We have talked a lot lately about home accessibility and the challenges that face those that have limited mobility but wish to stay in their home. Up to this point, we’ve talked in generalities, using the term “limited mobility,” but now I’d like to focus on a disease that affects thousands in the real world: multiple sclerosis.
The symptoms of MS are caused by the immune system attacking the myelin (light gray) that protects the nerves (red).
Multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease in which the myelin sheaths covering nerve cells become damaged, resulting in slow or stopped nerve signals from inflammation from the body’s immune system attacking the nervous system. As MS progresses, the affected person most often loses control of their legs, and will more than likely have to use a wheelchair at some point. This is where home accessibility comes into play.
Wheelchairs provide unique challenges to a home as they require more space for turning and maneuvering. With that in mind, wide enough doorways for a wheelchair to fit through would be a good place to start. A minimum of 32 inches is needed.
Another item that could help, especially if you or your loved one must go up and down staircases in your home, is a stair lift. This allows for more independence and a safer transition between floors in your home for the MS patient and their caregiver.
A portable ramp would also be of great use, both for accessing your own home and homes of family members and friends that visit frequently. This would reduce the stressful situation of trying to pull a full wheelchair up the front steps.
MS, unfortunately, does not have a cure. However, life can be made as normal as possible by thinking about home accessibility logically. Find ways to increase space and reduce stress on the patient and the caregiver. Hammer Medical can help provide these solutions and more, and are proud to offer our equipment and services to those with MS or anyone that needs them.
Tags: accessibility, mobility, MS, multiple sclerosis