Planning To Stay Put? 4 Mobility Aids To Help Your Home Adapt To Your Changing Needs

Aging can add a whole new dimension your life. Things that used to be simple become more difficult as you age. This is particularly true when it comes to navigating through your home. If you plan on aging in place, meaning you plan on staying in your present home for as long as possible, you're going to need your home to adapt to your changing needs. Here are four steps you can take to make sure your home is prepared for you to age in place.

Easy Access Showers

Aging can make mobility more difficult. When that happens, something as simple as stepping into your shower can be next to impossible. Easy access shower stalls will alleviate the problem and make it safer for you to access the shower. Easy access stalls do not have a step – or curb – that requires you to step over. Instead, the bathroom floor will transition right to the shower stall. If you choose to have an easy access shower stall installed in your home, you'll need to have a contractor take care of the construction for you. It will require floor drainage and appropriate slope to prevent bathroom flooding.

Walk-In Tubs

If you enjoy soaking in a bathtub, but worry about your safety once you're no longer able to step over the side of the tub, a walk-in tub may be the best option for you. A walk-in tub is a self-contained bathtub unit that allow you to open a door to access the tub. These tubs have a built-in bench that allows you to sit down comfortably to bathe. The doors form a water-tight seal once they're closed, which means you'll be able to soak in the tub without worrying about leaks. Walk-in tubs require professional installation but they can fit into most bathrooms.

Elevated Toilets

Arthritis can make it difficult to use a standard height toilet. That's where an elevated toilet comes in. Elevated toilets will fit into the same bathroom space as a standard toilet. However, they sit several inches higher than your standard toilet seat, which can make it easier for you to sit down and stand up for use.

Grab Bars

While you're updating your home for aging in place, you'll want to remember grab bars. Grab bars will allow you to gain leverage when standing up from the toilet or stepping into the shower. Be sure to have them reinforced when they're installed, or they may give way when you place weight on them.

If you want to remain in your present home for as long as possible, you need to make sure it's ready to adapt to your needs. Use the tips provided here to help you prepare for your changing mobility needs. For more information about your options, contact a company like Twin City Stair Lifts.