In case you or someone in your home has special needs, then there are many remodeling or redesign adjustments you can make to make life easier. With the passage of time, the demand for houses that are adapted to the special needs of people is increasing very rapidly. These modifications not only increase the value of your home but also make your life easier. Disabled or elderly people in our home may face problems with things that we may not think about. Problems can be very common, like not being able to reach a level or a thing. But this can be a very serious problem like a bad fall for those people. If we put our little effort to fix these problems and make some adjustments, it will be easier for disabled and elderly people to live their lives on their own and independently.

When adapting the home for a person with special needs or an elderly person, it is very important to keep a few things in mind.

Wheelchair accessible doors

Typically, an external door is 32 inches wide and a wheelchair is also 32 inches wide. This means that a wheelchair cannot pass through as much space and therefore we have to increase the size of the door. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the door must be 34 inches wide. But it is always better to increase it by 2 more inches and make it 36 ​​inches wide so that a wheelchair can pass easily and without any interruption. While most internal doors in a home stay between 24 and 26 inches, which means a wheelchair cannot fit through them without any modification.

To facilitate wheelchair access, the door needs to be replaced. The door should be widened and the doorknobs should be replaced with ADA approved door handles (L-shaped handles). Most restaurants install ADA-approved door handles that can be easily opened by disabled people in wheelchairs. These handles may be readily available at local hardware stores (Lowe’s, Home Depot).

Countertop Height and ease of use

It is very difficult to lower the countertops due to the backsplash and plumbing issues. But there are also some other ideas you can use to make life easier.

The best way to do this is to build an island in the center that contains a sink and countertop. The height from the floor should not be more than 34 inches (ADA approved). In case you already have one in the hub, you can easily modify it as per the requirement. You should also replace handles on cabinets and refrigerators so they can be easily opened by a person in a wheelchair.

Flooring and Floor Plan Considerations

A very important point to keep in mind is that the flooring must be made with non-slip tiles. This will help the person in the wheelchair to move freely without fear of rolling.

For the convenience of the elderly and disabled, use the grab bars along the shower and toilet. The height of the bar should be between 32 and 34 inches above the floor. You can also make use of a pedastol sink for people with special needs.

The following tips may be considered when remodeling a home for people with disabilities or special needs:

Try to use temporary ramps that lead to doors instead of permanent ramps.
When buying a house, check if the house can be easily remodeled later with minimal effort and money.

Planning for a larger bathroom will be an advantage for those with special needs. They can use it easily and comfortably if the radius of the bathroom is kept at least 5 feet.

To provide complete independence for a disabled person in a wheelchair, you can set up a room in which the height of shelves or tables is kept low.