Home modifications help to enhance a person’s quality of life
Today’s discussion is home modifications. When you own an accessible home, it makes living safer and more comfortable for you and your loved ones, no matter age or stage in life. If you’ve read any of our blogs or you’ve researched home elevators, stairlifts, or wheelchair lifts, then you know that these modifications add value to a home and enhance a person’s quality of life. Here is a guide on home modifications as it pertains to anyone living with a disability.
How Do I Know Which Home Modifications Will Suit My Needs?
There is so much that a person can do to modify their home. They can add a stairlift or wheelchair lift or do something as simple as changing their house lighting to enhance visibility and prevent falls. Here are some useful questions that you can ask yourself to determine which modifications will be best for you:
- Is the exterior of my home well-lit and hazard-free?
- Is there a way for me to reach the upstairs of my home safely and comfortably?
- Are my staircases well-lit with the proper railing?
- Is my cabinetry accessible?
- Do I have nonslip flooring, and are my rugs secured to the floor vs. having area rugs?
Considerations for Your Home’s Exterior
Our wheelchair lifts have outdoor applications to ensure that anyone living with limited mobility or disability can safely enter and exit their home. There are other ways to modify the exterior of your home, such as investing in motion-sensor lights and ensuring that there are textured, nonslip pathways surrounding your home, especially if you live on an incline. It’s also helpful to address any cracks on your property to prevent falls.
Bathroom Considerations
The CDC reported that each year around 235,000 people aged 15 and up had to visit the emergency room because of a bathroom-related injury. The bathroom is arguably the most slippery place in the home for anyone. However, slippery surfaces cause specific challenges to anyone living with a disability or the older demographic in general. As we age, it’s much harder to recover from falls. Our bones don’t heal as fast. Your bathroom should be an oasis versus a safety hazard. Here are some considerations:
- Invest in an elevated toilet seat
- Ensure that your shower has an adequately-sized seat
- Eliminate the requirement to step over a ledge if possible
- Use nonslip shower mats and pads
The main takeaway that is important from this information is that every homeowner should have a home that allows them to move around comfortably without facing potential hazards. If navigating throughout your home comfortably and safely has been progressively harder, contact Preferred Elevator today.
Preferred Elevator: We’re On the Up and Up!
For over a decade, Preferred Elevator has served residents in Central Maryland, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. You can rely on our experienced home installation team and quality products.
For our commercial elevator clients, we also provide annual inspections of your equipment to adhere to standards established by the state of Maryland. During these inspections, we make sure that your commercial mobility product is functioning correctly and efficiently. We’ll also go over all safety devices and customized features offered within your plan!
Get in touch with us! Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8 am -5 pm. Reach us by phone at 410-238-2555, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
