Not all homes are designed with accessibility in mind. 

Some people need adjustments made to their property so that they can remain independent and live a fulfilling life. Home adaptations help make a home usable and comfortable for everyone there.

But what do we mean by ‘home adaptations’, and are they right for you?

All About Home Adaptations

The term home adaptations covers a broad spectrum of changes you can make to a property to increase its accessibility and make it more suitable for the occupants who reside there. 

Some adaptations are straightforward and can be managed by the occupant or their loved ones, but some larger or more complicated changes require professional input and take a longer time to execute. 

The reasons for requiring changes to a home are just as broad as the changes themselves. At JFG, we have worked with individuals in many circumstances, from those who have lifelong health conditions to survivors of accidents who are adapting to life changes.

No two people’s situations are the same, and the adaptations an individual requires are unique to their needs.

The Role Of A Home Adaptations Contractor

Whilst some home adaptations can be implemented or fitted by someone adept at DIY, other modifications need experts on the job. And those experts are home adaptation contractors. 

The John Ford Group is one of the UK’s leading home adaptations contractors. We specialise in transforming homes to perfectly suit the people living in them and have a long history of doing just that. 

At the John Ford Group, we help our clients understand the current challenges they face in their property. Working closely with the occupant, their family and their occupational therapist, we work out what home adaptations solutions are both needed and achievable to improve independence and happiness in the home without it feeling clinical. 

We are so good at what we do because we know what it feels like to watch someone’s needs change. When our founder, John, lost his mum, his dad’s health declined very quickly. In order for him to remain living independently, John and his family needed to carry out various adaptations to the property, including a level access shower and a ground-floor bedroom. 

Every single member of the John Ford Group team holds what they do close to their hearts and is fully invested in every client, ensuring the changes made are right for their needs.

Home Adaptations: What Might They Be?

Not all adaptations will suit a loved one or client’s situation because adaptations are needs-based. To find out what to prioritise, an occupational therapist will carry out an assessment to help decide which adaptations are most vital. 

You can, of course, add to this, but where financial help is available for OT-advised adaptations, it might be necessary to privately fund any extra changes. 

Some of the most common adaptations we offer are…

Ramps & Lifts

Ramps and lifts help to improve access to a property and within it. 

• Wheelchair ramps. From temporary, portable wheelchair ramps to modular ramps, installing a ramp can vastly improve the safety of getting in and out of a property where there are steps or steep slopes.

• Step lifts. These are platform lifts which move users a short distance, such as between split-level rooms and up a couple of external steps to the front door. 
• Stairlifts. Unlike step lifts, stairlifts transport users up a whole flight of stairs. 

Bathroom Modifications

Bathrooms can present a range of hazards for people with limited mobility. The most common bathroom adaptations we make include:

• Adding a level access shower. Sitting flush with floor-level, accessible showers remove the risk of trips and falls.
• Adding a ground floor wet room. Wet rooms are entirely waterproof spaces with a non-slip floor, accessible shower and toilet. Installing one on the ground floor means users don’t need to travel between floors to use the bathroom.
• Replacing a standard bath with an accessible bath. Rather than stepping into an accessible bath, users can walk or wheel themselves in and remain seated for the duration. 
• Installing a temporary shower pod. Shower pods are short-term use structures which can be erected pretty much anywhere. They comprise a shower tray floor, completely waterproof walls and ceiling and bifold doors, and provide personal care facilities in properties where occupants cannot access upstairs bathrooms. 

Kitchen Adaptations

The kitchen is the hub of the house, and it must be usable for occupants with limited mobility who wish to remain at home. Here are the most important changes we make for our clients:

• Adjusting or replacing worktops. Whether it’s lowering a counter or swapping in height-adjustable worktops, we regularly change this kitchen feature so that users can better reach without straining.
• Changing the layout. Making modifications to the space so that facilities like stovetops, fridges and sinks are in logical places reduces the amount users need to travel carrying hot, heavy or awkward items. 
• Improving the storage. Pull-down baskets in high cupboards, lazy Susan corner units and glide-out shelves all help occupants reach kitchen items more easily. 

Around The Home

There are transformative changes that can be made throughout a property to make it more inclusive, including:

• Widening doorways. This is crucial for wheelchair users but also helpful for other occupants, not to mention it makes a property feel more spacious. 
• Improving lighting. LED strips along stair treads and hallways, spotlights above kitchen countertops, and even motion sensor lights are all regular changes we make for our clients.
• Project managing and delivering house extensions. Many properties don’t have a ground-floor bathroom or the space to create a bedroom downstairs, so it can be necessary to build a new extension to accommodate the changes. 

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is a water therapy where specific exercises are carried out in warm water. It has been proven to alleviate pain and tension and improve muscle strength and circulation, among other benefits. 

Access to public hydrotherapy pools has dwindled, and the John Ford Group regularly take on installation projects for domestic properties so that users can access therapy regularly.

The Benefits Of Home Adaptations

Let’s look at the advantages of making a home more accessible.

Improved Access

This one’s obvious! The addition of home adaptations means users can physically access all parts of the property they live in. This often makes the difference between having to stay in a hospital or another care facility and being allowed to live at home. 

Independent Living

Home adaptations facilitate healthy, safe independence in the home, providing users with the freedom and autonomy to perform everyday tasks confidently. 

Enhanced Quality Of Life

For individuals requiring better accessibility, home adaptations improve the day-to-day experience to no end. 

When the patient or client is a child, home adaptations make it easier and safer for the child to use facilities around the house, in turn easing the pressure on and worries from parents and carers. 

Safer

An accessible home is safer for people with reduced mobility levels. 

Ensuring a home features appropriate adaptations can mean a quicker hospital discharge, meaning older people and individuals recovering from illness and injury can return or remain where they feel most comfortable. 

Are Home Adaptations Right For You?

If you live with someone with reduced mobility and need to make changes to your home to enhance their safety, independence and comfort, the answer is yes.

Not sure which adaptations should take priority? Got a particular project in mind, but not sure what products are out there? See our website to get in touch and chat with our friendly team of experts.