Do you have to adapt your home for a disability?
By cotruelove
@cotruelove (1016)
Denver, Colorado
April 9, 2012 12:35pm CST
In my home, both my husband and I are disabled. No wheelchairs yet, but walkers. Having to make other adaptations to accommodate both of us. Installing grab bars throughout the house where needed are part of the changes. Also thinking of putting a hand rail in one of the hallways for stability. Already bought a shower transfer bench for our tub/shower in order to get in and out of tub. Also purchased some toilet seats that raise the seat for both of us. Growing old isn't easy but making the changes can be beneficial and keep us independent for many years to come. One of the things I'd love to have done is change our entrance steps to ramps, but I'll have to find a way to get that done. Have you had to modify your home for a disability?
4 people like this
9 responses
@rusty2rusty (6763)
• Defiance, Ohio
9 Apr 12
I have never had to modify a home. However I did have to start using a cane for awhile. Mainly in the winter and when it is cold and rainy. Those times seem to affect my leg the most.
1 person likes this
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Apr 12
I was using a cane like you 20 years ago, and still do. However for long distance, the walker I have with a seat is better because my legs get tired. But I do know the raised toilets seats have helped and so does the shower transfer bench. And of course, I love my hand held shower massage. Thanks for your response.
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
12 Apr 12
I live in an apartment. If I needed to modify my where I live I couldn't do it. I would have to move. I probaly will move to to a lower apartment or a place that is disability modified. I think if my knees get worse I will try and find a an apartment on the first floor. Getting older sucks sometimes! I am feeling it lately!
1 person likes this
@disturbedgd (1819)
• South Africa
10 Apr 12
we didn't have to modify our home physically but we made changes since I suffered from a hyperglycemic diabetic coma when i was 13. My parents tried to change their eating habits to adjust to mine but saying no to sweet things is hard. I don't mind if they don't it doesn't really bother me anymore but I do appreciate the effort.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Apr 12
To me adjusting a family diet is as much changes for a disability as home construction projects are. My hubby has adjusted to my diet, and I applaud him for it. Daily we learn more about how to make my diet more appealing. Thank goodness the USA has realized that 1 out of 7 people are gluten intolerant and lactose intolerance is quite common. I applaud your parents for their efforts! A diabetic diet is a great diet and helps many people even without diabetes. Thanks for your response!
@angelwithkids (1256)
• United States
10 Apr 12
the lady i take care of is disabled. her mother has had to put a mini ramp so her chair can get into the house. her brother remodeled her shower into a walk(wheelchair) in. then they replaced the bedroom door for a bigger door. then they had a ramp built in the backyard with a walkway to the fence. they created a gate so if need be, it can be used for emercency use only.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Apr 12
She is fortunate to have family who have provided a way for her to live at home. So many families just stuff their family member in a nursing home and it seems to lessen the life of the person because of it. Thanks for your response!
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
10 Apr 12
Hiya cotrue,
While I was over in England things had to be adapted for my Mom whilst she was still living there things like two gates on the stairs and special handles to hold on to when she got in and out of the House.
What they did not seem to take into account is if she went up the back Garden that was full of dangers for her so I had my time cut out watching her there as the hose pipe was constantly lying about on the grass and no one would pick it up.
She fell over it a couple of times too and panicked and I had to race over the two silly gates on the stairs. In other words I had to hurdle jump over those gates as they were locked. Good job I was fit enough as she was lying in the grass no one had heard her except me and I went to her rescue very quickly and did not make a big thing about it like the rest of the family would have done.
Some adaptions are good but I think they need a real person with them to anticipate their next move and be with them.xxx
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Apr 12
It is nice if someone is available, however, that seems to be the biggest problem. One of things we plan on doing is getting the system where you wear a medallion that has a communication button that notifies a security company that you are in trouble or have fallen. They will then call the police or emergency medical people to come help. So far, since my hubby got so ill, it actually has served to make me stronger and I'm doing more than I was. He has a tendency to baby me too much. Thanks for your response!
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
11 Apr 12
Hiya cotrue,
More than nice it is a great comfort as well I would say. Wish I had had that with my Mom at least for a while.
Only thing I had like I said was problems big ones from the surrounding family and one Nurse in particular who clearly stated she was going to tell my Mom what was wrong with her and I said to her no way are you going to do that and so I reported her attitude. My Mom only had days to live and she was in no fit state to cope with something so devastating.
Luckily I managed to keep that Nurse away she was awful I explained it to the other Nurse and I said I have enough on my plate without coping with that as well.
Great idea you have there with that Alarm button you must feel more secure having that it was just that there was not enough time in our case you see.
I knew that she was going and she did not she was not aware of it.
Was also having to cope with the stress of them wanting to put her away in one of those Homes in her last Days and I said a big no to that as well.
Oh that is nice that he makes a big fuss of you enjoy that even if he babies you too much why not?
Hope it all goes well with you now take care.xxx
@rewardsinlife (1132)
• United States
9 Apr 12
Yes, we had to modify my grandmother's home for her disability after she had a bad fall. The main thing we ended up buying were had rails to put everywhere around the house and especially in the bathrooom. We also put one by the front step on her porch. One quick way to change your front door intrance is to get a collapsable ramp that will stay there permanetly. They can range anywhere from $50 to a couple hundred dollars depening on the number of steps it has to span. A more expesnive route would to get a contractor to change your front entrance into a ramp with concrete.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
9 Apr 12
Thanks for your response. I love the collapsible ramps but I've been told they won't work for mine because of the height. The entrance has 5 steps coming up and it is preferable to have both exterior doors with ramps. I'm going to contact some of the elderly resources and see if they can help with it.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (161080)
• United States
10 Apr 12
Sometimes the ramps have to be quite complex to go down at a comfortable slope.
@GardenGerty (161080)
• United States
10 Apr 12
Currently I have no modifications, but I did have at one time because my first husband became ill and disabled. The changes were all temporary, however.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Apr 12
Thanks for your response. I wish I thought the changes here were temporary but sadly they are not. Sorry you had the experience, it is a very difficult situation when loved ones are ill.
@AmbiePam (94354)
• United States
10 Apr 12
My dad has had to make small moderations for my mother who has dementia. She's only 52 and walks like a normal person. But her mind is so far gone that she can't even wash herself. She has no idea what soap is for. We literally have to wash her hands ourselves because once we put the soap in them, she is clueless on what to do. So he has made moderations in the shower. He put up a rail, made the shower head moveable, and put a small bench in there as well. He just can't bathe her without that kind of change.
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
9 Apr 12
Thanks for the response. I live in a mobile home park for now. Unfortunately the steps are steep and it won't be easy putting in ramps. Yep, life is always a challenge but worth the effort!!
