It’s the holiday season, and no matter what holidays you’re celebrating, you may have family or guests coming to visit. If they have disabilities you may want to consider doing a few things to make it easier for them to have a good time too. The visit may be a short one, or they may be coming for an extended amount of time, but staying safe and enjoying your time together may be easier with a little forethought.
When people feel welcome in a space, they can relax and join in more fully. That is true for guests with disabilities, and it is true for everyone. A few small changes can make a big difference. You do not need to change your whole home. You can start with the spaces where people will spend the most time, like the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and dining area.
Make It Easier to Move Around
If your family member or guest uses a wheelchair, you might consider adding light switch extenders to the lights in the bedroom they’ll be using. Adding off-set hinges to the door so they can get their wheelchair through may make the bathroom or bedroom more accessible. Small threshold ramps can help those in a wheelchair get from room to room independently too.
These changes may sound small, but they can help someone get around without needing as much help. That can support both safety and dignity. A guest may feel more comfortable if they can reach the light switch on their own or move through a doorway without bumping into a tight space. If you are not sure what will work best in your home, DNL may be able to help you think through assistive technology items. Our services are free, and you can call Disability Network Lakeshore at 616-396-5326.
It can also help to clear paths before guests arrive. Move shoes, toys, bags, cords, and loose rugs out of walkways. If someone uses a walker, cane, or wheelchair, extra space makes it easier to move safely. Good lighting also matters, especially in hallways and near stairs. A simple lamp or brighter bulb can help reduce trips and falls.
Make Doors, Tables, and Eating Easier
Rubber grippers over doorknobs can make it easier for someone with arthritis to open doors, and using a lazy susan at the table may make it easier to serve everyone without the risk of dropping hot, heavy dishes. Using non-slip materials for table mats will help those who have difficulty with plates that slide while eating, and yet still look festive and nice.
These kinds of ideas can make meals feel less stressful. For someone with pain in their hands, a hard doorknob or a slippery plate can turn a simple task into a hard one. A gripper or a mat may seem like a small thing, but it can save energy for the parts of the day people enjoy most, like talking, eating, and being with family.
You might also think about where people will sit. Chairs with arms can help some guests sit down and stand up more easily. If someone needs extra space for a mobility aid, be sure there is room for that too. If you are serving a buffet, keep dishes close together and at a height that is easy to reach. If guests are carrying food, make sure the path is clear and not too crowded.
Keep the Bathroom Safer
Grab bars may seem a bit extreme, but consider that anyone can slip getting in and out of the shower or tub. Having a grab bar that’s strategically placed and anchored firmly in the wall will improve the safety of all users.
You may want to consider adding a riser to the toilet seat in your guest bathroom or even installing a rail around the toilet to keep guests from falling.
Bathroom safety matters because wet floors and tight spaces can be risky for many people, not just those with disabilities. If you can, use non-slip bath mats and keep towels within easy reach. Make sure there is enough light so guests can see where they are stepping, especially at night. If you have a guest who may need help but values privacy, a safer bathroom can also mean less worry and less asking for assistance.
Make Mealtimes Easier for Everyone
During meals, it might be helpful to have a rocker knife or two on hand for those who must eat one-handed. If your guests have arthritic hands, you might want to add some low-cost foam tubing placed over the handles of eating utensils to make them easier to hold.
Simple eating tools can help a person keep as much independence as possible at the table. A rocker knife can make cutting food easier for someone who can only use one hand. Foam tubing can make a fork or spoon easier to grip if hands are sore or weak. If you have never used these items before, it may help to try them out before guests arrive so you know where they are and how they work.
Speaking of mealtimes, instead of seating everyone at a large table this year, why not let people take their meals on trays where they can spread out a bit more? That way, you reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 among guests. And, keep a supply of extra masks on hand for company to use when they come over.
If you’re having extended family come to eat, strategically place bottles of hand sanitizer and boxes of tissues around the house for their use, and move chairs further apart for safer conversations.
These steps can help people feel more comfortable and also support health and safety during the holiday season. A tray may make it easier for someone to sit where they need to sit. Extra space between chairs can give people more room to move and talk without crowding. Hand sanitizer and tissues placed in more than one spot make them easier to use when people need them.
If you are hosting a long visit, think about snacks, drinks, and quiet breaks too. Some guests may need time away from noise, bright lights, or a busy room. A calm space with a comfortable chair can help people rest and return when they are ready. This can be useful for guests with sensory needs, chronic pain, or fatigue.
Plan Ahead for a Better Visit
Plan your holidays so everyone remains safe and has an enjoyable time this year. If you’d like help determining what assistive technology items might help in your home, please don’t hesitate to call Disability Network/Lakeshore at 616-396-5326. We’d be delighted to be of assistance and Happy Holidays!
A little planning now can prevent stress later. Before guests arrive, walk through your home and look at it from another person’s point of view. Ask yourself:
- Can people get through the doors and hallways easily?
- Are lights easy to reach and turn on?
- Can guests safely get into the bathroom and use it?
- Can everyone sit, eat, and move around with less strain?
- Are supplies like sanitizer, tissues, and extra masks easy to find?
You may also want to ask your guests ahead of time if they need anything special. Some people know exactly what helps them. Others may not think to mention it unless you ask. A simple question like, “Is there anything I can do to make your visit easier?” can open the door to a better experience for everyone.
Holiday gatherings should be about connection, comfort, and joy. With a few changes, your home can be a place where more people can take part safely and with less worry. And if you need support finding the right tools or ideas, Disability Network Lakeshore is here to help. Our services are free, and you can reach us at 616-396-5326.