult to get in and out of, as well as keep clean for someone with disabilities.
We hope that this post has been helpful if you’re looking for ideas and tips, and advice when it comes to making your home more accessible. Whatever the reason for needing more accessibility within your home, there are many great companies out there that can help give you advice when it comes to what’s best for your needs, as well as the layout of your home, so that you can find a solution that’s right for you and your family without having to endure the upheaval of moving house unnecessarily.
