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INDEPENDENT LIVING MODIFICATIONS

Few things represent independence as much as living in and maintaining your own home. Owning or renting a house indicates that you are capable of taking care of yourself and free to live your life as you please — but this isn't the case for every homeowner or renter living in a house. People with disabilities or who are elderly might not feel autonomy, or even comfort, in their homes, as many houses in the United States are not designed to be accessible or accommodating.

In fact, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Accessibility of America's Housing Stock: Analysis of the 2011 American Housing Survey, less than 5% of U.S. housing is accessible for individuals with moderate mobility difficulties, and less than one percent is accessible for people who use wheelchairs. The report also notes, though, that about one-third of housing in the United States is “potentially modifiable” to be more accessible to people with disabilities. Modifying a home to make it accommodating is a matter of the utmost importance for people who are elderly or have a disability, as it makes a house more comfortable and less dangerous to live in.

However, modifying or remodeling a home isn't always easy. The process can get more complicated when you're making a house more accessible, rather than simply making aesthetic changes. Below are some guidelines to help explain some of the more common home improvements and modifications made by individuals with disabilities and older adults desiring to live independently.

Common Home Modifications, Additions, and Remodels for Disabled or Elderly Homeowners

There isn't a single, universal way to modify a home to make it more accommodating to an older adult or someone with a disability. Depending on your home, a simple modification may do the trick, but in other cases, a full remodel may be needed. Modifications should be based around your disability and what you need in a home to make it accessible, comfortable, and safe. Even if you have the same disability as another person, you may not need the same accommodations as that individual. However, there are a few common alterations in key spaces that many people use to make their homes more accessible:

Bathroom

Bathrooms frequently need updates to be less dangerous to seniors or people with mobility limitations. Between smooth surfaces and water from sinks and showers, it's all too easy to slip and fall in a bathroom. Further, bathrooms are essential to daily life, and you must be able to use yours without difficulty or fear of injury. Common bathroom modifications include:

Grab bars: Grab bars installed next to bathroom fixtures, such as toilets and showers, offer additional support. You can use them to steady yourself, pull yourself up, ease yourself down, or take a step. A grab bar that has some texture is easier to grip and offer additional support.
Open floor space: Extra floor space provides more room to move around with mobility aids, such as a wheelchair or cane. This is especially important around toilets, bathtubs, showers, and other fixtures.
Sinks and countertops: Depending on your disability, it may be difficult to use sinks and countertops that are too high up or too low to the ground. Wheelchair users, for instance, may prefer to have lower sinks and countertops so they can roll their chair over to the sink instead of having to reach to use it. Whether you need higher or lower countertops, you can modify them so they are easier for you to access.
Sit-down bathtub: Bathtubs can be difficult to get in and out of. A sit-down bathtub, with a vacuum-sealed door that opens from the side, allows you to either walk or roll your wheelchair directly over to the tub and simplifies the process of getting in and out.
Taller toilets: Standard toilets may be too low to the ground for you to use safely. A taller toilet, however, can be easier to use, especially if you have a mobility disability.
Walk-in shower: Similar to a sit-down bathtub, a walk-in shower without a curb greatly reduces the chance of slipping and falling while getting in or out. Furthermore, they are wheelchair accessible.

Bedroom

Bedrooms are another room in the house that often need some adjustments or modifications to be used safely when you have a disability. Many of the ways you can make your bedroom more accessible depend on your furniture and how you arrange it. For instance, your bed should be at a height that's easy to get in and out of and there should be enough space so you can maneuver around it with a mobility aid if needed. Some larger bedroom modifications include:

Ceiling lifts: If you need help getting in and out of bed, installing a ceiling lift can help simplify that process. This may involve a lengthy installation process, as they must be attached to a track system. A portable floor lift is a great option if you cannot install a ceiling lift, as are handrails, floor to ceiling poles, or grab bars.
Closet doors: Closets can be difficult to access if the door doesn't slide open easily. Barn doors are the preferred choice if you have trouble dealing with handles or knobs, and wide or double doors of any type are better if you need to use a wheelchair or mobility aid.
Flooring: You must install the right type of flooring in your bedroom so it is easy to get around and comfortable to walk on. Thick, plush carpet can trip up wheelchairs and mobility aids, and people with sensory disabilities may find it unpleasant or overstimulating. Thin carpet, vinyl, or even rubber flooring may be better alternatives.
Hidden cords: Cords make it all too easy to trip and fall, especially if you have a visual- or mobility-related disability. Be sure to tuck cords, cables, and wires behind your furniture, or mount them to your baseboards, so your path is free and they are out of the way.
Wall colors: Having the right wall color is crucial for people with sensory or visual disabilities. Bold and bright colors might be overstimulating, or painful or confusing to look at. Choose a color for your bedroom walls that calms you or contrasts with your furniture so you can improve visibility.

Front/Back Yards

You likely will spend less time in your yard than in your bathrooms and bedrooms, but it's still important that you're able to get around or navigate through your front, back, and side yards safely. Keep in mind that even if you do modify your yards, the weather and seasons can still make conditions difficult or unsafe for you. Fog, rain, snow, smoke, and wind can all present hazards outdoors. Always be aware of extreme weather conditions so you can plan accordingly or ask someone for assistance if you need it.

Level ground: Hilly or uneven ground can pose a hazard. If you're unsteady on your feet or have a mobility disability, it's important to have level ground underfoot so you don't trip or fall, or you can get around with your mobility aid.
Paths: Similarly, bumpy or rocky ground can make your yard hard to navigate. Smooth, clear, wide, and firm paths, free of plants or debris, make it much easier to get around either in a wheelchair or on foot.
Ramps: Steps and curbs are difficult for some people, and impossible for others to use. Ramps leading up to your doorway makes entering your home much more accessible. You should also install rails or a curb onto the ramp so you don't accidentally fall or slide off.
Wide doorways: If you use a wheelchair or other mobility aid, your doorways must be wider so you can enter your home with ease. You may also need to widen doorways inside your house if they are not already up to standard.

Kitchen

Kitchens are another room in your home that need to be accessible and safe for you to use in your daily life. Much like bathrooms, they have slippery surfaces that often get wet, but kitchens are also full of potentially dangerous tools. This, combined with how frequently it needs to be used, makes your kitchen one of the most important rooms in your home to modify so it is accessible for you. Common kitchen accommodations include:

Accessible cabinets: Easy, accessible cabinets for your kitchen are crucial to making this room more accommodating. They must be at the right height for you to use them, and assembly-ready cabinets are a great option if you want to be able to adjust them for easy use.
Appliances: Your kitchen is full of large and small appliances, and though small appliances are fairly easy to modify or replace, larger ones can be more difficult to update if they aren't already designed with accessibility in mind. Ultimately, you may have to replace appliances like dishwashers, stoves, and ovens with others that are more accommodating.
Hose faucets: Hose faucets on your sink can make it much easier to wash things without having to move or contort your body. Similarly, a single lever or touch-sensitive faucet is a good choice if you have difficulties turning a knob or grasping things in your hand.
Lower countertops: Standard countertops may be too high or too low for you to use comfortably or effectively, so you may need to update them to better suit your needs. Although they can be costly, you may even want to consider investing in an adjustable countertop.

Living Room

When it comes to the living room, you'll want to make a lot of the same considerations as you would for a bedroom. For instance, many people like to have softer flooring like carpet in living rooms and bedrooms, but if it's too thick, it could impede individuals with mobility based disabilities. Be sure to carefully consider what type of flooring and furniture you use in the living room, just as you would a bedroom. Other modifications you may want to consider in a living room include:

Lights: If you have a visual or mobility related disability, you'll want to make sure you can control the lights in the living room without extraneous effort. Simple wall switches, a dimmer switch, or clapper lights can all make it easier to change the lighting of the living room.
Open space: You will need plenty of space to move around your living room, so be sure to place your furniture in a way that allows you to freely use your mobility aid. Further, if you use a wheelchair, you may want to leave an open space where you can pull up to watch TV or chat with family members, roommates, or guests.
Power sockets: Sockets are a necessity for charging devices, so make sure they are in a place that you can reach without trouble. Depending on your needs, you may want to place them higher up on the wall so you don't have to strain yourself to plug something in.

Keep in mind that these are just a few of the many ways you can modify your house to be more accessible. Depending on what your disability is and what you need to live in your home comfortably, you may need to make all, some, or none of these modifications. You may have to make different modifications that are completely unique to your needs. Always do what you need to make your home safe, comfortable, and liveable. Give us a call, we'll help you through the process.