Any ideas to make our home more handicap friendly?

Jessie Oliver
by Jessie Oliver
My wife and I have limited mobility due to polio and ageing. We are seeking ideas which are inexpensive and yet offer a pleasing enviroment. We alread have raised toilets but are needing ideas to get into the bath and through the home. Our income is fixed and do not foresee any additional funds coming in. We like your site and would love to see improvement ideas with less money. J & N.

  6 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 09, 2018

    many will offer used items on Craigs kist or check local senior centers.

  • Contact your local Department on Aging.


    http://ldh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/subhome/12


    Here are ADA requirements:


    http://www.adabathroom.com/


    https://www.ada.gov/


    There are services out there to help you for free or for very low cost.

  • Laura Cooper Laura Cooper on Mar 09, 2018

    There should be a durable medical equipment lending closet in your area. Check with disabled resource services. They will have bath and shower equipment for long term loan

  • Mil Mil on Mar 09, 2018

    A home visit by an certified occupational therapist should help. This is the most qualified professional to help you. This is what they do in the "home health" aspect of their applied skills. They should not be selling products nor be an agent for products. I am not up-to-date on the particulars of Medicare, but I think a short-term visit might be available ( even if not post-hospitalization), and even if not Medicare. It is not impossible. Maybe a one-time referral. Might not be totally free. They can, for example, help with setting up your kitchen to be more accessible, or suggestions for that. There are things like door hinges that allow the door to move out of the door jam allowing for a wider space for better wheelchair access. I hope someone else has more specific answers, such as for a better shower hose. I went the inexpensive way about $15 @ Walmart, but there are ones that slide down to chair level. I could get several more long "S" hooks and extend the level of the shower hose down so it is not over my head. (Hanging the hose in the "S" hook. I hope you get better answers!

  • DD DD on Mar 09, 2018

    I agree with the above answers as to looking for assistance but thought I would give you information on what I used for my mother to help her in and out of the tub

    Drive Medical Folding Universal Sliding Transfer Bench

    and had this installed on the existing shower head to make it easier to access while sitting in the tub

    Rinse Ace Assisted Bather, White