The next tier of remodeling is to look at improving areas that have limited access for those who are using wheelchairs or walkers. For those homeowners wanting to age in place, the bathroom almost always needs to be adjusted to accommodate wheeled assistance.
Walton says this requires widening doors and re-designing the bathroom so that a wheelchair can freely maneuver not only around the bathroom but also through the doorway to reach the bathroom.
“Hallways are generally three feet which is wide enough to get a wheelchair through, but the door openings in a standard home are about two-foot-six or 30 inches wide. So those need to be widened to a minimum of two-foot-ten or three foot which is a standard width,” says Walton.
“The next step would be to make the shower more user-friendly. The universal design of a walk-in shower has mass appeal because of its convenience and easy access for all. “If you have the space, that’s best; if not, then the shower has to be remodeled so that the doors are frameless. That way, there’s no frame or track that sticks up and prevents the wheelchair from rolling over it,” says Walton.