Projects Ideas - Helping Elderly and Physically Challenged

Widen doorways to allow wheelchairs to pass.

Current building codes and laws allow builders to construct new homes with very narrow doorways. All of this seems fine until someone either ages or has an accident at any age! Even a 20 year old may be forced to use a cast or wheelchair for 6 months or more after an injury. Depending on the location, some doorways are fairly inexpensive to widen. A load-bearing doorway can also be widened, but will cost more.

Add ramp to eliminate problems with steps.

Please see the above link for a page with more detail. There are often severe medical problems after an elderly person breaks a bone.

Add handrails to bathrooms.

This is not only a safety issue, but is also a comfort item. Handrails boost independence and confidence.

Change faucets from round knobs to easier to use handles.

Arthritis and hand weakness make round handles hard to turn.

Change from round doorknobs to easier to use handles.

Arthritis and hand weakness make round handles hard to turn.

Repair hard to open gates in fences.

Sagged gates often require lifting to open, these are usually easy to fix.

Add second gate to fence to reduce walking distances.

Install taller toilet to help make sitting down and standing up easier.

Install sinks that allow wheelchair access in bathrooms.

Replace regular carpeting that slows wheelchairs and walkers with suitable flooring.

Commercial grades of carpeting are very low cut. Wood and laminate floors are low friction.