Planning Ahead

It’s always a good, no – make that a great idea – to plan ahead when doing most anything. My thought in this edition though is for building or buying a home when people with disabilities and the elderly are involved – especially with arthritis. What’s described below is not consistently true, but it’s a good rule to follow.

In 1994 we decided to build a 1600 sq. ft. home. Being in a wheelchair for 23 years at that time, I knew very well what I wanted to include and what things to avoid. Obviously, stairs, steps and a wheelchair do not mix. That meant either build on a concrete slab or be prepared to build a ramp. Next, we wanted the home easy to navigate. We made all our doorways 3 feet wide. The only exceptions were linen closets, broom closets and the like. In our hallway, we added another 6 inches (42” total) so that the turning radius into any room was adequate without scuffing or tearing off trim and molding. One bathroom had a roll-in shower with a handheld shower head.     

Now, what I’ve said so far may not sound like any big deal. But what a few “able-bodied” people have commented on when they come to visit is “your home is so spacious. I don’t feel cramped at all.” “You have so much room.” Even the people who make deliveries comment on the width of the doors making it much easier to bring in furniture and appliances.

These are just a few ideas that can make life easier for those of us who have trouble getting around. Think of these when building or look for them when buying. For more ideas request our free brochure, “Making Your Home User Friendly,” by calling us at 1-888-503-7955 or email us at info@maysmission.org today. We are all aging one day at a time. Looking ahead and planning when making one of the biggest investments of our lives may be the best thing we’ve ever done!

And if you have any experience with this subject please feel free to share in the comments section. Thanks!