Handicap Accessible Home

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Handicap Accessible Home

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A handicap accessible home is the ideal living space for you as someone with MS. But what does that mean. Aside from a wheelchair ramp and grab bars in the bathroom, what else makes a home accessible?

First of all, what is the purpose of accessibility? What problems do home adaptations solve? You need to be able to take care of yourself as well as your home. You need to be able to move around and do things safely. You need to be able to reach things easily. You want to feel comfortable and safe no matter what you are doing.

The following is a list of areas and things around your home you may need to think about adapting. Even if you don't need them yet, thinking and planning your home now can prepare for anything that happens in the future.

bathroom safety
communication
blinds, curtains, and drapes
doors and handrails
environmental control
flooring
furniture (beds, chairs, tables, desks)
kitchen safety
lighting
maneuverability (space)
stairs
storage
wall switches and outlets

Most of these areas need to be addressed with the comfort and safety of the person with MS in mind. You also need to decide what is necessary now and what may be necessary in the future. You don't want to buy a three story home without thinking about the fact that stairs may become impossible to navigate when mobility becomes an issue.

Start planning for the future now, especially when it comes to big decisions like where you will live in ten years if you've already been diagnosed. This could be as simple as choosing a ranch home with an open floor plan that would be easy to modify.

Of course, if you have had MS for several years, you may already be experiencing disability. You will need to decide if you should find and move into a handicap accessible home. Or should you try to modify the one you're already in.