Home Modifications
Home accessibility modifications- wow, what a mouthful! That's a long name for a very focused goal: any change, big or small, to make a living space safer and more accessible for those who want to age in place. Home modifications, also sometimes referred to as environmental modifications, don't always mean big, expensive remodeling projects. Sometimes, it's as simple as adding motion sensor lighting to poorly-lit areas of the home to help improve visual accessibility and safety. Other times, it may look like installing some simple grab bars and handrails when holding on to walls, furniture or door frames no longer feels like it's enough to prevent a fall. And yes, it can include whole-home accessibility projects where we address virtually every area in the house- creating step-free entrances and exits, building beautiful barrier-free bathrooms, changing out plush or worn flooring, widening doorways, crafting accessible kitchens, designing decks, EZ-stairs and more.
Doorway Widenings
Widening a doorway in your home might seem like a pretty straightforward task, but there's actually a lot of work and planning that goes into it. What is the type of mobility device we are needing to get through it? If the wall is structural or load bearing, additional work may be required to ensure the framing is sufficient to support the weight carried above the new opening. Are there electrical receptacles or HVAC vents in the vicinity? We may need to relocate those as well to make room for the wider door. The flooring is another thing that needs to be considered, as there will be gaps in the bottom that need to be patched or replaced with a transition of some sort. Do you have old paint that we can color match the walls after we texture and prime it following the demo and widening? Do you prefer a barn door, pocket door, traditional swing door? We also install automatic door openers that can be opened and closed with the push of a button on your key fob, or something as simple as expandable hinges to widen the doorway by just a few inches without any of the structural modifications mentioned earlier. To discuss what type of door modifications will be right for your home and mobility challenges, give us a call today to set up a free consultation.
Flooring Installation
Whether you're navigating uneven floors that are a tripping hazard or have one of the dreaded sunken living room steps, we can help find a new flooring solution that will make your home safer and more accessible. Although we are not a flooring company, we do complete a lot of flooring modifications every year to improve accessibility for members of our community. We can help you learn about the different flooring types and what options will be best for your unique needs and environment. Some things to consider when making a flooring selection to age in place:
- Type of mobility device currently and future needs: Walkers and manual wheelchairs are one thing, but power wheelchairs and motorized scooters require a different approach.
- Area of the home and landscaping outside: Flooring in different parts of the home needs to be installed appropriately for the space's function. If your mobility device will be used indoors and outdoors, getting a flooring material that is durable and easy to maintain is important
- Other occupants in the home: It's important to consider everyone in the home! Sometimes pets can slip on hard surface flooring because of the fur in their paws, so adding in a texture or grip strips can help them to remain safe as well.
EZ Steps
Does the thought of installing a wheelchair ramp give you the heebie jeebies since you're not even in a wheelchair yet? Well, we can take "baby steps" to help get you to where you want to be! Low rise, deep tread stairs are called EZ-Steps, or Easy Stairs. They typically have half the rise of a standard stair (3.5-4" instead of 7" high), and are about twice as deep. We like to build ours with a tread depth of at least 22" so that a standard folding walker can fit on top of each one. Handrails can give added strength and stability to the structure, as well as providing additional places to hold on to. EZ Steps can be installed inside a garage, off an existing wooden deck or on top of a concrete patio or walkway. This is a good interim solution for people who aren't using any sort of wheeled mobility aids, and can be functional for a very long time until the need for an actual ramp comes along.
Sensory Swings and Padded Walls
Many families are surprised to learn that there's actually a company out there who has experience designing, building and installing therapeutic play rooms with sensory swings and padded walls to help mitigate the risk of injury with certain behaviors. Wall pads can be installed in just about any room and come in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, colors and levels of permanence. They are typically backed with 1/2" plywood with a durable vinyl outer layer protecting the 2" internal foam padding. They will either attach to the wall with velcro or by being screwed into the studs behind. And don't worry- you won't lose access to your light switches, outlets or wall vents either. Sensory swings are more than just an I-bolt screwed (hopefully) into a ceiling joist. We like to span several joists and provide numerous connection points for different swing attachments. Our mounting hardware features frictionless swivel attachments and can be designed to blend into your home's aesthetics.