Home Adaptation: Adaptation of existing structures

Dr. Shah, Lecture (slides 41 - 138)

outdoor space

remove clutter and have a level surface

how can you create a level surface

use of landfill to make a “ground level” ramp to replace stair entry

where should arrangement for driveways be considered

arrange them to provide parking at or near floor level

what can be installed in outdoor space for those with limited mobility that like to garden 

raised flower beds 

stairways

rails for balance and safety

where should the handrail be placed

on both sides of stairs so 1 handed users can support themselves both ways (up & down)

what is added to wide staircases 

an additional rail in the middle of stairs

stair glide

platform that mounts on side of stairwell

how does a person use a stair glide

they open the folded seat and sit, or if in wheelchair it goes onto the platform, and controls will lift the chair up or down the stairs

how much space does the stair glide take up 

use up to 1ft of stair width for track, even when platform is not deployed → stairs are difficult of others to use unless the stairway is wide 

what can stairs get replaced with

residential elevator

residential elevator

wider than standard stairs → not all houses can have w/out major construction

what case makes putting in a residential elevator easier 

when houses have a “folded” stairway 

is a residential elevator inexpensive or expensive

expensive (significant coast) and not including all safety changes and certifications need for the elevator

ramps

no more than 1” of drop for each foot of run

what is the average feet of ramp for each step in a stairway

7 ft of ramp 

where do ramps have to have horizontal platforms

every 15-20ft for “rest” spots

how long does the platform be in you have to make a turn on a ramp

5ft×5ft or 60'“×60”

what kind of surface should a ramp have 

a non-slip surface 

in what weather conditions should the non-slip surface of a ramp work in

rain (when ramp is wet), frost, snow → should still remain non-slip in all

what should a ramp have to prevent a chair from going off the edge

shoulder boards

where should the ramp have a smooth transition

to the surface at the top and the surface at the bottom 

how big should the lip be on the ramp

more than ½ inches to act as a barrier

what can be added to keys for individuals who have a hard time grasping

key-holders

what do key holders provide

additional support for turning 

doorways

need to have true clearance for door, not width of door frame or door itself

what measurement of trim on a doorway can limit access

3/4” on each side of jamb

are some door adaptations 

removal of door and removal or door-stop trim, offset hinges

removal of door downsides

door is replace with shower curtain, and limits privacy also doesn’t make the door significantly wider

where is the removal of door-stop trim

from the lower half of door

removal of door-stop trim positive 

provides 1” of additional width, may be adequate for access in close fitting walls 

offset hinges

in place of standard hinge

what do offset hinges allow a door to do

to swing entirely out of doorway

how much extra clearance does the offset hinges provide

additional ¾ inch in some cases

what is not an accommodation to a door 

replacing with a folding or bifold door 

why are bifold/folding doors not an accommodation

bc they remain in the door passage → takes up more space than a standard door

what is an advantage to bifold/folding doors

they do not swing into travel space

what can be replace for a 1×4 header

the 2×4 cripples

what does the door with the 1×4 header allow for

an opening that is 1.5” wider than original

in what increments are standard doors manufactured

2”

if you didn’t want to put a header what is the alternative replacement for the 2×4 cripples

angel brackets to support the header of the door way against the studs 

what does adding the angle brackets allow for

an opening 3” wider than original → allow for more access w/out disrupting existing wall surface

what is another alternative to widening the door

rebuilding the wall

what does rebuilding the wall for a wider door require

removing existing wall surface, replacing existing header w/ longer one, & replacing wall surface → MORE EXPENSIVE

pocket door 

slide directly back into the wall & do not leave any obstruction to travel 

is a pocket door more or less reconstruction that rebuilding the wall

more

what do the pocket walls NOT contain & meaning

plumbing or wiring → proportions of the floor and ceiling must be replaced to reroute

what can you do the handles of the door

use lever handles instead of knobs

what does the use of lever handles allow for

gross motor activity to open the door → require low force

door openers

if door is too heavy these allow for door to open independently to provide safe access

how should door openers be operable 

operable w/in the physical capacity of the client 

door openers installation

should not make door less useful for the able-bodied users

if door openers are on exterior doors what should still be considered

locking for safety/privacy

if someone has difficulty with a key what can be used instead of a key holder

a number pad lock → ex: radio code for client & normal key access for others

what do you have oi be mindful of for choosing floor and wall materials

too slick, too reflective, → solution is to refinish w/ lower gloss surface

what should you not to do floors after cleaning

buff them to reduce reflections

what should you use for floor and wall materials 

low glare waxes 

what type of flooring do you replace a low friction with

a type that provides traction

what is the upside and downside to carpet

good traction, trap allergies & hard to navigate in wheelchair or walker

what is the recommended carpet to use

low-cut or industrial type carpet 

moving wall required

removing wall surface, removing existing wall & corner studs

moving wall instillation

corner studs in new position and rebuild wall

what does moving a wall generally require

changes to the moved wall, all intersecting walls, and the floor and ceiling of the room involved 

if you are moving walls what should you avoid

any adaptation the required moving bearing wall

what is good t know about joists when wall is moved

they can typically break over walls so might be unsupported

what happens when you move a bearing wall

changes the dynamic of support for the upper structure & floor and ceiling may sag or “bounce” after move 

what should you keep in mind when moving a plumbing wall

they are much more expensive and time consuming to move

what can non-load bearing wall could contained if your trying to move a wall

could contain electrical wiring, and may contain plumbing vents as well

dining/living/family room

evaluate clutter and remove if possible 

what are common adaptation for a faucet

replace knobs with lever style

what are some common adaptation to a tube or shower

add grab bars → mounted into studs or blocking to secure

common bathroom adaptations to a shower door 

remove the sliding shower door with a curtain 

what should be noted when replacing a shower door with a shower curtain per ADA guidelines

ADA guidelines do not allow tracks in “accessible bathrooms” & they can also limit access by attendant when transferring

bath/shower stool

provide stable support, should be removable to accommodate other family members

tub benches

significant difference in cost btwn VNA Bench & top end padded benches w/ built in grab bars

what adaptation can be added to the toilet

support bars

support bars

Versa-frame mounts on bolts holding toilet seat in place, provide arm supports for push to stand transfers

what can a free standing frame also be used for 

can be converted to a bedside commode 

what is another toilet adaptation

raised toilet seat

standard height of toilet seat

15” → too low for comfortable transfer (most ppl)

what are some styles of raised toilet seat 

tallette & clamp mounted 

what can be considered for long term use

replacing toilet w/ raised height toilet → typically have long bowl design which means you need to make sure you order matching seat

what can you change the mirror to in the bathroom

a full length or angled mirror → those who are in a wheelchair can easily complete grooming task

what is a less common sink adaptation

replace vanity with corner sink → more space provided 

what can a tub be replaced with that’s less common

a roll in shower

roll in shower sill height

less than 1/2'“ to accommodate shower chair

what do roll in showers require

significant reconstruction of bathroom to remove existing tub, replace w/ shower pan & resurface walls

roll in showers

use pull around curtain to control splashing for privacy & entire floor space is now available for transfer/access

what is the optimum shower 

tapered floor w/ drain & tiled walls 

my space

a specific location in the house where they spend a great deal of time

my chair 

adult can have a favorit chair where they sit,read, watch tv, or talk 

what can happen with my chair

it can be too low to allow for easy egress when lower extremity weakness is present → don’t have to change chair but can do the height

my room

generally the room in which the person carries out their important roles in the family

ex of my room

office, hobby room, den 

what can you replace a kitchen faucet with

a lever style

what do you evaluate in the kitchen

storage of supplies and equipment → top selves out of reach = use lower selves for most used & very low cupboards inaccessible = move most used to higher shelves

what can be used in kitchen cupboards

lazy susan and pull out drawers to access the back spaces 

what should you evaluate the range and other appliances for 

where the controls are located → behind can be hazard → burns 

controls may be in pattern that does not clearly indicate which burner is controlled 

accommodations for range

flip top which accommodates cleaning by person win wheelchair

kitchen range adaptations

ceramic & induction tops allows cleaning of surface spills without having to learn around heating element