When diagnosed with a disability that requires a wheelchair, it can be amazing to discover how many adjustments you need to make in your life in order to still do the everyday things you need to do. One of the biggest areas of adjustment can come in the new need for accessibility in your home, but how do you know what you need to do in order to make your home more wheelchair-friendly without building an entirely new house? If you're looking for tips on customizing your preexisting home for your new wheelchair, then here's what you need to know.
Wide Doorways
You may not realize it until you bring your new chair home, but doorways of standard size don't really allow a wheelchair to pass through easily. Usually measuring from 23 to 27 inches wide, chances are your home's many doorways won't fit a wheelchair comfortably (or even non-comfortably), as wheelchairs generally need doorways measuring 32 inches across. Thankfully, widening a doorway is relatively easy for a contractor to do with minimal disruption to the rest of your home's structure – which is a good thing, considering you'd be stuck outside the rooms in your household otherwise.
Stair Lift
Building a one-level home would mitigate the problem of stairs, but with that expensive option not being on the table, your best bet is to install a stair lift that can take you from one level to another with minimal trouble. A stair lift is simply a motorized chair that can be installed on a preexisting staircase, no matter if it's straight or curved, that moves you from one end of the staircase to the other. While this does necessitate keeping an extra wheelchair in the top level of your home to lift yourself into, lift chairs free you to use the whole of your house, rather than being stuck on one level.
Handholds
Of course, for the times you need to get in and out of your wheelchair, you may need a bit of help. But if you don't want to (or can't) rely on someone to help you, it's a good idea to install grab bars in strategic places in your home to give you the leverage and balance to lift yourself in and out. Good places for these grab bars are your shower and/or bath, next to your toilet, beside your bed, and at the top and bottom of your stairs (if you choose to install a stair lift). There's no wrong place for a grab bar, and if you find yourself struggling in your first week or two in specific locations, you'll probably find a grab bar in those places to be helpful in allowing yourself to be self-sufficient.
Remember
There's really no wrong way to customize your home for your new chair, as each person's strengths and house are different. You may want to experiment getting around your home with a trusted friend or family member so you know exactly what areas you need to adjust for your personal comfort.
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