Hello- new to your forum, as my father experienced a level C6 injury 2 1/2 months ago. As he continues rehab therapy, I need to prepare his home for his return. We are looking to add bathroom, ramps, etc... are there resources to help with this type of home remodel.
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Home Modifications
Started by
*Rod*
, Oct 20 2005 02:04 AM
4 replies to this topic
Top#2
hillarymcarter
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Posted 20 October 2005 - 03:37 PM
Hi Rod!! I am going through the nightmare fo remodeling also! There are contracters who deal just with remodeling for handicap revisions. Also, if your father was in a rehab the occupational therapist can also come to evaluate the home and give recommendations. We are using Environmental Rehabilitation Center out of New Jersey to fix our home. They give recommendations and also blue plans and they will help you find a special contractor. They will travel anywhere to come see you...we live in Louisiana. If you have a case worker this can expedite the process and you won't have to deal with the headache. We hired a case worker from a company called Concentra.
#3
hillarymcarter
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Posted 20 October 2005 - 03:47 PM
Here are some general rules if you plan on remodeling yourself:
A ramp should have 1 foot of ramp for every 1 inch of drop
Ex. if your door has a 5 inch stair, you need a 5 foot ramp.
Measure your father's wheelchair to determine how big your doors should be. You need to allow room for his hands on the outside of the wheels. The doors at our home are 34 inches wide (this is usually about as wide as they go)
In the bathroom you need to allow a 4 foot turning radius for a wheelchair.
You will either need to allow a roll in shower or a tub with rails so he can use a bench.
You also want to make sure he can roll under the sinks. Watch out for pipes under the sink because if they get hot and they are exposed they can burn his legs.
Microwaves should be on the counter, not installed hanging.
Front control ovens are best so he won't have to reach over the burners to adjust them.
Front loading washer and Dryer.
As far as that 4 foot turning radius...every place in the house really needs to have it so he won't get stuck.
The bar shaped door knobs will be much easier for him to open/close doors.
Hard floors
That's all I can think of for now.
A ramp should have 1 foot of ramp for every 1 inch of drop
Ex. if your door has a 5 inch stair, you need a 5 foot ramp.
Measure your father's wheelchair to determine how big your doors should be. You need to allow room for his hands on the outside of the wheels. The doors at our home are 34 inches wide (this is usually about as wide as they go)
In the bathroom you need to allow a 4 foot turning radius for a wheelchair.
You will either need to allow a roll in shower or a tub with rails so he can use a bench.
You also want to make sure he can roll under the sinks. Watch out for pipes under the sink because if they get hot and they are exposed they can burn his legs.
Microwaves should be on the counter, not installed hanging.
Front control ovens are best so he won't have to reach over the burners to adjust them.
Front loading washer and Dryer.
As far as that 4 foot turning radius...every place in the house really needs to have it so he won't get stuck.
The bar shaped door knobs will be much easier for him to open/close doors.
Hard floors
That's all I can think of for now.
#5
AHolland
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Posted 26 October 2005 - 10:10 PM
A few things I added:
I installed stronger roof trusses throughout the bedroom and bathrooms in anticipation of the future when I might have to be hoisted in or out of my bed. Right now I manually transfer, but the day will come when I ca'nt and a battery operated hoist will be needed. Very little cost at time of building ($240.00)
I installed my microwave below the countertop.
Some stoves have doors that open sideways, not up/down.
May or maynot want to relocate light/power switches at a different height.
Closet to have hanging rods at the normal 6 feet, but again at 3 feet so the person in a wheelchair can get at their clothes.
Light/Fan with remote control in the bedroom. Optional, but many disabled people get hot/cold easily and it's nice to turn out the lights after you get into bed.
Shower curtain can have coated chain pulled through the bottom to add weight so the water will not get out of the shower. Shower head to be on a 6 foot length of hose. You can also have the shower hose come off the bottom of the shower (at 3 feet) so the wheelchair person can have more length to work with
I installed stronger roof trusses throughout the bedroom and bathrooms in anticipation of the future when I might have to be hoisted in or out of my bed. Right now I manually transfer, but the day will come when I ca'nt and a battery operated hoist will be needed. Very little cost at time of building ($240.00)
I installed my microwave below the countertop.
Some stoves have doors that open sideways, not up/down.
May or maynot want to relocate light/power switches at a different height.
Closet to have hanging rods at the normal 6 feet, but again at 3 feet so the person in a wheelchair can get at their clothes.
Light/Fan with remote control in the bedroom. Optional, but many disabled people get hot/cold easily and it's nice to turn out the lights after you get into bed.
Shower curtain can have coated chain pulled through the bottom to add weight so the water will not get out of the shower. Shower head to be on a 6 foot length of hose. You can also have the shower hose come off the bottom of the shower (at 3 feet) so the wheelchair person can have more length to work with
T4/T5
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