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The difficulties faced by those with special needs and the people who care for them are challenging even in the best of circumstances. Whether it is a parent caring for a physically handicapped child, elderly homeowners seeking to retain their independence, or children who are providing for their elderly parents while trying to raise their own children, everyone could use a little help. At Cogdill, our in-house design staff addresses your concerns by incorporating those little touches that tailor your home to you and your family’s special needs.
One story Living
Anyone who has ever tried to get upstairs to their bedroom when they had a broken foot will tell you that it is no easy task. So when stairs become the enemy, it is time to make sure the vital living areas of the home (kitchen, baths, and bedrooms) are on the ground floor so you can live without having to rely on hard-to-transverse stairways.
Wider doorways and hallways
Wheelchairs and walkers require space. To use these items comfortably, it is important to have doorways and hallways wide enough so that a wheelchair can pass through safely.
Wheelchair ramps for entry doors
Handicap ramps and entryways with no steps are crucial for easy wheelchair access to your home. And with a little planning at the design stage, these features can be incorporated easily.
Handicap showers
Showers designed for wheelchair access are also popular and smart for those with special needs. These showers are recessed or sunken into the slab and the concrete slab is sloped so that the wheelchair can enter the shower with a ramp instead of a step. Wheelchair features such as these are especially nice for those caring for an elderly parent and needing a mother-in-law suite.
Blocking in bathroom walls
Grab bars or hand rails are always handy in bath and shower areas to provide extra stability and prevent accidents from occurring. Before the walls get covered with gypsum board, have us install wood blocking so that handrails can be easily installed in vital areas of the home.
Lever door handles and rocker electrical switches
For homeowners with poor hand strength, lever door handles and rocker style electrical switches allow for greater comfort and ease of operation while also looking upscale.
Good Lighting
Bright lighting in walk-in closets, bathrooms, and closets are critical to preventing accidents. Also, bright open areas are typically more cheerful and uplifting than dark, cramped spaces.
Raised/wheelchair accessible bathroom vanity countertops
Raised vanity countertops prevent stooping and bending over unnecessarily, helping to prevent back injuries and possible slips and falls. Open faced wheelchair accessible vanities make living with a disability easier by allowing those with wheelchairs to access the sink and countertop without leaving their seat.
Mother-in-law/Father-in-law suites
Loss of independence can be difficult both for those older family members who are having to face hard choices in their lives and for those who love them. Children faced with the task of raising their own children and caring for the parents who raised them sometimes need a little help. Our in house design team has helped many clients by designing special suites complete with: separate handicap bathrooms, entry and exit doors, and even secondary kitchens and living rooms to give the elderly back their independence. The importance of a quality life does not diminish during the twilight years. It is our pleasure to ensure that this fact is not forgotten when your new home is designed with your needs in mind.
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