7 Ways to Make Your Home More Accessible

As you and your loved ones grow older, you face new struggles that you never had to consider before your old age. Walking up and down stairs has become challenging, accessing your shower with a high barrier is becoming increasingly difficult, and even getting through your doorways can be hard when using a wheelchair. But this doesn’t mean you have to move out of your home and into an assisted living facility. Numerous people in similar situations have successfully remodeled their homes to make them more accessible.

From building stairlifts to starting bathroom remodeling, Pittsburgh based company 3 Birds Accessibility Solutions is ready to guide you through 7 ways you can make your home easier to live in. Check out our comprehensive guide now!

Invest in a Full Bathroom Remodel

When it Comes to Bathroom Remodeling, Pittsburgh Experts Can Help You

Bathrooms can present a high risk for falls and injuries if they are not designed properly. For obvious reasons, a high number of slips and falls occur around the shower. As you redesign your bathroom, you need to remember to install slip-prevention flooring throughout the area. Non-skid bath mats and shower strips can help you remain safe and secure as you navigate your bathroom. 

In addition to installing slip-prevention flooring, you should also consider:

• Building a barrier-free shower
• Installing grab bars near the toilet
• Cutting out a section of your bathtub

1. Build a Barrier-Free Shower

If you are struggling with mobility issues, you should consider installing a roll-in shower or low-barrier shower. 

Unlike regular showers, a roll-in shower does not have a shower curb at its entrance. Because the shower floor and bathroom floors are level with each other, people on wheelchairs can easily roll into the shower. Once they enter, they can transfer themselves onto a shower chair.

Low-barrier showers are also great for people with mobility issues. These ADA-compliant solutions make it easy for people with handicaps to step in and out of the shower. Many of them are also wheelchair and walker-friendly. 

2. Install Grab Bars in the Bathroom

Installing grab bars in the shower and near the toilet is also crucial for preventing falls. You will want to hire a qualified expert contractor who can add sturdy and secure handrails. U-shaped and angled bars are typically safer than diagonal ones. 

3. Cut Out a Section of Your Tub

If you have a tub that you don’t want to get rid out, you can simply make a cut-out! An expert contractor can install a tub cut-out to lower your entry into the tub to ensure easy access. You don’t have to install a completely new shower in order to ensure your safety and comfort. 

Focus on Stairs and Doorways

Moving around your home can be difficult if it isn’t built to cater your needs

Aside from bathrooms, entryways and hallways also present considerable risks to elderly people. As you remodel your home, you need to consider how comfortable you feel going up and down stairs, moving through entryways, and being able to navigate through different parts of your house. 

• Installing a stairlift
• Building a wheelchair ramp
• Widening the doors
• Improving the lightning your stairs and hallways

4. Install a Stairlift

If you struggle with mobile impairments, climbing the stairs in your house can turn into an arduous task. Installing a stairlift eliminates this issue by giving you easy access to every level of your home. As a result, you can enjoy renewed independence and comfort. 

5. Build a Wheelchair Ramp

Whether you use a wheelchair or you struggle with limited mobility, installing wheelchair ramps inside or outside your home can be extremely beneficial. When installing these ramps, make sure they have a no-rise entry for your wheelchair. You will also need rails on either side of the ramp to help you support yourself as you walk across them. 

6. Widen the Doors

Walking through narrow doors typically isn’t a problem. But with a wheelchair, passing through these doors can become tedious and difficult. To ensure that every room in your house is accessible and easy to get through, you may need to invest in door widening services. 3 Birds Accessibility Solutions can turn a standard 28” frame to a 32” to 36” depending on your needs and preferences. 

7. Improve the Lighting in Stairs and Hallways

Good lighting is a simple, yet crucial aspect of any house. To stay safe, make sure you install proper lighting at all entry areas in your home. Motion-light sensors for ramps and stairs can be especially helpful to you. 

Staying at home is more important than ever due to the pandemic. But it can be hard to enjoy the time spent inside if your house isn’t built to accommodate you. As a result, you may need to look into stairlift installation services or bathroom remodeling. Pittsburgh based company 3 Birds Accessibility Solutions is ready to make you feel at home again. Since the start of our business, we have touched 1,200 lives, served 67 counties, and prevented 1,850 falls. Contact us today to start your accessible home remodeling project.