Trouble Getting Around? Improve Your Mobility With These Easy And Inexpensive Home Upgrades

Nearly 7 million people in the United States have difficulty doing everyday tasks, such as bathing, cooking and walking due to some sort of disability. Wheelchairs, scooters, walkers and canes help people facing challenges live a more active and rewarding life. But, in many cases, their homes are working against them. Step-ups, narrow doors and slick flooring make mobility difficult even with the best of equipment. 

Making a home accessible is expensive. An entrance ramp alone can cost up to $15,000. And the cost to remodel a kitchen, widen doorways and add a stair lift can tack on tens of thousands of more dollars. Fortunately, there are a few inexpensive fixes that can make getting around your home easier. 

Portable Ramps

If you can't afford to have ramps built throughout your house wherever there is a step-up, you can purchase portable transition ramps. These are sturdy structures that you simply place next to the threshold, bump or step that is giving you trouble. Ramps are not only fairly inexpensive, they can go with you wherever you go, which is perfect if you rent or travel a lot. 

Door Handles

Sometimes it's not possible to widen a doorway to accommodate your mobility aid. If you're facing this challenge, you may be able to widen your door by up to 2 inches by installing offset hinges. You can also change out your doorknobs with grab bars to make getting through the door easier if you have to do it by foot. Grab bars are fairly inexpensive. Widening a doorway, however, can cost up to $1,000. 

Safety Treads

Placing safety treads and/or tape on your stairs, in your shower and on other slick surfaces is an easy and inexpensive way to prevent slips and falls. If you rent your home, be sure to look for removable options so you don't damage the surfaces of the house. 

Kitchen Cabinets

If you can't afford to lower your cabinets, you might be able to make them more accessible to you when you're in your wheelchair or scooter. For example, you can replace your cabinet hinges with ones that allow you to open the doors much wider to account for a wheelchair. Another great idea to make kitchen cabinets more accessible costs absolutely nothing. Arrange your cabinets in such a way that the things you use most often are in the lower cabinets.

As you can see, there are several inexpensive ways that you can make your home more. You can also talk to your doctor about mobility aids that might be more suited to your living conditions like stairway lifts. 

For more information, contact a professional like Twin City Stair Lifts.

Share