Making your home accessible for family members of all ages and abilities is becoming increasingly important. With people living longer and more generations living under one roof, ensuring your home accommodates everyone’s needs is key to maintaining harmony and enabling independence. Whether you have young children, teenagers, parents or grandparents living with you, a few simple changes can make daily life easier for the whole household. Read on for five tips to make your home inclusive for all generations.
Making Entrances Accessible
Installing ramps or lifts at entrances makes coming and going easier for those with mobility limitations. Ramps should have a gentle slope and non-slip surface. Level thresholds at doors remove tripping hazards. Adding lever-style handles and low-turn locks simplifies opening doors for arthritic hands or little ones. Proper lighting inside and out improves safety and visibility. These entrance modifications help family members of all ages safely access your home.
Improving Interior Navigation
Wide hallways and doorways, a minimum of 800mm wide, allow wheelchairs and walkers to pass through easily. Remove or relocate furnishings blocking paths of travel. Install grab bars and handrails on both sides of stairways for support and install chair lifts if stairs are challenging. Large print signs can help guide visually impaired family members. Such interior changes make moving about simpler for both older relatives and young children.
Ensuring Accessible Bedrooms
Making bedrooms accessible is vital for restful sleep and increased independence. Install bed raisers to adjust the height for easier standing. Bed rails provide stability for getting in and out. Place lamps, phones and remotes within reach for bed use. Rearrange furnishings for clear pathways and wheelchair access. Use closed captioning and visual alerts for hearing limitations. Safety gates on stairs prevent falls.
While creating accessible bedrooms is important for all families, it is especially important for foster carers who welcome foster children into their homes. When signing up to become foster carers, carers can choose from the different types of foster care they prefer, like short-term or disability fostering. However, preparing the home for children of all ages and capabilities is advisable. Focusing on accessibility conveys that each person is valued and supported.
Adapting Bathrooms
Install grab bars, seats and lever faucets in showers and tubs for safety. Mount toilets at wheelchair height with grab bars nearby. Use walk-in showers with seats and anti-slip floors. Add a handheld shower head for bathing flexibility. Install rain-head showers adjustable to different heights. Place non-slip mats in baths and showers. Making bathrooms accessible in these ways prevents falls and enables independence for family members with age or disability-related needs.
Adapting Kitchens
Lower countertops and pull-out shelves increase workspace accessibility from a seated position. Lazy susans and drawer organisers reduce the need to reach. Install lever faucets and towel bars within easy reach. Use open cabinets with easy-grasp handles for accessible storage. Front-loading ovens, microwaves, and dishwashers simplify access. Adjustable height tables enable everyone to participate in meal preparation and clean up. Adaptable kitchens allow family cooks of all ages and mobility to work safely.
With some thoughtful changes, you can make your family home welcoming and easy to navigate for everyone. Focus on improving accessibility at entrances, within main living spaces, and in bedrooms and bathrooms. Simple home modifications enable generations to live together comfortably while retaining independence. Most importantly, enhancing accessibility conveys that every family member is valued.
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