Reduced mobility is a natural part of aging for many people, but adapting to a mobility aid like a wheelchair can be challenging. Thankfully, there are ways to transform your house to improve your comfort and independence. Here are some tips to help you accommodate a wheelchair in your home.

How to Make Your Home More Accessible

1. Install a Ramp at the Entrance

Steps are hazards for people who have difficulty moving around, especially if they need a wheelchair. If your front door isn’t entirely at ground level and has a step or two, you’ll need a ramp to help you enter the house. If you have multiple entryways, you can use a portable ramp that collapses for easy storage and transport.

2. Install a Stair Lift

You don’t have to worry about staying on the ground floor if your home has multiple levels. You can safely reach all stories in the house by installing a stair lift.

This mobility aid helps wheelchair users maintain their independence with a push of a button. It can be installed on any type of staircase, and it comes with a remote to move the chair at any time.

Stair lifts are also available for outside use, which is beneficial for homeowners who have multiple steps leading to their front door.

3. Upgrade Your Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the trickiest rooms for people who need wheelchairs because of the lack of space as well as potential hazards like wet floors and tall-walled tubs.

Your bathroom doorway should be at least 32 inches wide to allow the chair to pass through unencumbered.

If you do not have a shower stall, consider installing a step-in tub, so you can get into it without having to raise your legs and straddle the sides.

Handrails in the shower areas and next to the toilet will help you retain your balance as you sit and stand.

The sink may need modifications to make it wheelchair-accessible. For instance, if the fixture rests on a vanity, you may need to remove the cabinetry to make room for the chair. 

If you or a loved one needs help moving around safely, count on our team at Dauterman Healthcare & Mobility in Honolulu, HI, to help you find the best product for your needs. We have served residents throughout Oahu for more than four decades. We offer competitively priced mobility aids like wheelchairs and mobility scooters as well as home medical supplies and bathroom safety products like raised toilet seats and shower chairs. Visit our website today to view our inventory, or call (808) 591-8860 with any questions.