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Accessible Design's Top Ten
Challenges to Home Safety
SoCal Homecare
Volume 9 - Issue 4
December 2003
http://www.socalhomecare.com
Many times we are faced with the challenges of our loved one's safety. We think nothing of paying insurance premiums for our car, home and even healthcare. However, we need to go a step further to insure the safety of our health within the walls of our own homes. Here is where most slip and fall accidents are most likely to occur.
Read on for some helpful tips that can prevent accidents and possibly even save your life!
Challenge #1: Difficulty getting in and out of a car
Accessible Design Remedy: A Handybar fits into the locking mechanism of most cars and acts as a lever to push down on when getting in or out of a car. (At $40.00 each these come in real handy for stocking stuffers)
Challenge #2: Walkway to home has steps making it difficult to enter with wheelchair or walker
Accessible Design Remedy: A portable suitcase ramp ranging from 2 to 10 feet in length can be an option. Other custom ramps with handrails can be permanently installed in wood, concrete or aluminum.
A porchlift is an option when a ramp would be too steep or a second story is on the house.
Challenge #3: Doorways are too narrow to enter with walker and wheelchair
Accessible Design Remedy: Swing-away hinges are both inexpensive and easy to install on any door. You can gain two full inches of doorway width to allow wheelchairs and walkers to move safely through without scraping walls or knuckles!
Challenge #4: Difficulty getting up from a seated position from a couch or chair
Accessible Design Remedy: Furniture risers can lift the back of a couch up 2-4 inches and aides a person to get up easier.
Reclining lift chairs can move a person from a reclining position to an almost standing position with the touch of a button.
A hydraulic seat assist can be used anywhere...it's portable!
Challenge #5: Getting out of bed is harder than you thought
Accessible Design Remedy: A bed caddie attaches easily between the mattress and box spring of any bed making it effortless to pull up on the stretchy ladder.
A bed rail that pivots out to become a cane can aide a person to get out of bed and transfer to a walker or wheelchair with ease.
Challenge #6: Bathing is the tub has become too difficult and dangerous
Accessible Design Remedy: A simple bathtub bar can be clamped on to the tub and is completely portable.
An electric bath lift can be an option for anyone who is non-ambulatory and makes easy transfers to and from a wheelchair.
Challenge #7: Stepping into the shower becomes too dangerous
Accessible Design Remedy: Floating up the floor of a shower with a durable plastic platform and plastic entry ramp can solve this challenge and give you peace of mind (and body)
Placing two grab bars horizontally and vertically in the shower can provide good leverage and prevent a slip and fall accident.
Challenge #8: Toilet is too low and there is difficulty in getting up and/or transferring
Accessible Design Remedy: A simple toilet spacer installed at the base of the toilet can elevate the entire toilet a full 3 _ inches making it even with a wheelchair for an easier transfer. A diagonal grab bar or pull-down grab bar can be installed on the side wall near the toilet for additional leverage.
Challenge #9: Climbing stairs is nearly impossible
Accessible Design Remedy: Stair climbers can be easily installed and can make the second story a breeze to get to.
Challenge #10: Shop till you don't drop!
Accessible Design Remedy: Portable scooters are easy to handle and can give you the freedom to go,go,go. Great for indoor or outdoor use and they will give you approximately 10 miles to a single charge!
Accessible Design & Consulting is California's leading Barrier-Free Specialist. We specialize in providing elegant residential and commercial barrier-free designs and accessories for seniors and people with disabilities. We are conveniently located in Santa Monica just off the 10 freeway. Please visit us at our Grand Opening celebration on December 11th from 4pm to 8pm (area professionals only), or on December 13th and 14th from 11am to 5pm (General Public).
Accessible Design & Consulting, Inc.
1623 Stanford Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-998-8400
http://www.AccessibleConstruction.com
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