When choosing your living room furniture design, you will come across a mind-boggling number of options, but unfortunately not all of them can be accessible for physically challenged individuals.
As members of the family go through aging, infirmity or have specific needs, you might consider some small changes that can bring more confidence to them, or even delay assisted living.
Mobility problems can cause known issues like injuries, but you also want more than to just to prevent accidents, you want your family and guests to feel safe and eliminate any possible fear of falling.
Accessibility
First you have to consider how people will get in and out of the room. A person who is using a wheelchair or is dependent on a cane or a walker will not be able to gain access to the room without a ramp. Whether or not they are in a wheelchair, make sure they can get from one floor of the house to another. You can make this easier with the insertion of handrails as well.
Furniture
When looking for furniture, try finding chairs and sofas that are adjustable. Recliners are simple to use and enable disabled people or the elderly to relax in the most comfortable position for their condition. They also come in many designs and can meet the decorative elements of the rest of your home. Many people think that their home decor might be compromised when they purchase this type of furniture. That is not true because most good manufacturers offer them without sacrificing style.
Design
A good example of how you can have the best of both worlds is using door knobs like the SOSS UltraLatch. These doorknobs actually have no knobs, allowing you to open doors with only one touch; benefiting anyone with limited hand motion or arthritis. They also are available in many finishes, meeting the style of your door and your room.
In the end, it all comes down to considering how you can make your room more accessible. You can widen doors for wheelchair access and install things like light switches, door handles, door bells and electric sockets at waist height. These are good examples of small improvements you can make, without giving up design.
If you are interested in making bigger improvements, you may also consider consulting an occupational therapist. They will assess the patient’s daily living needs and help them achieve the maximum degree of independence by advising on adaptations to your home.
Download our Senior Living Guide for additional tips, resources and ideas