The holidays are a special time of the year in which you get to spend precious time with the people you love the most, from your dearest friends to your closest family members.
Here at Acorn Stairlifts, we know that families come in all shapes and sizes. They are beautiful and unique, comprised of people of all ages, from different generations, diverse backgrounds, and varying abilities.
We know how much our families mean to us, and Acorn Stairlifts is here to make sure that all of your loved ones are able to enjoy the holidays together, regardless of their age or abilities.
Read on to learn 5 simple ways that you can make your home more accessible and disability-friendly for friends and family during the holidays.
Home Modifications That Can Help for People with Disabilities
1. Avoid putting down rugs that can act as obstacles to people with mobility restrictions.
Although rugs are often used to dress up the décor in your home, they can actually double as dangerous tripping hazards for people with mobility issues.
For example, the upturned edges of a rug can easily get caught on someone’s shoe, be snagged on a walker, or get tangled in the spokes of a wheelchair.
Be sure to be mindful of this as you decorate your home for guests this Christmas, and when possible, try to opt for the safer option rather than the most aesthetically pleasing option.
2. Make sure your doorways are wheelchair accessible and wide enough for easy entry and exit.
Having wider doorways throughout your home that are wheelchair accessible makes life much easier for people with mobility restrictions to enter and exit with ease, especially during chaotic times of celebration when people are constantly coming and going such as during the holidays.
Whether you use a wheelchair, a scooter, a walker, or a cane, wider doorways allow more space for people to come and go safely and comfortably.
3. Be mindful of the locations of rooms, counters, appliances, and furniture.
For people with limited mobility, the locations of rooms, counters, appliances, and furniture matter.
It is always helpful to make sure that on every floor there are nearby, easily accessible bathrooms and bedrooms so that people with disabilities don’t have to overcome the obstacle of a staircase.
Make sure to also provide enough space for walkways and in between furniture for wheelchairs and mobility assistance devices to pass through without issues.
Furthermore, strategically placing regularly used counters and appliances so that they can be easily reached is another smart move that improves accessibility in the home.
4. Make small modifications to your home such as adding gripping bars, eliminating barriers, installing a toilet riser, and changing door knob handles.
There are many small, simple modifications that you can make to your home that will significantly improve ease-of-use for all of your family members.
Door knobs that require dexterity to be gripped and turned can be difficult for people who use mobility aides or are disabled. If you can, it is best to replace these twisting doorknobs with levers or handles that are easily pushed or pulled open. Hands-free, automatic doors are also another useful option that can make entering and exiting a room much more convenient.
Eliminating barriers to common areas such as the shower or tub and modifying them to be walk-ins can make your home more accessible to all.
Furthermore, for especially slippery areas such as the bathroom, kitchen, or shower areas, the addition of gripping bars and a toilet riser can help provide needed assistance and support, preventing dangerous falls or slips.
5. Look into installing a stairlift in your home—Quick and easy stairlift installation from Acorn Stairlifts.
Stairlifts are life-changing devices that take your life to the next level by allowing you full access to the home you love.
Stairlift installation helps a variety of demographics, whether it’s the elderly, people recovering from an injury, the disabled, or people living with chronic diseases. That is because Acorn stairlifts are safe and user-friendly for everyone.
Acorn’s innovative stair lifts are designed to fit your home—your home will never be modified to fit our stairlifts. This is because Acorn Stairlifts has a unique FastTrack system that allows our rails to be modified to flow with the bends, curves, and lengths of straight, curved, and outdoor staircases.
Because this rail attaches directly to your staircase and never the wall, Acorn stairlift installation is quick and simple. Better yet, with this innovative system, no drilling or plastering is necessary, meaning that no messy modifications that compromise the style or structure of your home are necessary.
When you choose to go with Acorn Stairlifts, you are choosing a quality lift that will last for years to come—manufactured, installed, and serviced by only the top stairlift experts in the industry.
Get in contact with Acorn Stairlifts today to claim your free, no-obligation stairlift quote and home survey.