Have you or a loved one recently arrived at a place in your life where you need to make your home more accessible? Maybe you are dealing with a disability, or have recently experienced a life-changing event that has impacted your mobility? Or maybe you have an aging family member in your house who needs increased assistance to get around? Wheelchairs and scooters are a great way to improve quality of life for those who are not able to walk with the same ease they once had. However, getting a wheelchair or scooter is only the first step towards streamlining overall mobility in your home. Keep reading to learn about the five ways to make your home more accessible for wheelchairs and scooters, and remember to trust 101 Mobility for all your residential and commercial mobility needs.
Our Top 5 Ways to Increase Mobility for Wheelchair & Scooter-Users in Your Home
- Move Around Furniture: It may sound simple, but rearranging furniture can go a long way toward helping your loved ones adjust to their new reality using a scooter or wheelchair. Try to position furniture in your home so that there are no sharp turns or narrow throughways. You should also do everything you can to guarantee that comfortable furniture is as easy to access as possible. And when it comes to kitchen utensils or items on shelves, try to place them as low as you can, so those using their wheelchair/scooter have an easy time reaching them.
- Watch Out for Slippery/Tough Surfaces: Slippery surfaces are not just those that have recently had water or other liquids spilled on them. Depending on what your flooring is made of, there may be a number of slippery surfaces throughout your house. Conversely, the same goes for tough surfaces like rugs and rough grout. Whether you’re dealing with hardwood floors or shag carpeting, the bottom line is that it’s important to be cognizant of how these surfaces may impact the daily lives of those with mobility issues. Consider installing grippy mats in bathrooms and showers as a start, and if you really want to improve mobility for those in scooters or wheelchairs, analyze surface threats throughout your house and remove as many as possible.
- Replace Stairs With Ramps: This is a big one! Stairs are a natural hazard for people transitioning to a wheelchair or motorized scooter. The tough part is that stairs are a mainstay of almost all modern architectural styles. However, even if your home is a classic ranch style, those few steps leading from the door to the front entrance can make a big difference for those experiencing mobility issues. That’s why for households where individuals are going to be using wheelchairs or scooters for prolonged periods, we suggest installing some kind of ramp. Whether that means a portable ramp for those that may or may not need wheelchair access as the years progress, or a threshold to ensure that every entranceway into your home is accessible, 101 Mobility has indoor and outdoor home ramps to provide safe and reliable room-to-room access for individuals using scooters, wheelchairs, and any other mobility-related devices. And if a ramp does not cut it for your home, you may want to…
- Consider Installing an Elevator/Stairlift: Installing an elevator or stairlift is a big step in the larger quest for accessibility. However, there are times when this may be the only option for those who need a wheelchair or motorized scooter to get around. These devices come in a wide variety of styles, with specifications to meet all homeowners’ needs and specific property requirements. If you live in a multi-level home and are looking for a safe, elegant, and reliable way to get from level to level, an elevator or stairlift may be right for you. Remember, this investment in your home is also an investment in your loved one’s safety for years to come!
- Consult an Expert: The bottom line is that when it comes to increased mobility for wheelchair and scooter-users, hiring a professional can make all the difference. At 101 Mobility, our experts can help you or one of your loved ones find a solution that improves your home life while adding minimal disruption to your property. Contact us today to learn more about handicap-accessible options for your whole household. And remember, when it comes to safety, efficiency, and affordability, you can’t go wrong by hiring our experts at 101 Mobility!
Don’t let mobility issues stop you or a loved one from living to the fullest! Contact us today for a free consultation, and learn how you can make your home more accessible for everyone in it.