You may want to make your house more handicap-friendly, not because anyone lives there who is disabled, but because you wish to accommodate a friend or relative who visits from time to time. It is possible to make your home user friendly to those who are handicapped without having to do a lot of renovation or retro-fitting your home.
One of the first things to do is to remove all throw rugs and some area rugs is necessary. Floor coverings can pose a real threat to trips and falls, so they should be removed when a disabled visitor is in the home. Also, some areas of flooring may be uneven, such as where different flooring types meet at joints. You can simply place a thin, tacky mat that will temporarily adhere to that part of the floor. This will allow for safer transitions throughout the house.
Secondly, it's important to make a clutter-free house that doesn't pose a danger to bumping into things. Remove all small home decor items such as plant stands, end tables and other pieces that may be too close to the transit areas in the halls, doorways and living spaces. This makes it possible for a disabled person to move about freely whether he is on crutches or a scooter.
The bathroom area is another place that is very concerning to many disabled people, because it can be a very dangerous place. Be sure to remove any rugs off the floor and if the floor can become easily slippery, you can place a large rubber mat on the floor to provide a non-slip surface. Be sure to also remove any items such as racks or stands that can prohibit free movement. You can add an extender for the toilet which makes it much easier to sit on, or you can add a portable toilet which can be placed over the top of the existing toilet. These generally provide grab rails and are much safer to use.
A problem area for many disabled persons, is the shower area of a bathroom. Many people can not simply stand to take a traditional shower, but do need some sort of assistance through handicapped aids. You can add a shower chair that is designed for the handicapped. These usually have a back and arms for easy maneuverability. They can be folded and stored away after use. Depending on the type of disability that you wish to accommodate, it is not necessarily difficult to make your home friendly for your disabled friend or relative. Just use a little common sense and show how much you care by going the extra mile.
One of the first things to do is to remove all throw rugs and some area rugs is necessary. Floor coverings can pose a real threat to trips and falls, so they should be removed when a disabled visitor is in the home. Also, some areas of flooring may be uneven, such as where different flooring types meet at joints. You can simply place a thin, tacky mat that will temporarily adhere to that part of the floor. This will allow for safer transitions throughout the house.
Secondly, it's important to make a clutter-free house that doesn't pose a danger to bumping into things. Remove all small home decor items such as plant stands, end tables and other pieces that may be too close to the transit areas in the halls, doorways and living spaces. This makes it possible for a disabled person to move about freely whether he is on crutches or a scooter.
The bathroom area is another place that is very concerning to many disabled people, because it can be a very dangerous place. Be sure to remove any rugs off the floor and if the floor can become easily slippery, you can place a large rubber mat on the floor to provide a non-slip surface. Be sure to also remove any items such as racks or stands that can prohibit free movement. You can add an extender for the toilet which makes it much easier to sit on, or you can add a portable toilet which can be placed over the top of the existing toilet. These generally provide grab rails and are much safer to use.
A problem area for many disabled persons, is the shower area of a bathroom. Many people can not simply stand to take a traditional shower, but do need some sort of assistance through handicapped aids. You can add a shower chair that is designed for the handicapped. These usually have a back and arms for easy maneuverability. They can be folded and stored away after use. Depending on the type of disability that you wish to accommodate, it is not necessarily difficult to make your home friendly for your disabled friend or relative. Just use a little common sense and show how much you care by going the extra mile.
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Remember to visit http://www.disabledbathrooms.org/ to learn more about ADA bathroom requirements for a safe, comfortable handicapped bathroom.