Quite possibly the most important thing we can do that will help make our lives a lot easier is to do our best to find a place to live that is fully accessible. Over the last few years it has been my dream to somehow be able to afford to live in or build myself a home that was set up to handle all of my specific needs. After all just like anyone else I would love to be fully involved in the day to day running of my household. As it stands now I seem to be asking my wife for help with almost everything. So not only does being able to live in a fully accessible home or apartment help to make our lives easier but the lives of our caretakers as well.
Tips for creating the perfect accessible home
When it comes to purchasing or renting an apartment or home finding the right place can be a difficult task, one suggestion I have is to look for a place that is either already fully accessible or can be made accessible in the future. Finding the perfect home or apartment can result in making your life less stressful which in the end will benefit not only you but your caretakers as well.
In the bathroom
1 - Now the first room that is very important to those of us living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy or pretty much any disability is the bathroom. This one room can become a major source of frustration for many of us - from my own experience I know how difficult it can be just stepping in and out of a tub. This is why I would suggest trying to find an apartment or home that comes with a large size walk-in or roll-in shower since it might be a necessity in the future.
In the Kitchen
2 - Next up is the kitchen this is another room that can be a bit of a problem for those of us with physical limitations so you will want to try and find a place with a good sized kitchen. If possible the kitchen you would want to have cabinets and drawers that slide out - a very useful feature when it comes time to get a pot or pan from an area that can be difficult to access.
Now as far as appliances go they can be a little pricey but again if you can afford it you may want to purchase a side by side fridge - which will help in making both the freezer and fridge easier to access. When it comes to the oven for some Wall Ovens are a great choice since they can be placed at a level that works best for your particular needs. Another appliance that is very useful in any kitchen is a dishwasher since it will make your life much easier or you could always just start using paper plates and cups.
In the Laundry Room
3 - The next room you may want to look at is the laundry room which in recent years has been the cause of a lot of difficulty for me - for those who don’t know doing the laundry is a time consuming task which surprisingly involves a lot of physical activity. That's why I would suggest trying to live in a place where the washer & dryer are easily accessible. If you own a home I would have to suggest front load washers & dryers since they are easily accessible and you always have the option of purchasing pedestals for them to help you place them at a level that works best for you.
If you live in a two storey Home
4 - Now if you live in a two storey home you may want to install stair lifts or if you can afford it some builders are now including elevators as optional features. Sure these options can be expensive but if you can afford it I would suggest seriously looking into both of them.
A few other things to consider
A few other key features you will also want to consider are wider doorways and passageways, automatic door openers, lower light switches, higher receptacles and height adjustable kitchen cupboards.
Now when it comes to accessibility the more money you have the more you can do. So if possible you will want to stay out of debt and start saving your money as early as you can. This way when the time comes it won’t be a major issue finding a fully accessible place to live that perfectly suits your needs.
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