Seven Tips to Improve Your Home Mobility

The team is often approached for tips on simple ways that people can improve their home mobility. When we give advice, we always try to keep our customers’ budgets in mind. Below are seven cost-effective solutions that can be implemented to make our homes a little easier to navigate as our mobility suffers.

Rearranging Furniture

Consider the way you navigate your home. What are the common avenues of movement? Are they wide enough to fit any mobility aids you depend on, such as rollators or wheelchairs? Where are the important points that require unhindered access? Ensure that these walkways are unobstructed. Move any low-down furniture that could be a trip hazard, like coffee tables, pouffes, and stools, to a safe position in the living space.

Improved Lighting

Make sure that lighting is bright and well placed around those key places in the home. This might include areas such as hallways, bedrooms and toilets. We may know our homes well enough to navigate blindfolded. However, unkempt rugs, fallen items and trailing wires can pop up anywhere. They are also easily missed in shadowy areas.

Convenient Storage

Ensure that frequently used items are conveniently stored at torso height. This prevents us from having to unnecessarily bend and stretch, which becomes an increasing challenge as mobility suffers. Seating options such as riser recliners often come with pockets built into the chair to allow users to keep things in arm’s reach.

Simple Grab Tools

We often recommend our clients simple picking/grab tools when reaching for items out of arm’s reach. It is key to find the right length grabber for you. If you are still bending or stretching, the grabber is too short for you.

Handrail Installation

Be it at the front door step, frequently used hallways, or the bathroom, installing handrails can bolster confidence when navigating the house. They also reduce the risk posed by simple trip and slip hazards. Before committing to a full installation, where possible, you can always experiment with stick-on handrails. These work fantastically on glass and ceramic. Find out more about our home installation options and how we can help if this seems right for you.

Toiletry Aids

Raised toilet seats reduce the amount of effort needed when sitting and standing. Tile floors can be slippery; non-slip mats and non-skid shoes can reduce the risk of sudden bathroom falls. Showering can be made easier by the installation of rails and the introduction of a shower stool.

Regular Exercise

This one is as much a lifestyle tip as a home tip. As mobility becomes more difficult, many begin to neglect simple exercise.   Regular walks, stretches, and lifts help to maintain muscle strength, circulation, and more. Unable to get out? There are many ways of making your home environment more suitable for exercise.