There’s No Place like Home for the Holidays

The first important tip to keep in mind is that you don’t need to remodel your entire home to make it accessible to your guests. That thought alone would sway most homeowners from inviting special guests over. Rather, concentrate on the four areas they will be frequenting most: the entryway, hallways, bathroom, and dining room.

* Entryway

Before you welcome guests into your home, you have to make sure they can enter easily. If it will be dark when your guests arrive, illuminate the pathway or sidewalk to your entryway. Solar lighting and/or pathway lighting is easy to install and provides excellent lighting. It is also helpful to shine a floodlight onto your front door, so guests can quickly see the main entry to your home.

The pathway to your home should not only be well lit, but easy to navigate. Prune shrubs and trees, and clear any debris that might make the pathway difficult to use -- especially for guests in a wheelchair or using a walker or cane. In addition, clear any branches or trees which may hang over the pathway. If inclement weather is expected, be sure to shovel and heavily salt the area to prevent any slips or falls.

The doorway itself should be accommodating to most guests, as a wheelchair can roll in easily through a doorway with 32 inches of clear space. However, leave extra space inside and outside your front door to allow for a cane, walker or wheelchair. According to www.aarp.org, the area should measure at least 5 feet by 5 feet.

* Hallways

Once inside, you should continue to make your guests feel at home. And the best way to do that is to make the hallways to critical areas (such as the kitchen, bathroom and dining room) easily accessible.

For guests in wheelchairs or with a walker, make sure to clear a pathway that is 32 inches wide. Clear any electrical cords and clutter from the area so it is easy to navigate. In addition, area rugs should be moved (as they can often become slippery) or secured to the floor with non-skid tape.

If it is necessary for your guests to take a step down to a hallway from the foyer, you may consider purchasing a small ramp. If this is not possible, consider having your guests enter through another area of the home, such as the garage or a side entrance, so they will feel most comfortable.

* Bathroom

More accidents happen in bathrooms than in any other area of the home -- so this is an area that deserves extra attention. Plus, it’s an area most guests will visit, so it should be easily accessible.

One of the first areas to consider is the toilet. Whether your guests are pregnant or possibly in a wheelchair, the height of a toilet seat can affect its ease of use. For guests with special needs, it may be easier for them to sit and stand from a toilet seat that is elevated, as increasing the height of a toilet seat aids in the comfort and safety of those who have arthritis or have a hard time bending or sitting. An elevated toilet seat is perfect for decreasing stress on the legs, knees, and back.

Fortunately, the design of elevated toilet seats has come a long way in recent years. One such model is the Locking Elevated Toilet Seat from Creative Specialties International, a division of Moen Incorporated. This ADA-compliant seat hooks easily onto the bowl via a bracket so the elevated seat sits naturally on the toilet rim, raising the seat higher than the standard 14 to 15 inches off the floor. Featuring a contoured design, the elevated seat looks like a natural extension of the toilet.

“When we took a look at other elevated toilet seats on the market, we found that most featured a blocky, obtrusive, and institutional-looking design that was an obvious call-out in the bath,” says Kevin Jones, Brand Manager of the Home Care by Moen bath safety line. “We didn’t want that look for our Locking Elevated Toilet Seat. Our design is more contoured, so it has a seamless look from the toilet to the extension, fitting more naturally into the décor of any bath.”

The seat easily snaps into place with a unique bracket that locks securely for use and can be removed quickly when not needed. This makes it perfect for use during the holidays and other times guests requiring it visit, without necessitating permanent modification or a lengthy installation process.

Beyond the toilet, it’s also important to move any throw rugs which aren’t slip-resistant. And make sure to keep necessary items, such as soap dispensers and hand towels, close to the edge of the countertop -- making it easier for guests to reach them from a seated or standing position.

* Dining Room

Finally, focus your efforts on the room behind the invitation in the first place -- the dining room. After all, at the holidays, one of the primary reasons guests are invited over is to enjoy a special meal together . . . and more often than not, this event will take place in the dining room.

To make guests feel at home in this room, consider the number of guests and any special accommodations they may need. Leave extra room -- both behind the table and at each place setting -- for pregnant guests or those in a wheelchair or with a walker. For those in a wheelchair, also put each place setting closer to the edge of the table -- in a linear format parallel with the edge of the table -- so it’s easier for guests to reach wine or water glasses and additional cutlery.

An often overlooked area in a dining room is lighting. While candlelight can set the mood for a beautiful evening, it can also prohibit guests with poor eyesight from seeing their plates -- or other guests at this special time. It’s okay to keep the candles burning; however use a secondary light source, such as a chandelier (even on a low light setting with a dimmer) to provide additional lighting at the table.