Real-World Approach to Home Mobility Modifications

Initial Assessment

I was recently contacted by an individual whose family member, already having mobility challenges due to left-side paralysis, had recently sustained an injury from a fall and was looking for guidance on making their home more functional and safer.

When we met, my first goal was to learn and understand the family's daily routines and habits. Having lived with these challenges for some time already, they would have naturally developed processes to help them with everyday living. Also, had they made any modifications to their home that were already working well? In their case, there were two short stair lifts that assisted them between the floors of their raised ranch. Rather than recommending and implementing generic accessibility modifications, we wanted to focus on the specific areas that would have the most impact on their quality of life. Through our discussions, three critical areas emerged: the foyer transition space between two stair lifts, the transition area where they entered and exited the home through the garage, and their bathroom—its entry, as well as its overall functionality and safety.

First Things First - It's Personal

Approaching any project of this nature must go deeper than screwing a few bars to the wall and calling it good. The psychological weight of mobility limitations can be just as significant as the physical impact they have. The feeling of constantly relying on someone else, being a burden—one could only imagine their craving for the independence they once had. Are there areas of the home where we can safely restore some of that independence and possibly help strengthen someone's spirit?

Another important consideration is the appearance of our modifications. This is their home, not a hospital. We want any improvements we make to flow with the look of their house and style. In their case, a bronze finish not only matched the fixtures they currently had in their bathroom, but it would also give off a less clinical and more furniture-like feel throughout the house.

I've found that taking these small details into consideration can sometimes have more impact on someone's life mentally than the benefit they provide physically.

Bathroom Challenges and Solutions

The Space Reality Check

Diving in and starting our assessment of the bathroom, we quickly concluded that our options were limited without an extensive redesign and renovation of the existing bathroom, including the surrounding spaces. This led us to adopt what became our guiding philosophy throughout their home: "What can we do with the space that's here?"

Safety First: Grab Bar Installation

Our initial approach focused on immediate safety improvements. We planned to add safety bars around the toilet area, including a drop-down grab bar for added mobility options and security.

For the shower, we designed a solution featuring a slide bar-mounted shower head that would be much more accessible and not only give them the ability to change settings and control water flow with one hand but hopefully give them back that greater feeling of independence.

The Doorway Dilemma

The biggest challenge emerged with the bathroom entry. Minimal doorway width reduced further by the thickness of the opened door made wheelchair entry into the bathroom

difficult—evident by the deep scratches and gouges in the door and jamb. While the floor plan prevented us from re configuring the space without major renovations, we evaluated all our less disruptive and costly options.

Solution Evolution: From Pocket Door to Slider to Curtain

Initially, we considered installing a pocket door to improve passable width. However, after assessing the existing conditions coupled with the extensive work and time required, it led us to pivot toward a slider door installation. While this approach would have provided the desired clearance without the extensive work and time, it too came with its own complications, requiring alterations to an air duct and relocation of the thermostat.

Not as concerned with the alterations, I did however begin having concerns about whether the slider door solution would be ideal. Current damage and wear to the solid door trim made by maneuvering the wheelchair into the bathroom would quickly become damage to the less solid edge of a slider door. Following some discussion with the family and a little research, we concluded the best solution would be the installation of a privacy curtain.

This solution offered multiple advantages:

• Full utilization of the doorway clearance after removing the door and stops

• The curtain could be operated with one hand from a seated position

• Minimal hallway intrusion

• No alterations to the air duct or thermostat would be needed

• Cost savings

• Complete reversibility if the family ever decided to relocate

Initially, the idea of a curtain was hard to accept, and while the idea wasn't being dismissed outright, I understood their apprehensions. For them, it really boiled down to one thing: would this work best for their family member? The practicality and functionality had to come first.

Hoping I might help bridge the gap by addressing visual concerns, I suggested we choose a curtain color that closely matches their wall, making it blend seamlessly into the space. And by keeping the curtain sizing minimal, we could reduce its footprint so it wouldn't feel like a bulky addition to their bathroom.

Once they were able to see how we could make it both functional and visually unobtrusive, I could sense their reluctance beginning to fade.

Additional Home Mobility Modifications

Moving out of the bathroom and into their foyer—a tricky area—we needed to provide them with assistance from one lift seat to the other, with limited mounting surfaces and without impeding normal front door and stair traffic.

The solution: a drop-down grab bar secured to oversized mounting blocks to give the family member a stable anchor they could reach out and grab to help pull themselves up, then provide support as they maneuvered over to their other lift seat. There would be freedom of movement around the bar, no interference with the front door, and the bar could be lifted to provide more clearance if needed.

The final area of focus was the lower level, where the family would enter and exit through the garage. Though short, the hallway connecting the bottom of the stairs and lift seat to the garage entry door presented the most challenging transition point due to the step down from the hall to the garage floor. At this critical juncture, family members needed to transfer their loved one from the lift chair to either a wheelchair or cane assist toward the doorway. Once at the threshold, they would help the person stand and brace against the wall before carefully assisting them down to a chair positioned at garage level.

After some discussion and evaluation, we decided to add several grab bars to better help with a few of their challenging spots: assistance on and off the stair lift, as well as support and stabilization while transitioning in and out of the garage.

Every Situation is Unique

Mobility challenges, aging in place, or just preparing for the future—every family's needs will be as different as the home they're living in. Sometimes standard solutions will work; other times constraints, practicality, or an individual's special needs will lead the way. What's most important is listening. Listen to their story, their concerns, and determine the best ways to make it better.

Guidelines

One would think there was a standard textbook on the subject that outlines solutions for all scenarios.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), International Residential Code (IRC), and Fair Housing Act (FHA) all have requirements with respect to accessibility and mobility; however, these requirements only pertain to public spaces, residential homes with public access, or large multi-unit housing. These guidelines can be helpful when determining common heights, locations, and other accessibility considerations, but do not apply to, dictate, or restrict what someone does in their private home.

But here's what I've learned: the real guidelines for residential accessibility modifications are much simpler and far more personal. What works for the person who lives there? What fits their budget? What maintains their dignity and independence? The most valuable resource isn't found in any code book—it's the person who will be using the modifications. They know their limitations, their daily routines, and what independence means to them. These human insights often matter more than any standard requirement.

Fruits of the Labor

Having operated in the home remodeling space for many years, I've worked with countless families on a vast spectrum of different projects. Updating old spaces, creating beautiful things from nothing, fixing what's broken—all these projects can be very gratifying to complete, but I must admit that helping families in this capacity has been some of the most rewarding experiences. The feelings that come from improving someone's life through their needs versus wants always leave a bigger mark.

I look forward to more of those marks in the future.