In the United States, the population of people 65 years and older is ballooning. As of 2016, seniors numbered 46 million in America. Approximately 1.7 million of them are using mobility assistance in the form of a wheelchair or scooter, while 6.1 million others are using other mobility aids, such as canes or walkers.
If you are living with a senior who uses walking aids, you must examine entries, exits, stairs and other access areas of a prospective house when looking at Beverly real estate properties. Following are some to especially scrutinize.
Spacious Living Area
The house with the fewest walls and doorways usually poses the best accommodation for those using a wheelchair. An open floor plan is ideal in this case, but if you can’t find such a house, you need to at least make sure there are parts of the house lending to wheelchair access. If you choose a multi-storied house, a bedroom on the ground floor is best.
Simple House Design
To make life easier both for you and the senior in a wheelchair, the interior should be kept as simple as possible. Stairs are a mainstay in most homes. While you can’t eliminate them altogether, you can opt for houses with no half floors. If you have the budget for it, invest in a Beverly real estate property equipped with an automated stair-lift.
Wide Entrances and Hallways
Aside from stairs, entrances and hallways also adorn most homes. They also cost a lot of money to renovate. Therefore, it is smart to take a measurement of the wheelchair’s width to make sure it can fit comfortably through the doors and hallways of the property. Therefore, your loved ones can maneuver around the house by themselves without any assistance from your family member or a third party.
Smooth Floor Surfaces
Accommodating surfaces must be present both inside and outside your new home. A paved driveway will be much easier for a wheelchair to negotiate than other surfaces. Pebbles and debris can accelerate the wear and tear on a chair’s wheels. Inside, avoid homes with carpets, molding, and anything else that can impede the mobility of a wheelchair.
All of these elements are fundamental to the ease or difficulty a wheelchair user will experience in a new home. Check them off on your list as you look for Beverly real estate properties suitable for seniors using wheelchairs and other walking aids. Also, let your exclusive buyer’s agent know that you’re living with a senior so that he or she can winnow your choices down.
To better understand about Beverly real estate properties and homes for sale in the area, contact a professional exclusive buyer’s agent here at Buyer’s Choice Realty. Our Office: 978-468-2138.
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