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How to Optimize Accessibility and Mobility in Your Home
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By Deborah Baker
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How to Optimize Accessibility and Mobility in Your Home
1. When assistive devices are being used in the home there issometimes a problem with doorways being too narrow. Somehardware stores have hinges that allow the door to open and dropback in line with the frame and provide an extra few inches foraccess.
2. Remove the trim around the inside edge of the door from thefloor to the midway point of the frame. This will add an extrahalf inch to the door way and may be enough to allow awheelchair or walker to pass through.
3. Remove the standard door and install a bypass door onoverhead track.
4. Mount an adjustable mirror above the stove if you are in awheelchair so you can see into the pots on the stove from yourchair.
5. Take the hand rims off a wheelchair to make it just a bitnarrower.,
6. Buy a reacher to use for turning burners off and on if theyare located across the back of the stove. This is helpful forpersons in a wheelchair as well as someone with restrictedmovement in their shoulders and arms.
7. Buy a roll of that "waffle" or non skid shelf liner at thehardware or kitchen store and cut into circles that fit over jarlids. It makes opening jars and bottles easier.
8. Speciality stores sell cutlery with large handles for peoplewith arthritis or impaired use due to stroke. They areexpensive. Try wrapping your own kitchen utensils with foam pipewrap from the hardware store.
9. Another option is to buy a long handled parfait spoon andbend the handle into a loop. This allows the user to wrap theirfingers around the loop and does not require them to grip astightly.
10. Buttons on heavy winter coats can be a problem for arthriticor cold hands. Try using elastic thread on the buttons. That bitof extra give makes them easier to do up.
11. As we age our eyes take longer to adjust to the darkness.Use night lights to make nocturnal visits to the fridge orbathroom safer. Use a plastic drink glass for next to the bed orin the bathroom to eliminate the chance of cuts.
12. Make sure phones have oversize lit key pads so they can beeasily seen and used in an emergency . DO NOT program 911 intothe auto dial on the phone. If it is touched in error a callwill go out and waste valuable emergency services time andresources.
13. Phones that must be turned on or off by pushing a button area good choice. Do not place the bedroom phone on the floor nextto the bed or on a soft piece of furniture such as a chair orfootstool. This may sound logical but many a relative has beenfrantic when they could not reach Granny for hours, only todrive 50 miles and find the phone off the hook.
14. Mount battery operated lights in closets or cupboards thatdo not have lights in them. Put scarves, hats and gloves inbaskets that can be easily reached to avoid stretching to reachthe top shelf.
15. There are all sorts of gadgets out there to automate lightsindoors and out. Don't forget the exterior of your home. Besafe. Have lights on near the entrance and from the driveway tothe door. Decrease the chance of tripping. If you arrive homewith a car full of parcels wait until daylight to unload them.
16. If turning lights off or on is a problem because of stifffingers or reaching across a table or chair is required tolocate the switch, try one of the many items now available.There are peddles that can be stepped on to activate lamps andlamp bases that only need to be touched to turn on the light.
17. A tennis ball cut and slipped over a door knob also makes iteasier to grip and turn.
18. Keys with large round tops are also easier to manage. Ifpossible get new keys made with these tops. Some haverubberized, colour rims on them for easier grip andidentification on a full key chain.
20. If zippers are hard to manage add a tassel, large loop orcord so stiff fingers don't have to work so hard.
21. Mattresses and upholstered furniture should be vacuumedregularly. Dust mites live in ALL carpets and furniture, even ina clean home. They can aggravate breathing problems andallergies if not kept under control. Everyone's tolerance isdifferent.
22. Put a chair or bench close to the entrance so there is aplace to sit and remove or put on shoes. Bending over orstanding up too quickly can cause dizziness.
23. Rearrange furniture such as foot stools and side tables toallow for wider walkways and easier access with canes or walkers.
Written by Deborah Baker athttp://www.silvercross-stair-lifts.com
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