With the low rates of new home construction, most people are living in older houses. Whether they’ve recently purchased or have been in the same home for years, chances are good the structure has been around a while. Many of these houses were built when doorways were narrower, the floorplan was split level, and pathways weren’t designed with accessibility in mind. Stairs at entryways didn’t have the wide, shallow nature modern designs incorporate, leaving a steep and high barrier to entry. Bathrooms were tight, leaving little to no space for wheelchairs or caregivers to maneuver. Thankfully, there are ways to retrofit older homes to better accommodate accessibility for those with limited mobility. We’ll discuss how to assess your home and identify the need for accessibility modifications, such as aluminum ramps, as well as help educate you on the available options.
Common Accessibility Barriers in Older Homes
The first step toward improving the navigation and accessibility of a house is to review the current layout and identify any barriers. Hindrances to mobility will vary by house and by the person’s individual abilities or needs. Common barriers include:
- Stairs to Enter or Exit – For those in wheelchairs or using a walker, stairs create a near-impossible obstacle to overcome. Even one or two steps can be a problem for those using assistive devices. Old homes may also have stairs that are higher than the current standard, making navigation even harder.
- Doorways – Front, back, and interior doors can have a threshold that is raised compared to the adjoining floor. This ledge or lip creates a potential trip hazard and could make it difficult to get a mobility device across it.
- Unlevel Interior Rooms – Older homes sometimes have a sunken or raised room in relation to the rest of the floor plan. For example, if there is a step down into the living room, this presents a major barrier for those with limited mobility.
- Narrow Doorways – If a bedroom, bathroom, or other section of the home has a doorway that isn’t wide enough to accommodate a walker or wheelchair passing through, residents may not be able to safely get out of bedrooms, into bathrooms, or access other sections of the home.
- Limited Bathroom Space – Older homes tend to have closely packed bathrooms that leave little room to maneuver. This creates difficulty in safely accessing toilets and showers as there may not be enough room for a mobility device or for a caregiver to accompany.
- Low Toilets – The lower the surface, the harder it is to stand up from a sitting position, and toilets are no different. Until the last couple of decades, tall toilets were not common, and even now are not always used in newer construction. This can create issues for individuals with limited mobility, especially if they live alone.
Assess Accessibility in Your Home
Carefully inspecting your home allows you to identify which common mobility barriers are present and helps with preparations to fix them. Selecting the right wheelchair ramp or other equipment may require careful measurements and planning. Here are some things to do and consider when trying to plan for improving accessibility in your home:
- Go Room by Room – Start in one room of the house and identify anything that may pose a problem. Are there unlevel spaces? Will the doorways allow enough room for someone to pass through with their mobility device? Don’t forget to look at pathways within the room; are there items such as throw rugs that could pose a fall risk? Is there enough space to maneuver with an assistive device? Do this for each room of the home, carefully considering what issues someone could face. Keep a running list of anything identified so that you don’t forget everything you come across. This is useful later when deciding how to retrofit the home.
- Check Entries and Exits – Getting in and out of the home is often a significant problem when it comes to mobility. Most houses have at least a few stairs at exterior doorways leading to a porch or entrance, making this one of the most common retrofitting projects.
- Determine What Can Be Changed – It’s possible not every part of the home can be changed. There could be structural aspects that limit options, or you may be in a situation such as renting that prohibits more permanent changes. Look toward temporary options, consult a contractor, or work with your landlord as needed.
- Take Measurements – As you identify elements in the home that will need to be addressed for accessibility, take measurements. Knowing exact numbers will make the selection process for accessibility equipment easier, as not all products can accommodate all scenarios. Having measurements handy will narrow down your options and ensure you pick the right ones from the start.
Equipment Options for Retrofitting Your Home
Home accessibility modifications range in degrees of difficulty, cost, and effort to implement. Here are some different forms of equipment that can help make the changes easier:
- Threshold Ramps – For doorways or rooms that aren’t level, transition pieces can help create a gentle slope to overcome these barriers. EZ-ACCESS® has several options that bridge these gaps, connecting low and high points in the home. Our TRANSITIONS® Angled Entry Ramp has adjustable legs, reaching as high as 5.875”, while the TRANSITIONS® Modular Entry Ramp can accommodate up to 6.25” heights. Both are made of aluminum and are simple to install, improving accessibility with minimal time. For doorways with height differences of 2.5” or less, the TRANSITIONS® Angled Entry Mat is made of recycled rubber, requiring no more effort than it would take to replace a doormat!
- Residential Ramps – Overcoming the barrier of stairs to get into or out of a home can be a daunting task. Modular systems allow you to transform accessibility through customizable configurations of prefabricated pieces. The PATHWAY® 3G Modular Access System is our aluminum residential ramp gold standard. With customization achievable through adjustable legs, endless combinations of pieces, and the support of our Customer Service team, any steps can be easily overcome. The durable aluminum is ideal for an outdoor ramp, boasting corrosion resistance and the ability to withstand weather for years. As a prefabricated system, much of the build is done before it’s even delivered, leaving little installation work. Considered a permanent ramp, it is relatively easy to disassemble in case of a move. If you’re looking for something more temporary, there are several portable access ramp options from EZ-ACCESS. The GATEWAY® 3G Solid Surface Portable Ramp is easy to move as needed but retains durability and stability. It includes handrails to provide the user with extra support and safety. Coming in lengths ranging from 3’ to 10’, the GATEWAY 3G will accommodate rises as high as 15” when using the longest version. For even more portability, EZ-ACCESS has several folding ramps that provide temporary access options that can be used in multiple locations. The SUITCASE® line is great for retrofitting older homes with accessibility for temporary or short-term situations.
- Toilet Lifts – Even if you replace a low toilet with a higher seat, the work and cost could be extensive while not fully solving the mobility limitation. That’s where the TILT® Toilet Incline Lift comes in! With installation in as little as 15 minutes and compatibility with a wide variety of toilets, the TILT Toilet Incline Lift makes rising from the toilet safe and secure. With arms that lower below the seat height, it can be used for easy lateral transfers, including slide board transfers, for those in wheelchairs. This solution can help caregivers reduce the physical strain of toilet transfers as well.
- Bathing Alternatives – Sometimes, small bathrooms simply don’t have space for access without a major renovation. Consider something that brings the shower to you instead! One of the first solutions EZ-ACCESS ever created was the EZ-BATHE® Body Washing Basin. This inflatable bathing solution can be rolled under someone in bed and is then pumped with air to create a tub around them. The ability to experience a bath or shower without the obstacles of a bathroom brings accessibility directly to someone in need. Combined with other solutions like the EZ-SHOWER, which provides a portable stream of water, what was once impossible is now easy.
Partnering With EZ-ACCESS to Make Your Home Accessible
Homes old and new may need solutions for accessibility, and that’s our specialty. Permanent or temporary, our passion is providing solutions that make mobility easier for all. Whether you’re replacing an existing access solution or starting from square one, our Customer Service team will guide you along the way. As experts in the products, they’ll listen to your story and connect you with exactly what you need. Make accessibility a mainstay in your home when you work with EZ-ACCESS!
