It's almost time again. Spring is a popular time for getting the house in order. As you make your list of projects, don't limit your ideas to things that are broken or need that once-a-year cleaning. Think about simple improvements that could make it easier to handle your daily tasks. Businesses call this work simplification or streamlining. At home we call it easier living.

For the millions of homes where wheelchairs, walkers or rollators are used these projects might be a little different. Professionals in the fields of geriatrics and disabilities call this 'Home Modification'. Home Modification sounds much scarier than home improvements, but it doesn't need to be. Both involve planning ahead to:

• make sure you know exactly what you need.

• have the right tools and materials available.

• complete the task within an appropriate time frame without a major upheaval in your daily routine.

In some cases, planning ahead could confirm you can do this project yourself. Or you might confirm that the wiser course of action would be to hire a professional to perform the installation. The staff at Dynamic Living has fielded thousands of questions from people who need to make changes in their homes to accommodate their changing physical needs.

Here are a few of the more popular projects for homes where mobility is an issue:

Eliminate future repairs by protecting surfaces from the constant bumps of mobility equipment.

• Clear plastic corner guards provide protection against torn wallpaper, chipped plaster and gouged molding.

• Metal kick plates protect the base of a door from assaults from footrests, wheels and shoe heels as you pass through.

• Offset hinges widen doorways by 2", making bruised knuckles or marred door jamb's less likely.

Reduce uncomfortable stretches that are difficult for shorter people and for people who use wheelchairs.

• Lightswitch extenders make standard wall switches easier to manage.

• Folding brackets allow for an appropriate height work surface that can drop down out of the way when not in use.

• Lower the clothing bar in the closet for easier access to hanging items.

• Place the most commonly used items at a reachable level; move everything else out of the way.

Improvements in the bathroom can make it easier to maintain everyone's privacy and independence:

For people who have trouble sitting and standing:

• Attach a seat riser to your toilet for additional height and less strain on hips and knees.

• Install the 3½ inch Toilevator under the base of the toilet which will add height while maintaining a more 'normal' appearance.

For people with balance issues:

• Properly placed grab bars are critical. Watch where you naturally place your hands for support and try to mount the bar in that position. Stretching for something to hold onto is as dangerous as no support at all.

• Bath benches and shower seats provide a safe place to sit in your tub. These can be free-standing or attached to a wall for additional support when transferring from a wheelchair.

• Hand held showers allow a convenient way to shower comfortably while seated.

There are tools that can be very helpful with your improvement projects:

If you are going to tackle the project yourself, there's no reason you can't make it easier. Perhaps a simple task like hanging a picture has become very difficult due to low vision issues. Assembling a drop-down shelf might become a nightmare because of arthritis in your hands.

• A nail guide holds the nail in place to help guide it straight into the wall.

• An audio level beeps to help you determine if the shelf or picture is level.

• A power screwdriver eliminates the need to twist your wrist into awkward positions or apply pressure on painful joints.

It's amazing how a few minor changes can make it so much easier to maneuver around a home. We've heard from customers that the simple addition of offset hinges on their doors made a world of difference for them. They can now enter and leave a room without assistance. When a person can handle their home environment, their feeling of independence and general well being are enhanced. Don't underestimate the changes in health and attitude this can lead to. Even modest home improvements can lead to a better quality of life!

© Copyright 2004 Dynamic Living, Inc.
Dynamic Living Newsletter may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission from the editor must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter.

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