Tips For Making Your Home Wheelchair Friendly

A woman prepares breakfast in a handicap accessible kitchen.

Leaving the hospital after a spinal injury is momentous and overwhelming. Retrofitting your home and adapting to your new way of life is daunting, but we’ve compiled several tips to help you navigate these changes. These tips can help you modify your current surroundings or aid you in your search for a new home. Of course, please speak with medical staff and seek professional opinions when planning large-scale renovations to your home.

There are several quick adjustments you can make in the home to make it more wheelchair accessible. Portable ramps can be purchased until permanent ramps are installed. If possible, a friend or family member can assemble and install these ramps in the home before you are discharged from the hospital or rehabilitation center. Constructing permanent ramps is costly, but if constructed well, they can offer ease and accessibility for years. When surveying your home, remember that thresholds and outdoor entrances may need ramps too.  

Another simple and cost-effective way to make your home more wheelchair accessible is by rearranging furniture. Cumbersome couches and bulky dining room sets can drastically alter the available space in your home. Most wheelchairs range from 24 to 34 inches in width, but this can vary depending on the type of wheelchair you or your loved one will be using. Keeping width in mind, take a measuring tape and move through the home. Downsizing or removing bulky furniture can open up your living space, allowing for easy movement and increased accessibility throughout your home.

Flooring is important when making necessary adjustments to your home. A carpet that is too thick can make it difficult for a wheelchair to move across. Rugs can also become cumbersome and create a tipping hazard if the corners become bunched or rumpled. Level hardwood, tile, or vinyl options make movement easier and safer. While ripping up and replacing flooring may not be ideal, in the long run, it can save wheelchair users a lot of hassle and potential injury.

A bathtub outfitted with handrails to make transferring easier.

Handrails are a necessary modification to make the home that much safer. Bathrooms are an ideal location for handrail installation, but they can be used anywhere within your home to help with transferring to and from your wheelchair more easily. Bathtubs or showers outfitted with shower chairs can always benefit from the addition of handrails. Placing handrails near the toilet or bedside can aid in independent mobility.

Countertops in the bathroom and kitchen can be lowered to enhance accessibility in your space. Keep the dimensions of your wheelchair in mind when conducting these renovations. Name-brand stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s carry ADA-approved appliances, ensuring you or your loved one can easily access the stove, refrigerator, sink, and dishwasher.

You can never prepare for a spinal injury or how it will change your day-to-day life. Renovations and installations take time, preparation, and financial planning. While this transition will, of course, be stressful, we hope that the information we’ve provided can help you create a checklist and jumpstart your brainstorming session. Remember that it may take time and additional research, but you or your loved one deserves a home where they can be independent and comfortable.