A wheelchair or mobility scooter can make it easier to get around, stay active, and maintain your independence. Unfortunately, most homes aren’t designed with wheels in mind. To make your home more accommodating for a wheelchair or scooter, consider implementing any of these helpful suggestions.

How to Make a Home More Accommodating for Wheelchairs

1. Lower Shelving

Since chairs and scooters sit low to the ground, accessing items on high shelves can present a challenge. Lower all shelving to a level that ensures easy and safe access. A comfortable height for most wheelchair users is between 20 and 44 inches. Also, consider swapping out a closed cabinet or cupboard shelving for open-concept shelves as there isn’t a need to open the door to access the contents.

2. Remove Rugs

Wheels can easily get caught up in fabrics and fibers, whether it’s a large area rug, a hallway runner, or even a small kitchen mat. Rugs also make it harder to push and control a wheelchair or scooter. To facilitate mobility, get rid of rugs entirely.

3. Add Ramps

A ramp is an excellent way for a chair- or scooter-user to effortlessly get in and out of the home. In general, the longer you can make the ramp and the more gentle the slope, the easier it’ll be to navigate. A good benchmark is the ADA guideline for commercial ramps, which is a 1:12 slope. This means that every inch of vertical rise needs a minimum of one foot of ramp length.

4. Install Grab Bars & Lifts

Grab bars around toilets, in the shower and tub, along hallways, and near the bed can better support a chair- or scooter-user as they move between the chair and fixed objects. If the home has a lot of stairs, you may want to install a lift. This is a vertical platform that automatically raises the wheelchair or scooter from one level to another.

Our team at Dauterman Healthcare & Mobility has been providing wheelchairs and mobility scooters to customers throughout Honolulu, HI, for over 40 years. We’re a locally owned and operated business, and our staff will take the time to help you find a mobility solution that’s right for you. In addition to chair and scooter sales and rentals, we offer medical supplies, bathroom safety equipment, and assistive devices for daily living. Call (808) 591-8860 to ask about our current inventory, or visit us online to view our selection.