With the new year approaching, it might be time to start thinking about how you can upgrade your home’s functionality, especially in terms of accessibility.
In particular, if you have elderly family members or loved ones with mobility issues, a high level of accessibility will be a “must-have” within the home.
Not only can accessibility features help such people to move around the home with ease, but it can also help increase the value of your home should you wish to resell it in the future.
In this article, we will explore how you can renovate your home for accessibility, helping to improve the quality of life for you and your family. With the help of experts from Jared Hebb Contracting in Vancouver, you will achieve your desired home renovation.
The Importance of Accessibility
According to the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Family Resources Survey, around 24% of the total population of the UK was estimated to have a disability in the 2021/2022 financial year. This equates to approximately 16 million people across the nation.
With this in mind, it is important to have accessibility features in a building that can accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities, and even more important to have these features inside the home. This can help contribute to a more inclusive society that does not restrict individuals’ freedoms and movements based on their mobility.
In addition to this, accessible homes are beneficial not only for those with disabilities, but also for their caregivers and family members who may have to support them, improving the quality of care they can provide.
In essence, accessible homes offer the opportunity for people with disabilities to remain independent and to access essential amenities within the comfort of their own home.
Accessibility Renovation Ideas
So, you might be wondering, how can you renovate your home to be more accessible? While there are a number ofdifferent renovation ideas to choose from, here are our top picks:
Handrails & Grab Bars
Handrails and grab bars can be implemented in various rooms throughout the home, including the bathroom and stairway/hallway. Make sure to opt for stronger concrete stairs for your home.
In a bathroom, handrails and grab bars should be installed next to sinks, toilets, and showers, providing additional support to help individuals with sitting down, getting up, or simply walking. Handrails in long hallways are also a great idea.
Lifts
If your budget allows it, incorporating a lift inside your home is an excellent way to improve accessibility, especially for wheelchair users or for individuals who struggle with walking up and down the stairs on a regular basis.
You can find a variety of luxury home lifts, so that the final lift installed within your building can complement your homein both aesthetic and practical senses. Even if your home only has two storeys, a home lift can significantly improve your property’s functionality and accessibility.
Walk-In Shower
When it comes to the bathroom, a walk-in shower is always recommended for easy and safe access to the shower. This includes a low or no step into the shower, and potentially wheelchair-friendly features if you or another member of your family are wheelchair users.
In this walk-in shower, you could also include shower seats for individuals who might struggle with standing – this can be folded against the wall when not in use.
Ramps
Another way to support wheelchair users and those who find it difficult to climb the stairs or steps is through ramps. Thesecan be installed in a number of different areas, to get from downstairs to upstairs, or to simply get from the driveway and into the house. Ramps can be used both inside and outside of the home, fitted with rails for extra support.
Benefits of Accessibility Within the Home
There is a myriad of benefits that come with making your home more accessible. In fact, we have outlined several of the benefits you could reap below:
● Improved mobility – individuals with disabilities or mobility problems will be able to move more freely, possibly even without assistance; this makes it easier for them to move around the house by themselves
● Increased safety – installing handrails and other features like lifts can help prevent falls and maintain balance, which is crucial for elderly people and those with mobility issues
● Less reliance on caregivers – homes with accessibility adaptations enable individuals to regain their independence, allowing them to depend less on caregivers to help them with their day-to-day activities within the home. This could lead to them saving money in the long run, as caregiving services can be expensive
As you can see, there are many advantages to increasing the accessibility of your home. So, if you are looking for an exciting start to the new year, renovating your home for accessibility is definitely something to consider.
