Additional Information
Why Home Modifications
Home Modification and Safety
Financial Resources
Basics of Accessibility
Facts on Elderly Population
Understanding Different Abilities
Test Your Knowledge
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Suggestions
Click on an area of the house to see some suggestions for modifications.
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Bathroom
Install grab bars- Be certain to place them in the bathtub, the shower, and on both sides of the toilet. They would also be helpful outside the tub and shower for support and balance.
See Grab Bars below.
Increase safety with non-slip and slip resistant mats and strips to the bathtub and shower and to the bathroom floor.
Consider carpeting in your bathroom. It is warmer and may prevent falls. It allows more confidence when entering and exiting a shower or tub.
Provide either a transfer seat into the tub or a built in platform. The bathtub should be a different color than the walls, and fixtures should contrast the walls and floor.
Construct a built platform on the wall opposite the faucet. It should be at least 15 deep and made of tile or another waterproof material.
A roll-in shower (one that a wheelchair can enter) is more accessible for all persons. For wheel chair users the shower should have a 5' turn around (This may include any area that is open next to the shower, if a curtain encloses the shower.) The minimum size of a roll-in shower is 2-6 x 5-0.
A roll-in shower will have no curb or level change in the entrance, a gradually sloping floor and raised strip (max. 1/2) to contain water and possibly a non-slip, waterproof wet area adjacent to the shower entrance.
The 3 x 3 transfer shower with a seat is best. This shower has a specifically sized L-shaped seat on one wall and the opposite wall has a precisely located set of controls and an L-shaped grab bar.
Install a fold down shower seat.
Offset faucets and controls towards the outer edge of the tub or shower to make it easier to reach the control from the outside of the fixture.
Install a hand held showerhead with mounted clip holders. This enables those in a wheelchair or flip down seat to better bathe themselves and reach the controls. A wall-mounted slide-bar can position the showerhead at many convenient heights.
Install anti-scalding devices in sinks, bathtubs, and showers, to avoid accidental scalding.
Enclose the shower with a shower curtain. It is safer than glass, easily accessible, and can be maneuvered around transfer seats.
Provide a raised toilet seat, which may be helpful to someone who has difficulty standing. Use a thicker toilet seat or spacer ring between the toilet rim and seat. A conventional toilet can also be installed on an elevated base.
Ensure that toilets are generally be 18 high, no less than 15 or more than 19. This enables those in wheelchairs to transfer easily from a wheelchair of the same height.
Toilet placement is recommended in a corner for efficient grab bar placement.
See Grab Bars below.
Mount the sink on the wall or in a vanity with open space underneath. A removable vanity base cabinet can create additional storage when knee space is not needed.
Raise the recommended counter height for the bathroom sink from 32-33 from the floor; knee space should be a minimum of 29 from floor.
Enclose and insulate the sink pipes to guard against accidental burns or sharp edges.
Install medicine cabinets so that they are easy to access; mirror medicine cabinets are often at heights that are not typically accessible. A drawer or wall mounted shelving for medications may be in order.
Mount mirrors no higher than 40 off the floor.
Arrange all water flow fixtures so that users can operate them easily, with a closed fist, such as lever style controls (opposed to round or square knob). With one hand in a single motion, the user should be able to adjust controls.
Consider other control options where feasible, such as push plates or electronically controlled systems where levels are preset.
Create open floor space in bathrooms of at least 5' for a wheelchair turn around.
Remove locks from the bathroom door to avoid being locked in the bathroom.
Change doors to swing outwards to avoid trapping collapsed persons.
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Grab Bars
Use only grab bars with a diameter of 1 Ό 1 ½. The space between the wall and the bar should be no more than 1 ½.
Properly reinforce walls to accept the load of the grab bar and the weight of a person.
Types of Grab Bars
Wall mounted- most common and permanent
Seat mounted- fitted especially for the toilet, bars may wiggle or need adjustment over time
Floor mounted- often used near toilets and tubs and showers, permanent, may require wall and floor reinforcement
Folding or Pivoting- wall mounted and can be moved when not in use; subject to maintenance and movement problems
Portable- moveable, easily stored and can travel with the user, attaches with combination of clamps, screws or suction cups
Further Suggestions:
Install horizontal grab bars on all three walls of a roll-in shower.
Install vertical grab bars to help maintain balance while standing, entering and exiting the shower. Place adjacent to the controls or on the side walls.
Provide 4 grab bars in a conventional tub; use only 3 if the tub has a built-in transfer seat.
2 grab bars will easily fit around toilet placed in a corner. Place one behind the toilet fixture and the other beside the toilet at a height of 33-36.
Mount a grab bar along side the toilet at a length of 42 long; the rear-mounted bar should be a minimum of 24 or 36 long.
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Bedroom
Make a clear and simple path to the bathroom.
Include nightlights in the bedroom and along the path to the bathroom.
Add a light switch by the door and next to the bed.
Include a 5' turn around space for easiest mobility.
Allow 3' for wheelchair access on both sides of the bed if available.
Install an adjustable hanging rod in the bedroom closet for persons of all heights.
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Entrances
Widen walkways and driveways enough for a wheelchair to easily maneuver in these spaces.
Clear pathways of obstacles, such as vegetation, stones, furniture, etc.
Keep pathways well lit along the full length of the path.
Maintain a minimum width of 36' for ramped entrances. When using handrails, a width of 44-48". Have guardrails and handrails on both sides along the length of the ramp or pathway. These handrails should be at a height of 34-38 above the floor surface.
Be certain that ramps have a ratio 1:12; for every 12 inches of ramp length, the ramp should be raised in height one inch.
Install handrails on both sides of the stairs leading to the entrance to increase safety.
Maintain stairs so that they are even, sturdy, well constructed and comfortable, and adequately lit.
Install flooring with a firm, non-slip surface of continuous texture, and keep it free of holes, bumps or large cracks. The surface should also shed water and ice easily.
Place furniture to allow for a minimum 5 turning radius.
Replace any warped or uneven deck planks. These can easily cause falls. Double check that the remaining planks are properly secured and sturdy.
Ensure that thresholds have little (1/2" or less) or no level change at all.
Adequately light the doorway for easier entry and and to make visible the visitor waiting outside.
Put shelves or a table near the doorway to free hands when entering the home.
Provide a secured rug or another porous, non-slip surface to lessen slips and falls once inside.
Set a second peephole at 42 inches in height, accessible to all wheelchair bound individuals.
Check to see if the doorbell or call box is functional at the entry.
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Garage
Clear any pathways, of obstructions, that are most often used to enter the home. Move elsewhere or install shelves in an appropriate area that will hold these items.
Thoroughly clean any spilled substances off the garage floor so that falls are less likely to occur.
Keep steps into the house clear; do not use them for storage. Add a handrail for easier use.
Install a ramp if stairs make the garage inaccessible; make sure handrails are accessible.
Add lighting in the garage, especially along pathways most often used. Keep windows unobstructed to maximize natural light.
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Hallways
Establish a minimum width of 4 for all hallways and corridors.
Install handrails in stairways, on both sides to accommodate all users and increase safety.
Keep stairway efficiently lit at all times. Use nightlights as a backup at nighttime.
Keep stairs clear so that falls are less likely to occur.
Remove any furniture from hallways or corridors and do not decorate these areas.
Make sure thresholds do not prohibit easy and safe entry into each room. Remove or lower lips or curbs and clear doorway of loose materials (carpet, tile or nails).
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Kitchen
Where possible, allow floor space of 5 in kitchens for a wheelchair to maneuver.
Raise the toe kick to 9 inches, as opposed to the standard 4-inch toe kick.
Lower counter top workspaces to 30"- 34 in height, as opposed to the 36" height of standard counter tops. To accommodate standing persons, standard height counter segments can be provided.
Eliminate sharp or protruding countertops, rounded edges help reduce injury in the case of a fall.
Increase workspace, including a cutting board.
Allow an area of counter space at least 30 in width, that is free of cabinetry underneath.
Provide a rolling cart to help transfer large amounts of food to the dining space. The cart can be stored in cabinet knee space when not in use.
Install an adjustable mirror over the cook top, to allow a person to see into the back burners.
Install a counter mounted stovetop, which is more accessible to someone in a wheelchair. It can be installed at a convenient height, instead of the conventional range height of 35-36, which is too high for someone in a wheelchair.
Allow for knee space beside a conventional oven for ease. Wall ovens and counter mounted stovetops can have knee space below the appliance.
Place controls on or near the front of the device to eliminate the need to reach over burners. Where feasible, use a control knob with a lever handle or blade or electric touch controls, as oven or stovetop controls are not easy to operate for arthritic people. Ensure that controls are properly marked On and Off.
Provide space under the cook top and sink at least 27 high and 19" deep, as well as 30" wide, so that a person in a wheelchair can maneuver under them.
Allow at least 18 inches of working space on both sides of the stovetop, oven, sink and at least one side of the refrigerator as accessible working space.
Remove cabinetry from beneath the sink, and enclosed or insulate pipes to protect from burns or sharp edges.
Install lever style controls on all sinks as opposed to round or square.
Place the garbage disposal switch near if not on the edge of the counter to make it accessible.
Use a sink with a basin of 6 ½ or less as it is more accessible to someone in a wheelchair because the required kneespace is more easily provided.
Where possible, situate sinks or ranges in corners at a 45-degree angle to provide kneespace and eliminate inefficient storage areas.
When affordable, provide a side by side refrigerator, as it is more accessible than an upper freezer, lower refrigerator model.
Replace the lowest shelves of the refrigerator with bins for easier accessibility.
Select an oven or microwave equipped with side swing doors, which makes transferring food easier.
Store supplies in locations where they will be easily accessible.
Where possible, employ Lazy Susans, a convenient way to store frequently used items.
Make lower cabinets more accessible by replacing the standard shelf with a roll out shelf or full extension drawers.
Do not use upper cabinetry to store frequently used items.
Use adjustable cabinetry that may be raised or lowered to an accessible height. The range of reach for a seated person is 15- 48 above floor level. A standing person has a reach range of 2-0 to 6-0.
Use loop handles for cabinetry. These handles provide those with arthritis with a better grip the handle. The preferred handle size is 4 with a 1 ½ clear space between the face of cabinet or drawer and the handle. Handles should always be mounted as high as possible.
Install electrical outlets to the front of the counter as well as along the wall. This allows for seated people to reach outlet.
Avoid using light colored floors. They show scratches and markings from wheelchairs and walkers more.
Take advantage of natural light possible in the kitchen area. If not enough light is available add additional light sources for proper viewing of difficult kitchen tasks.
Regularly check smoke detectors to ensure that they are working. Install an electronic system that will notify not only the resident but also the fire department.
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Dining Room
Choose dining room chairs with arms for support. The arms are most beneficial when they extend past the seat.
Use table 27-34 in height for accessibility; it should be stable enough to hold on to for assistance when standing.
Keep the path between dining room and kitchen clear so that trips or falls while transferring food does not occur.
Remove bulky furniture or anything that may prohibit movement. Store china and other items in smaller shelving units or in the kitchen.
Provide sufficient light in the dining area especially in areas of activity.
If a light hangs over the table, ensure safety by raising light above standing head level and making sure it is anchored well in the ceiling.
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Laundry
Locate laundry facilities on the first floor to allow for accessibility to everyone.
Choose dryers that have swing doors on one side of the appliance.
Install adjustable shelves that will hold detergents or other cleaning supplies.
Allow space for an accessible table, for ironing and folding.
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Lighting
Increase the amount of lighting.
Provide consistent lighting throughout the home.
Inconsistent lighting levels and brightness levels may produce frightening shadows, an optical illusion of steps or edges where the light and shadows meet, and most commonly, increased confusion and agitation.
Diminish glare.
Reduced glare will maximize attention span and minimize falls and feelings of discomfort.
Natural daylight must be accessible.
Natural sunlight stimulates the circadian and neuroendocrine systems that regulate the body's entire homeostasis.
Use of nightlights.
Nightlights are necessary to make a clear pathway during nighttime hours. Night- lights help to avoid unnecessary falls and incontinence.
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Living Room
Do not change furniture layouts often.
Circulation paths should be a minimum of 4 feet wide.
Provide furniture that has arms.
Avoid furniture with movement (swivels or rocks).
Avoid furniture with sharp edges.
Keep floor clear of obstructions so that accidental slipping or falls do not occur.
If there is a level change, distinguish the edge or step with lights or railings so that falls do not occur.
Make sure placement of switches allows lights to be kept on until a room is vacated.
Any switches, receptacles, faucets, controls, outlets and thermostats should be mounted between 9 inches and 54 inches above the floor level.
Warning signals must be both visual and audible.
Ensure all alarms work and have adequate power.
Windows that are operable by the individual must not exceed 5 pounds of force to maneuver.
Windows that have either push rods or cranks are most desirable. Make sure the window latch is at an accessible height.
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