Adapting Your Home for a Disability

Adapting Your Home for a Disability

by Daniel Bell

Living with a disability can be tough, but it’s made easier if you can adapt the world around you. Although you don’t have much control over things in public, you can have the final say on your home. Properties often need adapting to a certain extent if you want to make them more comfortable. Both small and larger changes can make a huge difference to how you can care for yourself and have others help you. Adaptations can range from making permanent changes to the property to adding useful tools that you can carry with you anywhere. If you want to make your home more comfortable, here are some of the things you can do.adapting

Funding the Changes

Before you get started on any adaptations, you need to be able to afford it. Many people can be worried about the costs of making changes to their home. However, there are ways to make sure you can afford it. Firstly, you should consider looking for funding programs. One of the places you can try is your local Center for Independent Living. Many of them can provide help with the costs of adapting your home. Medicare will pay for medical equipment for those over age 65. Meanwhile, the Federal Housing Association has loan guarantee programs that could help you.

Consider Your Needs

Before you start making any changes, you need to sit down and think about your needs. It’s also important to consider how to fit them with the needs of anyone you live with. For example, you might need a lower kitchen counter for using from a wheelchair. Will you have one separate space you can use, or invest in counters that can move up and down? Think about the things you struggle with, and the small and large ways you could improve your daily routine. It doesn’t have to be anything huge. Sometimes, just the small changes can make a significant difference.

Buying the Right Equipment

Some of the changes you want to make might just involve buying new furniture or tools to make your life easier. Getting the right products isn’t always easy, especially if you want value for money and perhaps something that looks stylish too. The best way to make sure you find what’s right for you, especially with furniture, is to see it in person. Make some time to visit a care equipment showroom so you can look at the products on offer. You can try them out and do essential things like checking if the height of seating is right for you.

Making Home Improvements

Sometimes you need to make some adaptations to your property itself. It could be as simple as putting some grab bars in the bathroom or other key places. But some adjustments will require more work. You might need to install a new bath or even widen your doorways. Some of these things will only take a few hours or a day at most. But make sure you plan for them in advance, so you have them done at a convenient time.

Making adaptations to your home can feel like a disruption to your life, but ultimately helps to make things easier. Try to look for ways you can make changes, while still feeling at home.

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