Modifying The Home For Someone With Physical Disability
Whether it’s someone you’re inviting to your own home or you’re taking on the responsibility as someone’s caregiver to help them in their own, people with special needs may be able to benefit from a range of adaptations to the home. Here, we’re going to look at a few and how they can suit people with varying levels of ability.
Whether it’s someone you’re inviting to your own home or you’re taking on the responsibility as someone’s caregiver to help them in their own, people with special needs may be able to benefit from a range of adaptations to the home. Here, we’re going to look at a few and how they can suit people with varying levels of ability.
Accessing the needs of the individual
The first thing you should arrange is a sit-down with your loved one’s doctor and them to talk about the range of their physical abilities, any mobility or chronic pain issues to accommodate, as well as what they would most like to be able to do more independently. That way, you can get an idea of what changes to prioritize first.
Getting the funding
Making adjustments to your home can be costly. Depending on where you live, you may be able to apply for financial assistance to help bear the brunt of those costs. Take a look to see if there are any disability grants for home improvements that are accessible to you. Successful application for these relies on not just location, either, but also the scale of the needs of the individual and costs of the adaptations.
Improving access to the home
Most important for those with any disabilities that limit their ability to move is making the home both easier to get into and to move around in. For instance, not only might this include a wider front door and wheelchair ramps for access into the home. You should also think about changing the interior doors from ones that swing open to those that slide open to make them easier to use, as well. For any stairs, you should also naturally consider things like lifts.
Modifying the bathroom
One of the most important rooms to adapt is the bathroom, for a range of reasons. It has a higher chance of slips, trips, and falls, and it is also where your loved one might appreciate the most privacy. To that end, you should look for items like grab rails that can allow them to use this part of the home more independently.
Making things easier to use
For any parts of the home that the individual may need to operate, you should consider how much energy or effort it takes to operate normally and see if there are better alternatives. For instance, there are specialized bathroom faucets for those who might normally find them hard to use.
Adopting visual aids
Some disabilities may make it difficult for the individual to see or navigate parts of the home. This includes not only visual impairments but also special needs such as dementia. For instance, creating a dementia-friendly home might include labeling items such as storage furniture around the home, and avoiding any patterns that can be potentially disorienting.
Which of the choices above you should use in the home should largely depend on the specific abilities of the individual. Hopefully, this has at least given you some direction to start investigating in, however.
3 Changes You Can Make To Your Home Before 2021
2021 is fast approaching. As a result, the world seems to be breathing a collective sigh of relief as we can finally say goodbye to 2020 and start anew. Here’s a few changes you can make to your home.
2021 is fast approaching. As a result, the world seems to be breathing a collective sigh of relief as we can finally say goodbye to 2020 and start anew. However, you don't have to wait until January to start making changes - in fact, it's often better to get a head start on them. This is particularly true when it comes to making changes in your home. Here are three things you can do THIS MONTH that will have a significant change on not only your home but how you feel!
A deep clean
When we are busy, we often settle for 'light' home cleaning - this means we wash our dishes and brush the floors, but we often don't set aside the time to do a full clean. However, you'd be surprised about how different your home will look once you commit to one. Here are some things you should do:
Brush and sweep floors
Organize your cupboards - throw away what you don't use
Remove clutter from surfaces
Clean windows (interior and exterior)
Clean skirting boards
Clean your bathroom until it shines
Put curtains in the washing machine
Clean your attic/basement
When you are doing a deep clean, you will also be able to check your home for any signs of damage, giving you insight onto any renovations you may need to do in the future. If you are planning any major renovations - ensure you know everything there is to know before your home.
For example, if built before the 1980s, your pipes may be lined with asbestos - and you must proceed with caution. Asbestos exposure can lead to extreme sickness - and it is crucial you take care of yourself and those around you. If you get sick as a result of asbestos, ensure you contact mesothelioma attorneys who can help you receive compensation.
Stick on wallpaper
You've probably spent more time in your home this year than ever before. As a result, you've likely got fed up with looking at the same four walls over and over again. Introduce some change into your home with vibrant, stick on wallpaper. As it can easily be peeled on and off, you aren't committing to a long term change - and can even choose seasonal patterns. There is a wide range of fantastic patterns on offer - not only can they add a splash of color to an otherwise dull room, but they also make an excellent background for selfies!
You can also use wallpaper to line your wardrobes and bookshelves for a sophisticated and unique finish.
Change your lighting
Lighting can really change the way a room looks; therefore, getting some new lights can make a real difference to your home. If you want to maximize your space, opt for bright, white lighting that mimics natural light - this will make it look as though a room is bigger than it is. However, if you want a room to feel warm and cosy, opt for lights that are more golden in color.
Fall Back into Your Space
Misplacing keys in your home is arguably one of the most frustrating things to experience. What would make it worst is losing your keys…on a Monday. This was my reality about two weeks ago when I could not find my keys in my bedroom. After about 5 minutes of spinning in circles and checking underneath the same pile of work documents, the rage set in. I went into a violent fit of cleaning and cleansing my room. The funny thing is, I found my keys within 15 minutes of shuffling things around and clearing space. However, I knew from the moment I decided to grab a trash bag, this wasn’t about the keys.
I felt betrayed and I wanted revenge. Since working from home, I allowed my work-life and traumas of society spill over into my sacred space. I needed my space and peace back. By the end of the cleaning storm, I ended up removing an entire wardrobe and its contents from the room. There were clothes I hadn’t seen or worn for almost a year. I even realized that the position of the furniture contributed to my discomfort.
While being limited in space for the foreseeable future, it is important that we nurture our personal spaces to evolve with us. After that moment where I broke, I realized how cleaning becomes a spiritual process in adulthood. I now understand the necessity of waking early on a Saturday blasting Anita Baker to get the house in order. This month, I wanted to provide you with some tips to help you do the same in your own space.
Reorganizing
Organization can be the one thing that makes or breaks a space. As we welcome the Fall season, now is a perfect time to reorganize your space to be comforting for you during the coming winter months.
- As you’re buying new clothes, donate the old ones to a local consignment retailer or charity
- Check all your jackets, coats, boats, and accessories to see what needs to be cleaned or adjusted
- Organize up, not out. The goal is to increase your space, not box you in more
- Dust/Clean out ventilation
- Buy new pillows
- Clean out the kitchen drawers
- Clean your oven. It’s not clean unless half your body is hanging out the door, and your left should reaches the back right burner. Don’t debate it. It’s science.
Lighting
How many times have you changed light bulbs since being home? I can honestly say that before I used this time to reorganize, I had not. Fall means shorter days and less natural lighting, so this season, the lights in your home will be seeing significantly more use than they have in the past. To begin this project, start with high traffic areas in your home. Communal areas, bathrooms, and bedroom lighting should all be exchanged for more efficient bulbs. As we transition into the holiday season, your kitchen is going to be getting a lot more use. Switch out the bulbs and don’t forget about the refrigerator, freezer, and overhead lights about the stove.
While you’re choosing your lights, keep in mind that the lighting indoors is artificial. There’s evidence that this change in natural light exposure can affect your mood. A way to combat this is to vary the type of lighting in your home spaces to mimic natural light. Use this time to experiment with different light temperatures, dimmers, lamps, string lights, and lanterns.
Image by Jason Leung
Scents
My favorite part about fall cleaning and organizing is finally being able to enjoy the best scents of the year. No, I am not referring to pumpkin spice, but rather some amazing scents that will make you never allow that outside your kitchen again. Here is a brief list of some of my favorite Fall scents you can enjoy in your home too this season.
Fresh
Oak Moss
Lavender
Honey
Geranium
Fruit
Orange
Fig
Plum
Musk
Ylang Ylang
Golden Frankincense
Tobacco
Fir
Leather
As time goes on and the seasons change, occasionally examining your space can help reduce your stress and anxiety. If you find yourself becoming frustrated with your space, don’t be afraid to get angry. Use the energy to reorganize and fall back into your space this month.
At Home Therapy
Every home has a distinct scent, what is yours?
Essential Oil Diffusers have become a hot topic in today’s day and age. With so many different oils, every room in your house can give off a different aroma. At CAMPO Modern Aromatherapy, you can choose from up to 16 different blends of oils. If you are looking to keep alert throughout the day, their ENERGY Blend does just the trick. This blend is 100% pure essential oils with Orange Blossom, Bergamot, Sweet Orange, Bitter Orange, and a hint of Australian Sandalwood to give you the perfect balance of vitality and energy.
This scent is perfect for an office or work space being that it gives off a sensual, warm, and woodsy scent. If you are having trouble getting to bed at night, their SLEEP Blend can be the answer to your prayers. With a hint of lavender, palmarosa, roman chamomile, and valerian root, you will find yourself relaxed and calmed when it’s time to hit the hay for the day. This oil is perfect for the bedroom, hence the name, with its floral scent and balsamic undertones. If you’ve never used a diffuser with essential oils before, you can’t go wrong with lavender.
Lavender is one of the most common essential oils that people use in their diffusers. It has the ability to alleviate many feelings, such as stress, anxiety, and soreness. With so many oils with so many different scents, each room in your house can do a different thing: put you to sleep, wake you up, calm you down, or excite you. All at the same time.
Report: Hannah Zaremba
How To Boost Your Productivity and Attitude With Clothing When Working At Home
We know it hasn't been easy working from home especially if you've worked full-time in an office. One way to stay productive with accomplishing work and motivating yourself for the day it to make an effort in getting dressed for the day. See how influential this simple practice is in our newest article.
What has been the norm for businesses and employees in the past has transitioned into full work-from-home chaos due to the coronavirus. None of us fully prepared for maintaining our work life at home for what could be more than two months. Many of you who worked in an office and wished to work from home are experiencing the pros and cons of working remotely, with the biggest struggle staying proactive and completing work. It’s easy to get lazy, become unmotivated, and decide to watch TV or take a “quick” nap.
For a quick solution to this problem, we offer you the advice of dressing for work at home. We can imagine your response: “Why should I waste clean clothes to sit in the living room and work?” It’s important to look past your wash load and realize how it can boost your personal morale. Getting dressed in the morning often motivates you to accomplish work. If you opt to wear sweats or stay in your pajamas, these casual clothing pieces can make your mood for the day lackadaisical and unmotivated. Taking the time to shower, put on your favorite top and pants, styling your hair, and applying makeup can boost your confidence, make you feel ready to take on the day, and embrace your inner boss.
After reading this article, start small by wearing jeans or pants instead of sweatpants. Taking inspiration from the runway, Max Mara is our favorite with simplistic, but statement workwear pieces. Wear a wide leg pant with a simple top. It gives semi-casual vibes combining professional and fashionable. The second day, plan your outfit the night before giving focus and emphasis on wearing something attractive to boost your mood. Because the weather changes, a camel tone is perfect for a dull or bright day. Day by day, add more focus to how you get dressed. Not only will it make a difference in your attitude, but, also, your productivity for the day. Photo Credit: Filippo Fior/ gorunway.com
Report: Necole Jackson
