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If you or a loved one relies on a wheelchair for mobility due to physical limitations, medical conditions, or aging, making your home wheelchair-friendly should be a top priority. Often, people incorporate these modifications into their retirement plans to ensure a safe and comfortable living environment when mobility becomes a concern. Today, we will delve into this topic with insights from Wheelchair Wala, a prominent wheelchair dealer based in Delhi, known for advocating for wheelchair-friendly homes.
What is wheelchair friendly home?
It is the home designed or modified to make it accessible for wheelchair users.
Although renovation takes a lot of effort and time, it is worth considering the accessibility and freedom of your loved one.
Or, if you're looking to buy a property, you can design or buy an accessible home primarily intended for people with physical disabilities. Below are a few essential tips and tricks to make your home accessible and wheelchair friendly.
Using threshold ramps
The main obstacle the wheelchair users face is passing through threshold or door frames raised above the walking surface. Using threshold ramps, typically an inclined plane, creates a smooth, continuous platform from one level to another, making walking through those raised landings, doors, and passages easy and safe.
Widen doorways
Doorways should be at least 32-36 inches wide with sufficient floor space for a person with a wheelchair to move freely. In case they are not, you could either trim, remove the doors or install pivoting hinges that allow doors to swing clear of the doorway by adding a few inches of clearance.
Additionally, you can use lever-style door handles over traditional doorknobs to make your home more accessible.
Slip-resisting floors
Using thick rugs or carpets might increase the risk of accidents for people using wheelchairs. So, to avoid that, you can use a very low-pile mat attached to the subflooring using rug tape or install low-slip flooring options like vinyl, hardwood, tile, or laminate.
Remodeling bathrooms
To prevent accidents, the ideal bathroom for a wheelchair user should have a 5-foot turning radius. Adding safety frames, grab bars, bottomless vanities, and grab rails is another step in making your bathroom wheelchair accessible.
Accessible bedrooms
The suggested height of the bed from the floor to the top of the mattress is 20 to 23 inches to make the room wheelchair accessible. Pull-out drawers and lower closet rods are excellent for storing apparel, and adding a walk-in or roll-in closet creates spacious entryways.
Kitchen
Installing a countertop that is 34 inches high, sinks with room for a chair to go below them, and lower kitchen cabinets will make the space more usable and safer.
In addition to these, you should also consider
● Rearranging your furniture so that there is enough room for wheelchair users
● Making switches accessible or using remote control switches
● Using handrails on stairs
● Using accessible lighting design to avoid glare.
Final Thoughts
By making a few changes to your house setup, wheelchair users become more self-sufficient and independent. It is also of utmost importance for you to choose a suitable wheelchair that will not stop your freedom of mobility.
Looking for a Wheelchair?
For the best wheelchair shop in Delhi you can contact Wheelchair Wala. We are the best wheelchair dealers in India. Our wheelchair shop is your one-stop destination for all your wheelchair supplies.
