An unexpected injury or diagnosis can change everything overnight. You are suddenly faced with hundreds of additional considerations–including how you can safely and easily access your home with these new mobility needs. It can feel overwhelming, discouraging, and incredibly scary. But here’s the important part: you aren’t alone. Hundreds of families seamlessly navigate these changes every year, thanks to support from professionals and contractors who specialize in home accessibility modifications.
Wondering how to make a home accessible? In this blog post, we’ll cover what you need to know, including how different conditions affect your needs, the key considerations you’ll face, and why home elevators and lifts might be the ideal answer.
How Different Injuries Impact Home Accessibility
Every injury is different, and no solution is one-size-fits-all. Here are some examples of common home modifications based on injury type:
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI): One of the most common home modifications needed after an SCI is complete wheelchair accessibility. This includes roll-in showers, wider doorways and hallways, and elevators and lifts to allow for easy access between floors.
- Stroke and brain injuries: These injuries primarily impact balance and cognitive function, with some mobility impacts as well. Common home modifications needed after a stroke include additional handrails, reorganized home layouts, and other mobility aids.
- Amputations: For lower limb amputations, wheelchair accessibility is typically needed regardless of whether you’ll eventually use a prosthetic. The fitting and training process can take months, and you will need to be able to function at home in the meantime. Investing in handrails, grab bars, and home lifts is essential.
Key Considerations After an Injury
Before you can get started with solutions, there are three key things you need to think about: timeline, funding, and professional recommendations.
Timeline
When your needs change overnight, time is of the essence. As part of your hospital discharge planning, consider:
- What changes do you need to make to your home?
- How long will these upgrades take?
- What temporary changes or modifications can you make in the meantime?
Here’s an insider tip: when possible, try contacting your accessibility contractors as soon as possible, even before you have been discharged. By starting the process early and completing many renovations upfront, you can ensure an easy and seamless transition back to your home.
Funding
The cost of significant home accessibility improvements can feel like a huge barrier. Luckily, there are multiple funding options available for both Canadian and American residents, including:
- Insurance coverage: If your injury is a result of an accident, your insurance could cover some costs. Review your auto insurance or workers’ compensation details for more information.
- Veterans benefits: Are you a veteran with a service-related disability? If so, you have access to several federal grants. At RAM Elevators and Lifts, we have extensive experience supporting veterans, including tips for navigating the grant application process. Contact us today for additional details.
- Government rebates: Depending on where you live, you and your family might qualify for a government subsidy, such as the Canadian Home Accessibility Tax Credit.
Occupational Therapist Recommendations
Every injury is unique–and your home accessibility modifications will need to reflect that. Consider working with an occupational therapist before investing in upgrades. These professionals will assess your current abilities and provide specialized recommendations to ensure a safe and comfortable living situation. This could include minor changes, like reorganizing kitchen cabinets for easier access, or more comprehensive upgrades, like installing a vertical platform lift.
Essential Home Modifications After An Injury
Many of these changes are also advantageous for seniors who plan to age in place; however, the needs and timelines might be slightly different. For more information about adapting your home’s accessibility for aging in place, read our previous article.
Vertical Platform Lifts
A vertical platform lift (VPL), also known as a wheelchair lift, travels straight up and down on an open or enclosed platform—ideal for shorter distances, outdoor access, or when a full elevator isn’t necessary. VPLs are often used instead of wheelchair ramps, thanks to their durability and flexibility. Choose a VPL for:
- Outdoor access: Getting from ground level to a raised porch, deck, or garage—often the first barrier to entering your home
- Split-level homes: Navigating between half-floors
- Shorter travel distances: Rises up to 14 feet
- Fast installation: VPLs typically install more quickly than full elevators
At RAM Elevator and Lifts, our Flex Lift is the ideal choice for homeowners and patients who need an accessibility solution. Refined over 35 years, this product has several unique advantages, including:
- Up to 70 configurations for indoor and outdoor use
- Extreme weather operation for reliable operation all-year round
- Zero-load-start design—motor reaches full speed before lifting, ensuring reliable operation and extending component life
- Soft Touch Paddle controls—oversized, responsive for limited dexterity
- 750 lb capacity at 8 ft/minute
- Platform sizes from 36″ x 48″ to 42″ x 54″, accommodating standard and larger wheelchairs
For more information, download our residential Flex Lift brochure.
Small Elevators for Homes
Looking for something slightly more comprehensive than a VPL? A small home elevator might be right for you. A home elevator is a fully enclosed cab that travels between floors—the most complete solution for multi-story accessibility.
Why elevators work for serious injuries:
- Accommodates wheelchairs, caregivers, and equipment. Unlike stairlifts, an elevator allows your caregiver to ride alongside you with medical equipment, oxygen, or supplies.
- No transfer required. Roll directly on and off in your wheelchair—no standing, pivoting, or balancing.
- Works for any mobility level. Whether ambulatory but unsteady, using a manual wheelchair, or operating a power chair, an elevator serves you now and adapts as needs change.
- Dignified daily experience. An elevator is part of your home, not a medical device bolted to your staircase.
Doorways and Hallways
Standard doorways (28-32″) often can’t accommodate wheelchairs. Modifications include:
- Doorway widening to 36″ minimum (32″ absolute minimum for manual wheelchairs)
- Offset hinges that add 2″ of clearance without full reconstruction
- Pocket doors or barn doors that don’t swing into the pathway
- Lever handles replace round knobs for easier operation
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Bathrooms are the highest-risk area for falls. Essential modifications include:
- Grab bars near the toilet, shower, and tubs
- Roll-in or walk-in shower with fold-down bench
- Handheld showerhead
- Raised or comfort-height toilet
- Non-slip flooring
Kitchen modifications focus on accessibility and safety:
- Lowered countertop sections for seated work
- Pull-out shelves and lazy Susans to reduce reaching
- Lever-style faucets
- Appliances at an accessible height
How RAM Elevators and Lifts Can Help
An unexpected injury is overwhelming enough without the added stress of figuring out how to make your home accessible. That’s where the RAM team comes in. With over 35 years of experience, we have what it takes to help you move around your home freely. Ready to learn more about how we can help? Call our office today or request a quote through our website. We’ll discuss your situation, answer your questions, and help you understand what’s possible—so you can focus on what matters most: getting home and getting better.