Hello World! Welcome Friends! In this article, we’ll be taking a look at ways in which you can make your home more accessible following a spinal injury…
Following a spinal injury, the last thing you want to think about is whether or not you’ll be able to access different parts of your home. To adapt to life with a spinal injury with more ease, it’s important to consider making modifications in your home so that it is more accommodating and functional to your needs. The type of modifications will depend on the severity of the injury however, they tend to be simple changes such as installing a shower chair or stairs lift.
Sadly, with spinal injuries, often irreversible damage can be done which is devastating for the injured person and their families. If the injury was in some part due to someone else’s negligence, it is important to consult a spinal injury lawyer, as the compensation you could receive can help cover the pain, suffering, loss of income and future expenses related to your injury.
Below we’re going to take a look at five home modifications to make following a spinal injury…
1. Elevators, Ramps and Lifts
After a spinal injury, many people have to get a mobility aid to move around, even if it’s just a temporary measure for a few months. Many people find that folding mobility scooters are convenient for use around the home, as they’re easily stored when not in use in the home. They’re also more portable for long car journeys as they can be compacted down and put into the trunk.
Therefore, it’s important to add things to your home that help to facilitate this new method of movement. Ramps, lifts, and elevators can help improve independent living for those with spinal injuries. It may be necessary to install ramps to make sure that you can cross over the threshold of a doorway.
2. Changing Floor Materials
If you have a spinal injury, it’s vital that you don’t injure yourself further by having an accident. For some people, this means changing the floor materials that they have because these materials are no longer safe.
You might need to replace all of your floorings with a special nonslip, grippy surface. This will help you to move about the home with confidence and prevent another accident from occurring.
3. Widening Doorways and Hallways
If your spinal injury is permanent, you will have to make major changes to your lifestyle. This also means that you will need to invest in permanent structural changes to your home.
Widening the doorways and hallways are often important for allowing mobility aids to navigate your home properly. Your average mobility scooter or wheelchair will need a wider doorway to cross through. Obviously, you will need to consult a professional before you make any changes.
4. Changing Heights of Items
To make your home wheelchair accessible, it’s important to consider lowering the height of things like counters and worktops to accommodate your new lifestyle. Doing this sooner rather than later can ensure making the transition as peaceful and simple as possible.
5. Adapting the Bathroom
Your bathroom is an important part of your home to consider when accommodating your new life. The bathroom is often quite a small space, which means that you need to try and widen it and make it more accessible for a mobility aid as well as giving yourself plenty of room to manoeuvre. Improving the size of your bathroom is very expensive, but it would be a worthwhile investment. It’s also important to think about getting handrails installed around the house, just in case you need them.
Remodeling Your Home Following an Injury
When it comes to remodeling your home after a spinal injury, it’s important to remember that you have a lot of different options at your disposal.
The best thing that you can do is speak to a physical therapist or your doctor about what changes they would recommend that are specific to your injury. After all, the individual changes you need to make based on your specific spinal injury will be important. It’s also worth looking into government-funded support when necessary.
Lots of people have spinal injuries, and many of them have to make permanent lifestyle changes. This is part of learning to come to live with your new injury, and the sooner you make these changes, the more accessible your home becomes for you.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained medical professional. Be sure to consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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