One common way to make a home handicap accessible is by overcoming the steps at the garage entrance. Steps are an accessibility barrier that are typically made of concrete or wood, and railings are not always installed. The construction quality may also be low, which poses injury risks from slips and falls. Here are the top 4 solutions to help …
Universal Design Vs. Accessible Design: What is the Difference?
Great design should be part of every home, and two schools of thought have emerged. Everybody is talking about Universal Design, which is changing both commercial and residential construction for the better. Focused on principle of universal use, Universal Design dramatically improves the use by everyone, children, people with disabilities, the aging population, and everyone in between. However, Accessible Design, …
Why Choose a Bruno Stair Lift Installation by Accessible Systems?
As we age, our flexibility, balance, and mobility change. The National Safety Council estimates that more than one million injuries occur each year as a result of falls on stairways. Even using a simple staircase in your home can be dangerous if your eyesight is failing, your stability has diminished, or you have balance problems. Many older homeowners purchased their …
The Art of Toileting: 4 Steps for Seniors, Disabled, Handicap
Dale is a senior that is wheelchair bound and will soon be discharged from the hospital. He doesn’t have a lot of support at home, and because of his disability, his immediate concern is not being able to get his pants up on his own after toileting. Accompanied by his OT, Whitney McMonale of Spalding Rebah PSL, and her OTA …
Adapted Home for Veteran Made Possible via VA SAH Grant
Charlie, an Army Veteran, can still walk to a certain degree, but he knows that his ALS will one day limit his mobility. His balance is already off, and the risk of falling grows by the day. Working with his case manager from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and taking advantage of the VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant, …
10 Tips for ALS Home Modifications and Adaptive Equipment
The early signs of ALS are when muscle cramps and twitching, weakness in hands, legs or ankles or difficulty speaking or swallowing begin. Loss of movement follows, and then moving around the home becomes progressively more difficult. The help of a caregiver, whether that person be a professional or a family member, is eventually needed. Home accessibility is better when …
FREE Fall Prevention and Risk Assessment Tool
Does falling in your home worry you? Every year, for people over 65 in the U.S.: 1 in 3 will have a fall 1 out 5 falls will cause a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury Falls are the number reason for emergency room visits While these statistics can be scary, there are actions you can …
Home Modifications: Top 4 Barriers for People with Disabilities
When contemplating home modifications for seniors, or home modifications for disabled people, the TOP 4 accessibility barriers faced are 1) the entrances and exits, 2) levels and stairs, 3) bathrooms and 4) physical transfers. Each barrier is described below and home accessibility solutions are recommended to help overcome each one. Finding the right mobility solution will depend on one’s personal …
Top 10 Bathroom Improvement Ideas for Accessibility
Home improvement is synonymous with spring cleaning, and for the mobility-challenged, a bathroom remodel is an ideal project to enhance the beauty, comfort, accessibility and safety of a home. Here are TOP 10 IDEAS for home bathroom improvements to help attain optimal accessibility: 1. Shower Seats – More than just a comfy place to relax while showering, adding a shower …
Social Worker Spotlight: Generations Strong
The official theme for Social Work Month in March 2020 is “Social Workers: Generations Strong.” Celebrated each March, National Professional Social Work Month is an opportunity for social workers across the country to turn the spotlight on the profession and highlight the important contributions they make to society. Our nation’s almost 700,000 social workers have amazing tenacity and talent. They …