Sometimes the need to accommodate our disabilities can be so significant that even collections of small solutions are not enough. It is helpful for each of us to regularly look at our environments objectively, to see if they can work better for us. And these evaluations can lead us to accept larger changes.

Ideally, making homes handicapped accessible can make them better for everyone and, when done well, the changes can even be more attractive. But, in reality, changes require many trade-offs involving the minimizing of costs, maintaining or improving of your property’s value, and choosing how accessible everything needs to be (for example choosing between high versus low cabinets). We are finding more and more builders and contractors positioning themselves as senior or disability friendly and that can be a good place to start. Deciding where to start depends on the disability, the home, the areas of greatest danger or difficulty, and, of course, the available funds.

Many homes do not have entrances that accommodate wheelchairs or walkers. If modifying front stairs would result in an unattractive and still difficult “solution,” we have found that modifying garage, side door or back entrances can be quite acceptable alternatives.

Often older bathrooms are small and difficult to navigate. And, because bathroom re-models can be quite expensive, many people hold off on doing so as long as possible. But not making them accessible and safe is, ultimately, not an option. A low cost first step is installing grab bars in key locations. These, alone, make bathrooms significantly safer. In addition, a commode chair positioned over a toilet and shower benches placed in bathtubs can be excellent short-term accommodations. Full remodels can include roll-in showers with benches and elevated toilets.

It is rare for people to move just to gain accessibility, but often, other life events can support these choices. We have consistently seen the stage of becoming empty-nesters as the point when houses are sold and single story condos are bought. But simply choosing smaller, single-story homes may not be enough. Even new homes must be evaluated and often modified, to provide safe, comfortable access. The reality of buying, building or renting a home is that we can require appropriate modifications before we “sign on the dotted line!”