One common way to make a home accessible for those with disabilities or limited mobility is by overcoming the steps at the garage entrance. Steps are an accessibility barrier that are typically made of concrete or wood, and railings are not always installed. The construction of the stairs may also be low-quality in some cases, which can pose injury risks from slips and falls. Here are the top 5 solutions to help make a home’s garage safe and accessible.
Before recommending a Hoyer lift for patient/client transfers, it’s important to fully understand the challenges of using this type of equipment, and more importantly, why an overhead ceiling lift is often a better solution.
People diagnosed with cancer often require additional safety precautions to ensure that any health-related problems do not occur. Day-to-day activities that can be taken for granted will become harder. Simple things like cooking, cleaning, and even walking up the stairs may become strenuous, and even dangerous.
As we age, our home may not be as easy to navigate as it once was. Getting up and down a set of stairs may be a chore because of decline in mobility. The risk of slipping and falling in the bathroom is likely much higher, especially if there are no grab bars in the bathtub/shower, or near the toilet.
An option for older adults who are having a difficult time getting around at home is a senior living facility. However, these types of facilities do not offer the familiarity and comfort that a home does. A home is full of memories from parties and gatherings with family and lifelong friends. It is the place where a majority of older prefer to stay as they age.
Independent living can be difficult to achieve if your home isn’t ready for it. A newfound lack of mobility may prevent you from doing everyday tasks as you used to. Creating systems for different parts of your home can help you remain self-sufficient. Whether it be living with a disability or aging in place, there are many ways to achieve an independent living situation.
Extending your independence and being able to continue living in your home alone allows you to have freedom of choice in your life. While this may seem costly, there are options for the financial burden this could place. There are government assistance programs that allow you to use the money for additions to your home for accommodation purposes. Additionally, if you’ve lived in your home for some time you’ve likely built up a good amount of equity that can beleveraged in a home equity loan. This can be especially helpful for accessing funds immediately in one lump-sum payment.
Giving your space any necessary updates gives you more ability to stay in your own home. Take a look at these tips to ensure each room of your home is up-to-date for your lifestyle.
1. Continue your kitchen use
Your kitchen shouldn’t turn into a place to avoid because of lack of access. To ensure safety in the kitchen, you don’t want to have things stored too high up, especially heavy items. Having everything at eye level or at an arm’s reach will cut down on the chance of dropping things. Look to add pull down cabinets and pull out drawers so you can still grab things with less mobility. A lazy suzan cabinet or pantry could also keep everything at the same level and makeit easier to search for the items you are looking for. For heavier items, especially ones you would normally keep at a lower level, creating a raising system takes away the need to bend down and lift up heavy appliances. Simple changes can help you to continue using your kitchen as your abilities change.
2. Allow For Accessible Bathroom Storage
Accessible bathrooms commonly include handrails and barrier free showers. You will want to ensure the showers in your household are walk/roll-in showers. They should be 30 inches wide by 60 inches deep with a 60 inch wide entry to allow for wheelchair entry according to ADA standards. Another aspect to take into consideration is shower storage. The height of your shower items needs to be attainable for your mobility. Putting in your own storage containers allows you to choose the height. You may want to use soap dispensers so you can easily access your products.
Outside of the shower, you may want to take into consideration the sink as well. Make sure your sink is ADA compliant, at least 34 inches above the floor. There also needs to be 60 inches of clear floor space to accommodate wheelchair users. Having one row of drawers in your bathroom design keeps everything at a reachable distance and also allows more space below if you need to make it wheelchair accessible. Removing the barriers in the bathroom and keeping it neat can give you independence and privacy in a place where you want it most.
3. Create Space in Your Bedroom
The bedroom is another place where you would want privacy and discretion. Keeping it functional and spacious allows you to move around easier. Make sure you choose a dresser that suits your ideal level of comfort when it comes to storing things. You may want to look into ones that have deeper drawers so you don’t have to look through multiple sections for just a few things. Putting organizers and spacers within the drawer can help keep things separated so everything doesn’t look like a cluttered mess and it’s easier to look through.
If you have a lot of electronics, especially those with cords, it may be time to look into getting automation systems set up. This can keep the floor free of cords that could be a fall-hazard and allow you to operate your electronics using your phone or your voice. Smart screens and plugs allow you to control lights and electronics with your voice rather than having to get up and flip a switch. You can also schedule actions so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to turn the living room lights off at night. These systems can also connect throughout your home, so you can control the whole house from one room.
4. Clear Up Your Closet
Being able to continue using closet spaces even when your mobility is lacking is important in being able to maintain your independence. A big part of being able to use the closets is making sure it’s accessible. Implementing door widening and an automatic door opener increases the accessibility of your closet which can help if you are in a wheelchair. It can also provide you with more functionality in your closet and make it easier to move around.
Shelving and hanging rods should be adjusted to suit your needs. Make sure the rods are at a height that can accommodate your reach. Pull down rods may be a good option as well to keep everything organized while still allowing access to what you need. Shelves also need to be at a height that suits you, both for reaching and potentially for a wheelchair as well. You don’t want to install shelves so low that it impedes a wheelchair’s ability to move throughout a room.
5. Accommodate for Service Animals
Service animals, while helpful and necessary, are still an addition to your house. They will need their own food, leashes and harnesses, a crate, and more that you might need space for. Making sure they have their own designated area in your home can keep it from getting cluttered with things and keep it out of your way. Having bins or small cabinets for their items frees up floor space so it doesn’t become a hazard to you. Making sure everything is labeled can also help you to remember where things are stored. A doggy door may be something to think about adding as well. A trained service dog will be more independent than your average animal, so allowing it to go outside when needed without you having to open the door for them makes it easier for the both of you.
Organizing your home can not only make it look nicer, but make your life easier. It allows you to live like you have been, just with more access. When it comes down to your future, you can call the shots with just a few adjustments, and make sure your house fits your current and potential needs.
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” The holiday season has arrived, bringing lots of joy and cheer and families and friends together for parties and gatherings.
The early signs of ALS are when muscle cramps and twitching, weakness in hands, legs or ankles or difficulty speaking or swallowing begin. Loss of movement follows, and then moving around the home becomes progressively more difficult. The help of a caregiver, whether that person be a professional or a family member, is eventually needed. Home accessibility is better when you can plan ahead and enjoy the freedom to move around your home without big obstacles.
There are ALS home modifications and adaptive equipment for ALS patients that can help extend one’s independence, and keep mobility possible. The accessibility solution will depend on the rate of progression of the disease, the style of your home, personal finances and personal choice.
Here are some home modifications and adaptive equipment tips to help you find your ideal solution:
Understand your options and seek help from a contractor that genuinely cares about your situation, and that offers full service – ALS adaptive equipment, remodeling, exceptional customer service. All these factors matter. There are more options that most people know about so ask for more than one choice.
Get a full home evaluation specific to your needs from a proven and certified professional. There may be a solution that you haven’t thought of. Your home is unique and you are unique, and a personal evaluation is the best way to understand what is best for you.
Prioritize needs and budget. Make a list and weigh your options. There can be a difference between what is desired and what is realistic.
Evaluate lift and transfer solutions to reduce the human aid element. A ceiling lift may work better than a mobile lift, for example. Enjoy your independence for as long as possible. Ceiling lifts can do the heavy lifting to your bed or bath/shower and take the weight off the family or caregivers.
Contact your ALS Association Foundation to visit their learning lab, gain support from their care coordinators and learn what is available through their loan closet.
Add bathroom grab bars, which are one of the most affordable and viable solutions available to help reduce falls.
Widen doorways if you depend on a wheelchair or any other equipment on wheels that require a bit more space for safe passage. This extra room will be helpful to open up your home and avoid frustration with tight spaces.
Consider a bathroom remodel with no threshold or barriers. Roll-in showers and walk-in tubs can greatly improve comfort and ease of bathing.
Couple adaptive solutions based on a priority list. A barrier-free bathroom remodel OR a combination of an stairlift or home elevator and a TubBuddy System that works with your existing bathroom.
Explore funding options that may be available for your family. Home modifications and adaptive equipment installation may be covered by a non-profit or a government-backed grant. Look for that free money.
ALS Home Modifications and Adaptive Equipment for ALS Patients
If you follow a plan for your situation and home, independence and safety are achievable. If you need help developing that plan, then seek out a local accessibility expert near you.
Please note that home construction services like door widening and accessible bathroom remodels may not be available at all Lifeway Mobility locations.
Find a local ALS Chapter near you.
Whether you have recently become disabled or have been living with a disability your whole life, you have likely needed to make modifications to your home to support an independent lifestyle. Home modifications can make parts of your home more accessible.
Most seniors want to age in place in their homes, well past retirement and into their golden years, and with a bit of help, they can. When circumstances change, specifically in the areas of mobility and ability, seniors may look for ways to make the rooms in their homes more easily accessible for themselves.
Adult children of aging parents also worry that mom or dad may be more susceptible to potential risks at home, especially in the bathroom or shower. A fall while performing daily activities would surely raise concerns about their continued ability to stay safe and independent at home.
Wheelchair users can grow frustrated by common barriers like narrow doorways, stairways, tight hallways and inaccessible bathing or shower facilities, just to name a few. Facing any of these challenges can be enough to make a person want to move.
This Home Safety Guide for Seniors is intended to help the elderly, and their caregivers alike, commence a plan to stay in their own home as long as is possible, and on their own terms. This home safety for seniors guide contains useful information about ways to help them get around in their home an community.
Lifeway Mobility can help seniors plan ahead and make informed decisions about assistive equipment and home modifications that can be the difference between living independently in their home and alternatives that are not nearly as desirable.
Falls: There are Ways to Lower the Risk of a Fall
The elderly are hospitalized for fall-related injuries five times more often than they are for injuries from other causes. Too often, seniors seek help after a tragic event happens. Seeking a professional assessment of one’s home environment to learn how to make it safer is highly recommended. This will help seniors and their families understand the variety of assistive and safety devices that may help reduce the risk of falling. Or, here are some common-sense ways for seniors to prevent falls right away:
Use a cane or walker to steady yourself when getting up. Stand up slowly after eating, lying down or resting. Getting up too quickly can cause your blood pressure to drop, which can make you feel faint.
Use a cane or walker to feel steadier when you walk. If your doctor prescribes a cane or walker, we can help find one that fits your needs.
Wear rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes that fully support your feet. Wearing only socks or smooth-soled shoes on stairs or waxed floors can be unsafe.
Hold the handrails when you use the stairs. Use hand grips and install grab bars throughout the house.
Use a reaching stick, or more commonly known as a reacher, to reach items on top shelves. Consider a step stool with a handle.
Carefully consider the safety of your bathroom. Grab bars, raised toilet seats, safety bars for your tub, and transfer benches can make your bathroom a significantly safer place.
Consider purchasing a personal medical alarm to wear around your neck. These electronic devices that can bring peace of mind to you and your loved ones.
Taking care of your overall health and well-being can help lower fall risks.
Ask your doctor about a bone density test, which will tell how strong your bones are. Medications are available that can make your bones stronger and harder to break.
Regular exercise can help keep you strong, and your joints, tendons and ligaments flexible. Talk with your doctor before beginning any program.
Have your vision and hearing tested often. Even small changes in sight and hearing can make you less stable and can throw off your depth perception.
Discuss possible side effects from medication with your doctor and/or pharmacist. Some medicines affect coordination and balance.
Related resource: Take this Free Fall Risk Assessment Test
Making Every Room in a Home Safe and Accessible
Have you thought about the current and future safety and accessibility needs of all those who are living in your home? What about accessibility needs of friends and relatives who visit? Do you have an aging parent who is coming to stay for awhile?
Practicing the concept of universal design, either during initial construction or with home modifications later, incorporates design elements, spaces and even equipment that make each room more user friendly for as many different people as possible.
Modifications like extra-wide doorways and hallways can accommodate a walker, or make getting around easier for a person on crutches or in a wheelchair. Movable cabinets increase the usability of the kitchen wheelchair users, and anyone who has a hard time bending down or reaching up.
Equipment like grab bars and support poles offer assistance when coming to a standing position, while stair lifts, wheelchair ramps, platform lifts and even residential elevators can keep every level of your home accessible to all.
Home Safety Solutions to Home Accessibility Challenges
Here are some solutions to common home mobility and accessibility challenges for seniors by room.
Bathrooms
Barrier-free showers
Walk-in tubs
Step-in tub cutouts
Grab bars & handrails
Elevated toilet seats
Bath lifts
Shower benches
Swing & support bath basins
Toilet support frames
Bedroom
Adjustable beds
Bed rails
Floor or ceiling-mounted lifts
Bedside commodes
Handholds/poles to help with standing
Over-bed trapeze
Pull-out closet shelving
Handrails
Kitchen
Easy-access cabinetry
Accessible counter tops
Handrails
Easy-grip utensils, ergonomic dishes
Accessible appliances
Reachers
Pull-out shelving
Living Area
Stairway lifts
Lift chairs
Canes & walkers
Home monitoring devices
Walkers
Safety poles
Handrails
Lighting
Home automation devices for seniors
Getting Around – inside, outside and in your community
Scooters
Portable ramps
Power wheelchairs
Rollators & canes
Vehicle lifts
Accessible vehicles
Lightweight transport wheelchairs
Porch railings
Foldable canes, walkers, wheelchairs
Wheelchair Users
Modular ramps
Door widening
Curbless or barrier-free showers
Residential elevators
Patient and vehicle lifts
Pull-out shelving
Inclined platform lifts
Vertical platform lifts
Automatic door openers
Modify Your Home Room by Room
Modifying the home can be as simple as picking up throw rugs (tripping hazards) or more complex – widening doorways, installing a “curbless” shower, changing door handles to levers, installing “rocker” light switches, or opening up interior space to make it more accessible and practical for individuals who use mobility equipment. Some of the most common home modifications include:
• Grab bars in bathrooms especially around the toilet and bathing area• Ramps, both interior and exterior• Stair lifts – both indoor and outdoor• Door widening• Walk-in tubs/curbless or barrier-free showers• Full bath remodels• Ceiling lifts• Porch lifts• Accessible room additions• Floor coverings to accommodate wheelchair use
Staying Safe in Your Home
Home automation products are ‘smart’ home devices that can help seniors monitor the security and safety of their homes, engage automated lighting systems, allow the homeowner to see who is at the door, and program the thermostat so it learns family patterns, and knows when someone is home or not. Elders can also check on pets and the security of your home while away, and so much more. These gadget can help seniors stay in their homes –– comfortably and safely. Actual smart devices include security cameras, doorbells, thermostats, smoke detectors, lighting controls and more.
Emergency alert devices and systems can help seniors remain independent at home and when out and about in the community. Most systems offer options for wearing the alert button around the neck or on the wrist, and are automatically triggered when a fall is detected and the user cannot push the button. Such automated fall detection can be a real life saver.
Medicare & Insurance Guide
Many home medical products are covered by Medicare. What Medicare doesn’t cover, secondary insurance often will. Home modifications and accessibility equipment like stair lifts, bathroom safety, ramps, vehicle lifts, and vertical platform lifts usually are not covered by Medicare or insurance, but may be through non-profits, waiver programs, reverse mortgages, special home improvement loans, foundations and churches.
Remember to weigh the cost of alternative care versus the cost of making your home environment more accessible through modification.
The average annual cost of skilled care at a nursing home is $82,500 for a semi-private room, or $92,500 for a private room.
Assisted living costs an average of $48,000 annually.
The average rate for an in-home health aide is $23 per hour.
Adult day services average about $22,000 if care is provided five days a week.
Learn about how much a stair lift, wheelchair ramp, or home elevator might cost (spoiler - each solution is more cost-effective than any alternative care option above!)
Stair Lift Pricing
Wheelchair Ramp Pricing
Home Elevator Pricing
We trust you’ll find value in all the information presented and that if circumstances change, that Lifeway Mobility will be top-of-mind when needing a professional evaluation for one’s home.
Related Resource: Medicaid Home Modification Funding Guide
Lifeway Mobility was proudly featured on HouseSmarts Radio with Lou Manfredini via WGN Radio Chicago 720! HouseSmarts is a well-known home improvement and lifestyle show that provides homeowners with tips on home renovation and repairs.
Lou and his team were interested in speaking to an expert about aging-in-place and making homes more accessible, and selected Lifeway Mobility as the guest to interview.
August 2, 2021
Philadelphia, PA– Lifeway Mobility, a leading provider of accessibility solutions that help people stay safe and independent at home, is pleased to announce it is further expanding its footprint into the Mid-Atlantic & Southeastern regions of the country.
Due to the pandemic, more patients with complex needs are being discharged directly home, which can cause challenges for healthcare facilities and patients. Home care and home access are part of the solution to help those with limited mobility remain in their homes safely and on parallel path to help minimize readmission.
For most, long-term care planning is not something that is on their radar. However, for older adults making a long-term care plan is something that should be done sooner than later. A first step is learning more about what long-term care is and about the variety of services that are available.
"They're Coming Home!...Now What?"
Whether the stay at the hospital was expected or due to an emergency, homecoming is what everyone is waiting for - but it must be planned for to ensure a safe transition home.
We wanted to share a recording of our webinar, "Tips from the Experts: Maintaining Independence at Home", for those who were unable to attend when it was presented live on October 28th, 2020.
"My dad had a stroke and can't climb the stairs inside or outside his home."
We hear stories like this every day and our Accessibility Specialists are experts at solving mobility challenges in a variety of environments in and around the home.
If you or a loved one struggles with mobility, this FREE webinar provides invaluable tips and product recommendations to help maintain mobility, safety and independence.
During this unprecedented time, our home is the safest place to be. For people over the age of 65 or those at higher risk for COVID-19, it is crucial to stay at home to reduce the risk of being exposed to the virus. However, just like everyone else, they still need food, prescriptions and other essential products to remain healthy.
In a study on parents of children with a disability, it was found that 55% of the parents were not sure their disabled child would always have a place to stay. Further, 62% stated their adult child with disabilities had strong independent living skills and abilities to to care of themselves.
Burnsville, MN - Lifeway Mobility is pleased to announce that it has invested in Disabilities, Inc., doing business as Twin City Stairlifts/Ability Solutions, Burnsville, MN, which has been “Helping People Stay Where They Live” by providing accessibility solutions for individuals with limited mobility for almost 20 years.
It is our purpose to help people simplify their lives with accessibility solutions. Many times, individuals who need us don’t know where to start and yet, they are about to be processed for hospital discharge or leave a physical rehab center. Whether patients are calling for guidance themselves or a family member is reaching out, here are seven helpful tips one should address before hospital discharge.
For people who are aging in place or need help with mobility or medical issues at home, in-home care from a qualified provider can enable them to live at home more safely and independently.
Professional caregivers can provide different types and levels of care on either a short-term or long-term basis, including:
Companionship and conversation
Transportation to appointments or errands
Assistance with safely managing tasks around the house
Help with daily activities such as dressing and bathing
Nursing and medical care
But how do you know what type of care you need, and what type of caregiver can provide it? Here are the types of in-home caregivers you might experience, from the lowest level of care to the highest.
Have you ever had the experience of being bullied, left out or pushed out? The disappointment, shock and sense of betrayal can be extremely painful. For some, the confrontation may leave emotional scars for years! Whether you have been the victim of “the mean girls club” or worse, making a come back and trying to access your right to be included may have been difficult at best. Some people with disabilities deal with this on a regular basis!
Over 1 billion people have a disability in the world today. More than 100 million are children. Unfortunately, these kids are victims of violence four times more often than children who are not disabled. The adults with disabilities tend to be victims of violence 1.5 times more often than other adults.
Disabled Individuals Are the World’s Largest Minority
When blockades prevent the inclusion of every member of society, we all suffer. Some of these barriers exist in the heart and mind, while others are physical obstructions. When these obstacles are gone, those with disabilities are allowed to engage fully in life which brings benefits to everyone. Accessibility is not an option but is critical to the health and well-being of our communities.
While public buildings should be following codes of inclusion, accessibility and mobility solutions truly start at home. The very concept of universal design is to make living spaces safe and accommodating for all. The options are endless!
Right To Be Included
If an individual can’t navigate steps into their home safely, adding handrails can be a great solution. If a little more assistance is needed, the installation of a ramp, threshold, or stair lift can make a world of difference!
The safety features in a bathroom for example, can entail the simple installation of grab bars or a tub cut. The tub cut is done in a day using the existing bathtub bringing that hard to manage 14-inch step into the tub, down to a 4-inch step. For those that need more simplified access, perhaps a barrier free shower or complete bathroom remodel is in order.
Bedroom safety may include doorways that need to be widened or beautiful handrails added along the walls. For some individuals, an over-head lift may be the best idea yet. Some need an extra boost to go from bed to chair to shower or beyond. Maybe they wish to travel through-out their whole house using the over-head lift tracking system built into their ceiling complete with remote access!
Seek The Best Solutions
Home elevators are not as extravagant as once thought! Many are seeking solutions like this for all the ages and stages of family members and are surprised at the affordability. Having a consultant come to the home to assess the structure and provide a quote is free of charge.
The key of course, is to work with a company that has at least 10 years of experience and one that specializes in universal design. When families go with Lifeway Mobility, they get to experience experts who create designs specific to the needs of that family. We provide options without barriers. No cookie cutter approach here – it’s all about producing life changing results.
Isn’t that what it’s all about? We believe everyone has the right to be included. We are doing the unimaginable – breaking barriers and changing lives.
Lifeway Mobility announced today that it has acquired the assets of Home Mobility Solutions, Inc. (HMS), Downers Grove, IL, through its subsidiary, Extended Home Living Services, Inc (EHLS), Arlington Heights, IL.
Founded by Mike Cleary, HMS has served greater Chicagoland and northwest Indiana, offering accessibility solutions including stairlifts, wheelchair lifts, modular ramps, bathroom modifications and elevators, for over 12 years.
There are an estimated 3.3 million wheelchair users in the United States. As a result of increased awareness and new legislation, more and more travel destinations are seizing the opportunity to change their thinking about accessibility tourism. Instead of treating it as something that must be managed separately, more destinations now consider accessibility as mainstream. Along with mints on pillows and individually wrapped soaps, travelers will often also find wheelchair ramps and LU/LA elevators in many hotels.
In a 2018 study by AARP, 76% of American age 50 or older said they would like to remain in their current residence as they age. However, as dealing with daily life at home grows more challenging due to accessibility limitations, memory problems, and other issues, staying at home becomes less possible. According to the AARP survey, only 46% of older adults think they will be able to stay at home.
