Tips and Tricks: Home Accessibility
Home is more than just a place. It's a haven that reflects our identity, personality, and lifestyle. For those of us with mobility challenges (now or fairly certain in our future), special care can help create an accessible home environment that isn't just about ramps and widened doorways but also about fostering independence, comfort, and emotional well-being.
I want to open my own jars and pour my own coffee, and I have a harder time with these small tasks every month. So I am working to find ways to keep my independence, continue to feel safe and comfortable in my own home, and plan for the future in reasonable ways.
For anyone thinking about the accessibility of their home, a thorough assessment of the space is a good place to start. Evaluate entrances, hallways, doorways, thresholds, transitions in flooring, and other details of rooms to identify potential barriers. This will lay the foundation for your accessibility map. Take pictures where necessary and involve professionals who can provide valuable insights into modifications needed. In many communities, organizations exist to help folks with home accessibility issues who might not be able to afford consultation otherwise. Do an Internet search to find resources in your area.
Our home was built with accessibility in mind, so we did not find any needed big architectural changes. We rearranged furniture here and there and changed out fixtures to create more space and ensure easy use. We still need to invest in adjustable-height furniture that accommodates varying needs. We assessed throw rugs and picked up those that could be trip hazards. Others will be discarded as needed, but for sure before they actually trip me.
The first time I could not open our front door after a walk, I cried. Luckily, I walked with a friend who opened it for me. My husband immediately changed out the door knob and made it one I could use with my elbow if necessary. It’s a small change but a profound one, as being able to enter and exit one’s own home is important, not only for safety but for mental health as well. I was devastated, but seeing how easy it was to make the necessary adjustment gave me confidence.
Assistive technology has come a long way over recent years. While I’m still not comfortable with it, I see that it is a resource for me. There are smart home devices, voice-controlled assistants, and voice-to-text apps. So far, I’ve only incorporated a robot vacuum that I named Gertie (more about her in another post).
I think I’ll probably consider a porch camera system so that I can speak to people at the front door without getting up on those days when mobility is especially bad and moving some of my in-person errands online, so I do not have to worry about driving, parking, and accessibility issues at the various places I need to go.
There are other small things that we’ve done, which add up to making things easier for me in a variety of ways. Grab bars in the bathrooms are important (including in the guest bath, which is an accessibility issue for loved ones and visitors that we now have handled). I have a long-handled shoe horn and a long-handled picker-upper in case things fall into places that are hard to retrieve.
Mobility aids enable you to navigate your home with ease. The hard part is knowing when you might need them.
I have been collaborating with healthcare professionals to identify aids tailored to my needs. I’ve researched what I might need in the future and have even found some interesting alternatives, like single trekking poles made specifically for walking. These work like canes but are collapsable for easy carrying and, if this is important to someone, look a bit more like outdoor adventure equipment.
I am finding that creating an accessible home environment isn't just a physical journey—it's a deeply emotional one. Some of this transition evokes feelings of loss and change. I have had to acknowledge these emotions and seek support from loved ones, support groups, or professionals. I try to surround myself with positivity and remind myself that our home is evolving, not diminishing.
There are many resources for folks with IBM and those who love them to find tips and hints and other support. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel or try to come up with every single answer on our own. Ask others on the Myositis website for ideas and check out Facebook. We want everyone to get the benefit of what we have learned.
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
This blog post is based on personal experiences and is not meant to provide medical advice.
Always consult your healthcare professional for personalized guidance on your health journey.
