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Accessible Rooms for Disabled & Elderly People
Creating a safe and inclusive space for all your friends, family, and visitors doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With proper guidance, plans, and skills, you can create accessible rooms for any and all disabilities or struggles.
Whether you need to make accessible rooms for a disabled family member or home modifications to an elderly loved one’s home to make aging-in-place easier, making a home more convenient and comfortable will go a long way toward everyone’s peace of mind.
Some of the renovations necessary for an accessible room may be able to be done by the homeowner, whereas some will require the help of a professional. In this article, we’ll discuss the steps you need to take when adapting your home for disability or mobility reasons.
Hearing-Accessible Room
To make a hearing-accessible room, you’ll want to rely on other senses, such as sight. Visual alarms or flashing lights can replace doorbells, alarms, or even timers.
Installing a flashing light instead of a doorbell will help to alert those with hearing challenges that someone is at their door. Oftentimes, these types of doorbells can be installed similarly to traditional ones, flashing a light instead of making a noise when someone presses a button.
You don’t have to stop at the doorbell. Flashing lights or other visual alarms can also alert someone who is hard of hearing to a phone call or a potential emergency, such as a fire or home invasion.
Other smaller changes to help make a hearing-accessible room include hanging up diagrams of your space and investing in noise-canceling curtains and sound-absorbing materials to help minimize background noise.
Mobility-Accessible Room
The first step to creating a mobility-accessible room is to clear the clutter and create enough space for someone to move around freely. Part of this includes creating space for wheelchairs, canes, walkers, or other mobility aides. Widening door frames and removing unnecessary obstacles, such as half-walls or large furniture, can also go a long way in ensuring the room is more wheelchair-accessible.
Lowering light switches and countertops will also help those with mobility issues. When commonly used items are placed within reach, it eliminates the need to stretch or extend to reach them, stopping potentially dangerous slips or falls.
Another switch to make in a mobility-accessible room is to change the doorknobs from traditional circular knobs to lever-style ones. These types of knobs are easier to operate and require less hand strength than other traditional-style knobs.
Bathroom Adaption
Bathrooms are often the most commonly used rooms in the house. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the most dangerous. Due to the increased moisture and slippery surfaces such as ceramic or tiled floors, bathrooms are notorious for hazardous slips and falls.
To make it a more accessible room, consider installing handrails near the toilet or bathtub, changing from a traditional bathtub to a walk-in shower, and installing non-slip flooring. Even if you don’t have the budget to replace your flooring, you can also install grips or traction pads to the floor to make it less slippery.
Lowering countertops or building shelving will allow you to put commonly used items within arm's reach. When things are within reach, it lessens the need to extend and stretch, lowering the probability of unnecessary slips and falls.
Adaptation for Slight Disability
Sometimes, it doesn’t require as much work when adapting your home for disability reasons. Some slight adaptations include:
- Improving lighting
- Installing non-slip flooring
- Obtaining ergonomic accommodations such as wrist and footrests
- Purchasing adjustable furniture
- Installing accessibility ramps over steps or uneven surfaces
Mr. Handyman Thinks of You & Your Comfort
When it comes to home adaptations for disabled or aging family members, Mr. Handyman® has you covered! Our trained service professionals have the skills, tools, expertise, and knowledge to take your home from dangerous to safe and comfortable.
To start making more accessible rooms in your home, give your local Mr. Handyman team a call. We can discuss all of your needs and come up with a plan that works for your home!
FAQ on Adapting Your Home for Disabilities and Aging in Place
Adapting your home for disabilities or aging can drum up some questions. Here are the most frequently asked questions about home adaptations for disabled or older adults. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have a question not listed below.
1. How long will it take to make an accessible room?
It depends! Depending on the size and scope of your project and the space of your home, finalizing your accessible room projects could take a few hours to a few weeks. For the best estimate, discuss your project in detail with your local Mr. Handyman professional.
2. Is it hard to make accessible rooms?
Nope! With proper knowledge, skills, and tools, making your home more accessible and comfortable for residents and guests doesn’t have to be confusing.
3. How can I make my parents’ home more comfortable so they can age in place?
Making your parents’ home more convenient, comfortable, and accessible might be easier than you think. The most important thing is to take their specific needs into account. For more information, call your local Mr. Handyman to discuss your specific situation. We can make recommendations based on your needs and space.
4. How expensive is it to make an accessible room?
Like any home renovation project, the expense will depend on your specific project, materials, and timeline. When scheduling your appointment with your local Mr. Handyman team, mention any time constraints or concerns, as this will help prepare the team to move forward in a way that works for everyone involved.
