Four Important Handicap Accessible Features in a Home

 

Looking at potential homes for rent can be difficult when mobility is an issue. Approximately 6.8 million Americans use assistive devices to aid their mobility. Two story houses or houses with numerous front stairs can be impossible to those that rely on mobility devices. Fortunately, with handicap accessible laws, there are living arrangements that fit your mobility needs. These handicap laws ensure that mobility is both simple and safe. A mobility friendly property might include the following amenities.

Wide hallways and open rooms
Wide hallways and open rooms are necessary to meet mobility accessibility standards. Many handicap accessible laws require that seniors with mobility devices, especially wheelchairs, can easily get from one room to another. For easy transportation, this requires wide hallways and open rooms that are not blocked with furniture or walls. Even bathrooms should be wide enough to use a wheelchair or any other type of mobility device. Each year, nearly 235,000 people experience injuries in the bathroom, according to the CDC. With more room, renters can reduce their bathroom risk.

Easy entrance and exit
Most handicap accessible laws require that a renter has easy entrance and exit ability. If a housing emergency occurs, they can quickly get out of the house. If there are numerous steps on the exterior, it can be difficult to maneuver for someone in a wheelchair or with a walking cane. Some handicap accessible houses will have handicap door opener buttons. Although this is useful for everyday use, it is not practical in an emergency. There still needs to be a way to quickly exit the house, in the event that the electric does not work.

The ability to move between floors
Most handicapped accessible homes will be designed on one level. However, you will find some houses that are designed over different levels and the majority of these houses will have some type of chair lifts for home. These elderly lift assist devices are automated and easily move both the senior and the mobility device up and down the stairs. It is still important to have alternative movement options, again, in the event of an emergency. But, electric wheelchair lifts can be a great solution for seniors wanting to either stay in their current residences or live in a home that has numerous levels.

Cleaning and house maintenance ability
Mobility issues can also affect a senior?s ability to keep up with cleaning and house maintenance tasks. According to AARP and the National Conference of State Legislatures, 90% of people over the age of 65 want to live in their home as long as they can. This means improving mobility and the ability to do everyday tasks, in the current household setting. With mobility lifts and easily accessible hallways and rooms, seniors can still keep up with everyday household tasks. It can also be helpful to have the majority of the daily living tasks set on the same floor. Seniors that find it difficult to keep up with these tasks, but want to stay in their home, can also consider senior home assistance services.

Handicap accessible laws give seniors and others with mobility issues a safe residence. If you are in the market for a new house, you will want to keep mobility in mind. The most important factors in terms of mobility are safety and easy accessibility. It is also important to choose a residence that you are able to quickly get in and out of, in the event of an emergency.