4 Ways to Make Your Home More Accessible

 **Collaborative Post**

There are a number of ways why making your home more accessible may be something you are considering. You may have mobility issues yourself or be moving someone into your home who does such as a parent or grandparent. Or perhaps you are looking ahead to the future and want to get a head start for when you are a little older or may face issues in the future? Whatever the reasons, ensuring your home is completely accessible is an investment you will definitely reap the benefits of in the future. For some it can mean the different between being able to stay in their own home or have to move into a care facility etc. 

So, in this blog post we are looking at 4 adaptions that you could make to your own forever home to ensure it stays accessible whatever the situation in the future. 

Stair Lift or Home Lift 

We often take going up and down the stairs for granted but if you have mobility issues, accessing rooms that are upstairs can become a real issue. And if your only bathroom or bedroom area is upstairs this can cause real accessibility issues. Whilst for some there is the option to create a bedroom and bathroom area downstairs for others, they either don't have the space or don't want the fuss or a complete rejig of their home. But fear not as there are other options such as stair lifts or home lift installation that mean you can still access the upstairs level on your home regardless of circumstances. 

Whilst stair lifts are a more affordable option (and can be fitted quickly and easily), if you have the space a home lift if the ultimate in accessibility. It means that even if you lost mobility almost completely and perhaps rely on a wheelchair to get around, you can still access upstairs as wheelchairs can fit inside of them. They also reduce the risk of falling which can be associated with stair lifts for some users as they still need to manoeuvre themselves in and out of the lift. 

Bathroom Adaptions

Being able to access and freely use the bathroom is another must and something we take for granted, but a wet room is a great solution for those wanting a bathroom space that can be freely accessible. However, if you don't have the space or don't want to change your bathroom there are plenty of additions and adaptions you can add to your bathroom to ensure it is accessible. 

These include things such as handrails in areas you may need extra support such as by the toilet (getting up and down from the toilet) and near the bath/shower for ease of getting in and out. You can also get shower stools that can be placed in the shower allowing you to sit whilst you shower, perfect for those who worry about slipping or for those unable to stand for long periods of time. If a bath is more your thing there are also step in baths which feature a side door allowing you to step in and out rather than having to lift your legs over the top of the bath. 

Other things to consider in the bathroom are anti slip matting on the floor to give good underfloor grip when you may be wet and extra shelving to store your bathroom products, so you have everything you need within easy reach. There is also bathroom equipment that is specifically designed to be more accessible such as easier to use taps on sinks and toilets which are higher so there isn't such a gap to sit down too. And if you don't want to splash out initially there are places where you can higher things such as shower stools to see if there are right for you first.  

Think Space! 

Have you ever walked around your home and wondered how accessible some areas would be if you had mobility issues? Are there some tight spaces in your home, narrow gaps or narrow doorways? Big steps to get out of the house or area's that create awkward angles and gaps? If so, these could all cause issues for accessibility if your mobility is limited. 

To change this, take a good look at your home and imagine you had to navigate it in a wheelchair or with a walking aid. Can you access seating areas or dining areas without bumping into things? If not, then move them around and try to create a completely accessible loop meaning those with mobility issues can access the whole area without having to turn around. 

You can also measure up doorways and ensure these would be wide enough, if not look at adjusting them to make them wider or removing them all together to create a more open and freely moveable space. This includes the front of your home, is it easily accessible or do you have steps or a steep incline to get in? All of these are adjustments that we may not consider day to day but can make a huge change if your mobility is impaired. 

Remove Trip Hazards

Trip hazards are all around us in day-to-day life but if you suffer with mobility issues and you trip over this can be even more of an issue as you may struggle to then get back up or get help! As with above when thinking about space, try walking around your home and considering all the things they may become a trip hazard if you were using a walking aid or wheelchair. 

Even items like rugs that are too thick or aren't attached well to the floor can be a hazard and they can cause tripping or make it hard for a wheelchair to move over a space. Other hazards can include items such as cables and wires that are left trailing on the floor, low coffee style tables with sharp corners and clutter such as shoes, boxes and other items that are left on the floor. Instead of abandoning these items on the floor try to find alternative storage for them such as in cupboards or on a shoe rack. 

There are lots of adaptions you can make to your home to make it more accessible but hopefully these 4 ideas have given you some help and inspiration to get started. When it comes to your own home the most important thing to consider if the things that will help you the most and then make these a priority, these will of course be different for most people. 

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