How can I make my house more accessible to someone on crutches?
February 2, 2023 1:18 AM Subscribe
My wife had an accident the other day and as a result ended up with a fractured leg, and so she's now facing at least 6 weeks in a ski boot cast whilst she heals. What, aside from ensuring that the place is tidy, can I do to make the house more easily accessible for her?
My wife is able to get around on crutches, and I'm happy to help her as much as I can. We both work from home, which makes life easier.
However I've got responsibilities which will take me out of the house for a few hours to a day at a time, and I'd like to be sure that she has the easiest time possible whilst I'm away. We don't really want to start mounting extra handrails around the place, because this is a temporary thing, but any accommodations that we can make would be extremely helpful. She's a very independently-minded woman, and hates having to rely on me for things, and I'd like for her to be able to feel like she can largely manage on her own as much as possible.
The house is a two-storey early-eighties detached house in the UK. There's an upstairs bathroom and a downstairs w.c., but that has to be accessed through the kitchen and requires a couple of tight turns. The floors are either laminate or engineered wood, save for the stairs and landing, which are carpeted.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated
My wife is able to get around on crutches, and I'm happy to help her as much as I can. We both work from home, which makes life easier.
However I've got responsibilities which will take me out of the house for a few hours to a day at a time, and I'd like to be sure that she has the easiest time possible whilst I'm away. We don't really want to start mounting extra handrails around the place, because this is a temporary thing, but any accommodations that we can make would be extremely helpful. She's a very independently-minded woman, and hates having to rely on me for things, and I'd like for her to be able to feel like she can largely manage on her own as much as possible.
The house is a two-storey early-eighties detached house in the UK. There's an upstairs bathroom and a downstairs w.c., but that has to be accessed through the kitchen and requires a couple of tight turns. The floors are either laminate or engineered wood, save for the stairs and landing, which are carpeted.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated
Be religious about making sure there are no stray drops of water on the floors anywhere (obviously most likely near the kitchen and bathroom sinks) - crutches have little traction on wet laminate.
I found the wheelie office chair impractical for where I live, but was able to carry food and drinks around using a small plastic basket with handles - I'd hold the basket handles in my fingers while also gripping the crutch handle. In that, you'd want to use a flask for hot drinks, bottles for cold drinks, and lidded tupperware containers for meals (hot or cold). A tote bag would also work if you can't find a basket, but the hard-bottomed basket let me carry those tupperware meals upright, so minimised the chance of spills.
Try to picture how much movement is needed around the kitchen while making food, and minimise this. E.g, moving the kettle as close to the sink as possible. Kitchen roll that lives next to wherever she's going to eat, that kinda thing. You just want to minimise how much she's going to have to carry anywhere, particularly anything unwieldy.
Definitely grab a shower stool or bath seat, and you can get suction cup soap holders if needed to keep it at an accessible height.
Wishing her speedy healing!
posted by FifteenShocks at 2:27 AM on February 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
I found the wheelie office chair impractical for where I live, but was able to carry food and drinks around using a small plastic basket with handles - I'd hold the basket handles in my fingers while also gripping the crutch handle. In that, you'd want to use a flask for hot drinks, bottles for cold drinks, and lidded tupperware containers for meals (hot or cold). A tote bag would also work if you can't find a basket, but the hard-bottomed basket let me carry those tupperware meals upright, so minimised the chance of spills.
Try to picture how much movement is needed around the kitchen while making food, and minimise this. E.g, moving the kettle as close to the sink as possible. Kitchen roll that lives next to wherever she's going to eat, that kinda thing. You just want to minimise how much she's going to have to carry anywhere, particularly anything unwieldy.
Definitely grab a shower stool or bath seat, and you can get suction cup soap holders if needed to keep it at an accessible height.
Wishing her speedy healing!
posted by FifteenShocks at 2:27 AM on February 2, 2023 [3 favorites]
I would get a folding tall stool in the kitchen for cooking and washing up as it will get tiring standing with all her weight on one leg, and on the same idea, maybe one for the bathroom by the sink? Are there places to sit in every room?
posted by ellieBOA at 2:58 AM on February 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by ellieBOA at 2:58 AM on February 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
My friend found a knee scooter / knee walker far more comfortable to use than crutches. She could scoot around pretty fast on one. And a basket on the front made it easier to carry things.
It may depend on her injury though, so id check with a doctor before getting one.
posted by TheAdamist at 3:02 AM on February 2, 2023 [12 favorites]
It may depend on her injury though, so id check with a doctor before getting one.
posted by TheAdamist at 3:02 AM on February 2, 2023 [12 favorites]
I have been myself in a similar situation. The office chair on wheels was a godsend for me, but that was in a small space on one floor only.
Another helpful thing was a stool in the shower to sit down (with leg extended, leg in a knee brace not a cast but still I imagine with a cast it's not much difference for the purpose of showering?)
I also like the suggestion above to minimize the distance between stuff she'll need in the kitchen.
Can she get food deliveries while you're away, if she wishes to, is it practical for her to answer the door and get the stuff inside? That was another lifesaver for me, recovery was very tiring and I didn't have much energy to cook so getting food delivered was great.
Can't think of anything else out of the blue for now but will check back later
Best of luck to your wife in her recovery!
posted by bitteschoen at 3:22 AM on February 2, 2023
Another helpful thing was a stool in the shower to sit down (with leg extended, leg in a knee brace not a cast but still I imagine with a cast it's not much difference for the purpose of showering?)
I also like the suggestion above to minimize the distance between stuff she'll need in the kitchen.
Can she get food deliveries while you're away, if she wishes to, is it practical for her to answer the door and get the stuff inside? That was another lifesaver for me, recovery was very tiring and I didn't have much energy to cook so getting food delivered was great.
Can't think of anything else out of the blue for now but will check back later
Best of luck to your wife in her recovery!
posted by bitteschoen at 3:22 AM on February 2, 2023
Reconsider not putting at least a few grab bars in. My parents put them into our place for my grandparents, and we were all surprised how often everyone used them. Accessibility changes help everyone.
posted by rockindata at 3:26 AM on February 2, 2023 [15 favorites]
posted by rockindata at 3:26 AM on February 2, 2023 [15 favorites]
You don’t say how you typically handle household chores as a couple—laundry, cleaning, etc.—so I suggest that if you don’t already have a plan, consider getting groceries delivered if possible, takeout or ready-made dinners, and having someone in to do laundry and cleaning. I (also very independent) just came off crutches recently and those services were worth every penny so as not to see the house devolve into chaos while eating toast for dinner.
posted by scratch at 4:45 AM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by scratch at 4:45 AM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster:
posted by gmb at 4:56 AM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
You don’t say how you typically handle household chores as a couple—laundry, cleaning, etc.—so I suggest that if you don’t already have a plan, consider getting groceries delivered if possible, takeout or ready-made dinners, and having someone in to do laundry and cleaning. I (also very independent) just came off crutches recently and those services were worth every penny so as not to see the house devolve into chaos while eating toast for dinner.We've already got an established routine that's pretty adaptable: I do nearly all the cooking, my wife has hitherto done most of the cleaning, and we usually split the laundry. It's not a big change for me to take on the general house-tidying and cleaning. We already have most of our groceries delivered for convenience's sake.
posted by gmb at 4:56 AM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
My partner was on crutches with absolutely no weight bearing on one leg for 4 months recently (lolsob) and we got the following:
Rolling stool (office chair works but is bulkier and harder to maneuver)
Shower seat
Suction grab bars for the shower
Replaced the shower head with one that has a handheld attachment
A bag that attaches to the crutches for carrying phone, water bottle, snacks, meds, glasses
A tray for eating on the couch
Locking travel mug for coffee
There was an adjustment for both of us: me having to serve almost every need and bring his meals and snacks to him, him getting used to depending on me. He also showered less frequently (every other day instead of every day) because it was just so exhausting, and wore the loosest, comfiest of clothes because getting dressed was also a challenge. Ski boot cast should make that easier.
posted by misskaz at 6:30 AM on February 2, 2023 [4 favorites]
Rolling stool (office chair works but is bulkier and harder to maneuver)
Shower seat
Suction grab bars for the shower
Replaced the shower head with one that has a handheld attachment
A bag that attaches to the crutches for carrying phone, water bottle, snacks, meds, glasses
A tray for eating on the couch
Locking travel mug for coffee
There was an adjustment for both of us: me having to serve almost every need and bring his meals and snacks to him, him getting used to depending on me. He also showered less frequently (every other day instead of every day) because it was just so exhausting, and wore the loosest, comfiest of clothes because getting dressed was also a challenge. Ski boot cast should make that easier.
posted by misskaz at 6:30 AM on February 2, 2023 [4 favorites]
The slalom to the downstairs loo sounds iffy. Without everyone having a fit of the vapours, can I suggest sourcing a commode SheWee for her office and you empty the bucket.
posted by BobTheScientist at 6:34 AM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by BobTheScientist at 6:34 AM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Came in to say what rockindata says. If you have the budget consider grab bars and ramps, they really do help everybody, and can even prevent future injuries. A shower chair or stool is a must and I think they should be standard in all modern homes, they range in price but are almost always worth it. Being able to sit down in the shower is such a blessing of modern plumbing.
Any kind of storage cart on wheels will be helpful, since ts so hard to carry things on crutches. Those metal three tiered carts are pretty common now, and they’re extra good because they lift items up to a height where you don’t need to bend down to retrieve them, unlike something like a laundry basket with wheels or a foldable shopping cart. They are also just great storage pieces for a home, super flexible and can hold a surprising amount. You can keep one in the kitchen and she can gather ingredients onto the cart and take it elsewhere to do prep, place clean dishes on it and take them to where they are stored, put cooked food on it and take it to the table. The same versatility will apply to pretty much any room in the house, honestly, and when she is healed you can use the storage cart for a bunch more things like a planter or office organizer or garden helper or side table.
A bag she can wear on the front or the back will be good for taking things up and down the stairs. Consider a crossbody sling bag. Because our balance is so wonky with crutches it can be hard to tell which actions are doable with which kind of imbalances, so the ability to shift a bag from front to back, higher or lower, with just one hand, is great.
Instead of viewing increasing accessibility as something temporary like you’re viewing the change in your household responsibilities, try looking at it from the perspective of a future investment. We all become physically disabled eventually via old age, and while you may move house other people will move in and will appreciate changes you’ve made. And much like curb cuts, once you make changes for this situation you will probably find yourselves using those changes quite often regardless. With that mindset, look at your budget, resources, and starting points to determine what adjustments are the ones to invest in. Maybe a ramp at the front door is too much, but maybe making sure all the floors have beveled transitions so nobody goes pitching over because they caught their toe on a squared transition strip is achievable. Maybe handrails won’t work but putting down lots of nonslip rug pads will. No grab bar by the toilet, but a grab bar in the shower.
posted by Mizu at 6:46 AM on February 2, 2023 [4 favorites]
Any kind of storage cart on wheels will be helpful, since ts so hard to carry things on crutches. Those metal three tiered carts are pretty common now, and they’re extra good because they lift items up to a height where you don’t need to bend down to retrieve them, unlike something like a laundry basket with wheels or a foldable shopping cart. They are also just great storage pieces for a home, super flexible and can hold a surprising amount. You can keep one in the kitchen and she can gather ingredients onto the cart and take it elsewhere to do prep, place clean dishes on it and take them to where they are stored, put cooked food on it and take it to the table. The same versatility will apply to pretty much any room in the house, honestly, and when she is healed you can use the storage cart for a bunch more things like a planter or office organizer or garden helper or side table.
A bag she can wear on the front or the back will be good for taking things up and down the stairs. Consider a crossbody sling bag. Because our balance is so wonky with crutches it can be hard to tell which actions are doable with which kind of imbalances, so the ability to shift a bag from front to back, higher or lower, with just one hand, is great.
Instead of viewing increasing accessibility as something temporary like you’re viewing the change in your household responsibilities, try looking at it from the perspective of a future investment. We all become physically disabled eventually via old age, and while you may move house other people will move in and will appreciate changes you’ve made. And much like curb cuts, once you make changes for this situation you will probably find yourselves using those changes quite often regardless. With that mindset, look at your budget, resources, and starting points to determine what adjustments are the ones to invest in. Maybe a ramp at the front door is too much, but maybe making sure all the floors have beveled transitions so nobody goes pitching over because they caught their toe on a squared transition strip is achievable. Maybe handrails won’t work but putting down lots of nonslip rug pads will. No grab bar by the toilet, but a grab bar in the shower.
posted by Mizu at 6:46 AM on February 2, 2023 [4 favorites]
Forearm crutches, as discussed on this post on the Blue.
posted by deludingmyself at 6:54 AM on February 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by deludingmyself at 6:54 AM on February 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Minor things, but keep an eye out for what she needs next to the chair or bed or couch. Like: check to make sure the kleenex box, remote control, a pencil, a cup of water, etc. are always at hand. Check in often to offer a snack or a cup of tea.
posted by Dashy at 7:31 AM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Dashy at 7:31 AM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
If the upstairs is easier for her to navigate/be comfortable in, could you get a mini fridge and small microwave so she could eat up there? (Or whatever device makes sense there), and so she doesn't have to go up and down stairs for a snack or meal.
(If she wants to spend most of her time downstairs, that's a different problem.)
posted by jenettsilver at 8:17 AM on February 2, 2023
(If she wants to spend most of her time downstairs, that's a different problem.)
posted by jenettsilver at 8:17 AM on February 2, 2023
Best answer: What misskaz said about a bag. Fanny packs/waist packs can be good for this too.
Super-big agree with Dashy. It can be so hard to ask for help in this situation.
When it comes to tidying, I have two specific suggestions. (1) There can never be few enough things on the floor. Like, whatever her crutching width is, wider is (in my experience) better. (2) Avoid leaving things on the floor that seem small but are a big deal if a crutch hits them—esp. things likely to slip. A random nylon pack strap or whatever can be a real problem on slick floors — which, thankfully, your stairs are not.
posted by cupcakeninja at 8:43 AM on February 2, 2023
Super-big agree with Dashy. It can be so hard to ask for help in this situation.
When it comes to tidying, I have two specific suggestions. (1) There can never be few enough things on the floor. Like, whatever her crutching width is, wider is (in my experience) better. (2) Avoid leaving things on the floor that seem small but are a big deal if a crutch hits them—esp. things likely to slip. A random nylon pack strap or whatever can be a real problem on slick floors — which, thankfully, your stairs are not.
posted by cupcakeninja at 8:43 AM on February 2, 2023
Remove area rugs. A cast cover for the shower as well as the stool and extended shower head (there are some that come with a suction cup holder that allows the shower head to be held nearby when you need your hands).
I know the ski boot is removable for showering but if there is a wound underneath, it should not get wet and the cast cover keeps that from happening. Body wipes and dry shampoo are good if she wants to go a little long between full showers.
I found the suction-cup grab bars unreliable. Permanent grab bars are not a bad addition to any shower as slipping and falling can happen at any age. They need to be screwed into the studs, not just the wallboard.
Seconding a rolling stool for the kitchen--it will make life easier.
posted by agatha_magatha at 9:01 AM on February 2, 2023
I know the ski boot is removable for showering but if there is a wound underneath, it should not get wet and the cast cover keeps that from happening. Body wipes and dry shampoo are good if she wants to go a little long between full showers.
I found the suction-cup grab bars unreliable. Permanent grab bars are not a bad addition to any shower as slipping and falling can happen at any age. They need to be screwed into the studs, not just the wallboard.
Seconding a rolling stool for the kitchen--it will make life easier.
posted by agatha_magatha at 9:01 AM on February 2, 2023
For carrying mugs of hot beverages, here's one solution. The EquipMeOT instagram account has a ton of other helpful items to make life easier. She's on TikTok, too, if you prefer that platform. There might be some other helpful items.
posted by hydra77 at 9:27 AM on February 2, 2023
posted by hydra77 at 9:27 AM on February 2, 2023
Best answer: Bars and rails will help you too - they are incredibly helpful, more than you would expect. When you're sick, or just tired, or if you have little kids around, everyone can sometimes use a little extra something to hold on to while balancing. Please reconsider the accessibility tools - they are fairly inexpensive and much more generally useful than you think.
posted by epanalepsis at 9:57 AM on February 2, 2023
posted by epanalepsis at 9:57 AM on February 2, 2023
Following your update it might be worth getting a weekly cleaner for the 6 weeks, you will have a lot more on your plate while you’re being there for your wife and taking some of the cleaning workload away will make things less stressful.
posted by ellieBOA at 10:43 AM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by ellieBOA at 10:43 AM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
There are suction-cup mounted grab bars for showers, I have used them and they stick well if you have a smooth surface to work with. All of the accessibility, none of the wall holes
posted by momus_window at 11:35 AM on February 2, 2023
posted by momus_window at 11:35 AM on February 2, 2023
Yes to forearm crutches, as mentioned above, no to torture American crutches. (But you're in the UK, so maybe those are the default choice?)
posted by nosila at 1:00 PM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by nosila at 1:00 PM on February 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I relocated dining room chairs to places I would normally stand and wait for a few minutes. One in the kitchen between the stove and microwave to use while cooking, another in the bathroom so I could sit while brushing my teeth.
posted by A Blue Moon at 6:40 PM on February 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by A Blue Moon at 6:40 PM on February 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks everyone for your ideas. I can tell from the last 48 hours that the hardest part of all this is going to be getting my wife to accept my help and / or agree to me adding grab rails of any sort. Hopefully I’ll be able to convince her or it’s going to be a very long recovery for her indeed.
posted by gmb at 4:01 PM on February 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by gmb at 4:01 PM on February 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
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