ot;handicap access

been too long since i was in this building buisness.Wife has to have handicap accessable stuff installed in the house. So i've been working on bedrooms and baths so far.Heres what ive done,made her shower bigger so she can use transfer seat,put in backing for grab bars in shower and behind and beside toilet,backing for wall hung sink,lowered light switches/plugs,widened doors,mirrors that swivel down,moved walls out for wheelchair access where needed. Can anyone think of something i've overlooked before I start finishing walls and laying tile?maybe something that your kin or whoever needed to make getting around easier? I'd forgotten how hard this work was, I need to go back to farming so i can rest!LOL breaking concrete and knocking out walls are for young folks,I'm sore all over more than anywhere else.

It sounds like you've pretty much covered all the bases, but here's a thought- get the "specs" required under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), and have the appropriate inspections done, so when you're done, you can eventually sell as ADA certified- would certainly make it more desirable and saleable.

I don't like guvment regulations any better than the next guy, but in this case it could work to your advantage. Just make sure you've got all the info in hand before you make the decision to go that route. You don't want any expensive surprises once you've made the decision.

Good advice about looking at ADA specs.

It might be well for you to borrow a wheel chair sit in it and start from the entry door and go everywere your wife needs to go just to see how it works from a user point of view.

Good Luck

I have one sugestion - For the bathroom, make the door open out. If she falls in there you will be able to get to her.

sounds like you have it covered--make sure it is big enough to allow a helper to assist with transfers, non slip floor would be a plus--for the helper. handheld shower wand.

thanks guys,I did remember to make the doors opening out, and took the locks off.I have a handheld shower ordered,forgot what its called but one of those that slide up and down on a bar and detaches.tempering valve on the hot water.Floor is non slip in shower pan I bought so we should be good there.Dont like tile in a bathroom so much myself when its wet, but i found one thats pretty rough so it should be ok,and she insists on tile. trying to keep her at home as long as possible.

Couple other thoughts...
As you go through each area to renovate - install 1/2" plywood backer behind the walls. I like to do that in bathrooms and bedrooms when renovating for an older couple. ADA gives you the approved locations (and I follow them), but nothing wrong with having a 4x8 sheet of plywood under the drywall. Then you can mount what you want, where it works best for her. And move it later as needs change.
Also - look into some minor modifications to a normal bath vanity cabinet. Depending on how yours is constructed, its size, and your carpentry skills, you can make the toe kick swing out with the cabinet door and still leave room under it for a shallow shelf or two. It also helps make the place look a bit more residential which may make for a better mental transition for her.
You can do the same with the kitchen sink area.
Also, with a little plywood, 2x8 and remedial carpentry, you can depress the subfloor in the shower by cutting out the top part of the joists and reinforcing them with the material (check with someone knowledgeable first!). this can give her a roll-in shower if she wants.
Following ADA is a good idea and as mentioned by others, will help. Keep in mind it is a code that was generated to benefit as many as possible and may not be the best fit for your situation.
Last, the more you can do for her on her other daily activities, the better her transition will be. Little things like lowering a window for better views, making it easier for her to do what she did before, etc. will leave her feeling less confined.
Good luck.

Harry, that's an excellent idea for him to borrow a chair and test drive the house.
Being in a wheelchair myself I would also consider access from the outside grade into the house. We have 2 ramps, both a little steep.The ADA designates a 1" to 12" pitch on a ramp, mine's more like 1" to 8-10" but I get by OK. I used to slide down my backdoor ramp, fixed that by nailing 90# rolled roofing on the ramp. My wife prefers the backdoor ramp on frosty days, no slipping.
jackinok, hope this helps.

If you haven't already, replacing door knobs with lever handles make opening doors a lot easier.

thats a good idea on the plywood,ive been putting in 2x6's where i knew i needed backing.I'm kind of dreading the kitchen,I shut one of the breakers off on the stove so she thinks its broken,she forgets to turn it off, or thats shes even cooking sometimes,and I'm afraid she will set something on it or have a fire when I'm not home.at least the microwave will turn itself off if she forgets.Cant keep a housekeeper ,no one can do to suit her.neighbor ladies are really good about sitting with her or checking on her though when i cant be there.

thanks for the info on the ramps,i need to do that also,and havent been able to find the correct pitch.I really havent looked hard though.Been trying to put that off till it warms up.Put off buying a new pickup and bought a van with all the handicap goodies on it a couple of weeks agne of her freinds was going to drive her to some dr's appointments today in it for the first time.they havnt called so i guess they figured out how to operate it.LOL

(quoted from post at 16:22:37 01/23/12)
The ADA designates a 1" to 12" pitch on a ramp, .

Click to expand...

Actually it is 1' in 20' for an exterior ramp. 1' in 12' for an interior ramp.

Quick one on the ramps...
Maximum slope for a ADAAG compliant ramp is 1 in 12. After you get flatter than a 1:20 it is no longer technically considered a ramp with most codes or the ADAAG. This is important when it comes to handrails. A compliant ramp requires handrails. If you want the access but don"t want the rails in your front yard, keep it under 1 to 20 (if you have room) and you would then not be required to have the handrails since it is technically not a ramp - handrails would be at your choice.
Hope that helps.

Tony

thanks I'll remember that.I just have a step up @4 inches so 1 in 20 shouldnt be a problem.ive been using a wooden ramp when she needed it,but I need to build something more substantial.

(quoted from post at 23:57:03 01/23/12)

(quoted from post at 16:22:37 01/23/12)
The ADA designates a 1" to 12" pitch on a ramp, .

Click to expand...

Actually it is 1' in 20' for an exterior ramp. 1' in 12' for an interior ramp.

Click to expand...

thanks for the correction, Scott. I sure don't want to be putting out incorrect info.
Tim

My wife runs an adult foster home in our home. When I put the wheelchair accessible shower in, I picked up a tub valve that had an actual valve to direct the water between the shower head or the tub. Next I hooked a flexible hose and shower wand on the "tub" line. Now you can have a regular shower with the normal shower head or with the wand.
Tim in OR