Find Handicapped Fixtures and Accessories (here)

Whether you have a family member or a close friend who is handicapped, you need to make sure your home is handicapped accessible. Stairs and small hallways are impossible for those who need wheelchairs to move around, but there are a few easy changes you can make or a few features you can look for in order to make sure it is wheelchair friendly.

Safety is the most important feature of any home, but additional measures need to be taken into consideration if one your family members uses a wheelchair. Their bedroom needs to be on the ground floor and needs to have an easy exit. In most cases, this means that there is a door to the outdoors in the room so if there is a fire, this individual can escape quickly. Along the same lines, every room needs to have a large enough space for a wheelchair to rotate 360 degrees, which is approximately 5 feet in diameter. Doorways need to be at least 36 inches wide and hallways need to be anywhere from four and a half to five feet wide. Ideally, your home will have a minimal number of hallways. These precautions make it much easier for handicapped individuals to move from room to room.

The bathroom is the room that needs the most attention. Elderly or handicapped individuals often need the most help in the bathroom but it is very embarrassing to need assistance in this room. Therefore, you should design the bathroom so that these individuals can be as independent as possible. One of the best investments is a walk in bathtub. These tubs are designed in order to make bathing a safer and easier experience for those who have limited mobility. The convenient door opens up so you do not have to swing your legs up and over and the seat inside means you do not need to lower yourself to the bottom of the tub. Grip bars are an extra safety feature and should be installed around the entire bathroom.

Lower tables and keeping important or handy items at a convenient height is also an important consideration. It is not difficult to find a home that is already handicapped friendly or could easily be remodeled to be so. Remember that safety is the most important consideration so this factor needs to be top priority! With accessible emergency exits and a walk in bathtub, you are making the right choices!

Author: Jane Worthington

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