On Veterans Day, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible sacrifices made by those who have served our country. While parades and tributes are all well and good, one of the most meaningful ways we can show our appreciation, is by helping make sure our veterans can live at home with the comfort and dignity they deserve. For many, that means creating a living space that lets them live life on their own terms.

At Home Mobility Pros, we’re Rhode Island’s go-to team for making homes more accessible. We specialize in creating adaptive solutions that help restore independence and make life better for veterans who are living with mobility challenges.

Why Accessibility Matters for Veterans

For many veterans, living with mobility challenges is a harsh reality. It might be because of an injury they picked up in service, or a disability that’s developed over time. Or it might be just the natural process of aging catching up with them. The thing is, an accessible home is about more than just being able to get around. It’s about feeling in control, feeling safe, and feeling like you’ve got a good quality of life.

However, traditional homes can be a real barrier. Stairs can be a major obstacle, narrow hallways can make it hard to move around, and standard bathrooms can be a safety nightmare. These kinds of challenges can erode a veteran’s sense of independence and make everyday life a real stress. What we do at Home Mobility Pros is help to knock down those barriers, by turning what was once a source of frustration into a place of comfort and freedom.

Key Renovations for Veteran Independence

It’s all about making thoughtful changes to a home to give veterans the freedom they deserve. Here are some of the most impactful renovations that can make a real difference:

Accessible Bathrooms

The bathroom is one of the most common places for accidents to happen, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

• • Walk-in Tubs and Roll-in Showers: With these sorts of showers and tubs, you don’t have to worry about the high threshold of a standard tub anymore, which is a major tripping hazard. You can walk or use a wheelchair with ease.
  • Grab Bars and Non-Slip Flooring: Strategically placing grab bars to provide support by the toilet, in the shower, and by the tub, combined with non-slip flooring really does reduce the risk of falls.
  • Comfort-Height Toilets and Lever Faucets: Taller toilets are just easier to sit down on and stand up from, which can be a real strain on knees and backs. Lever faucets are just simpler to use for people with limited hand strength.

Entryway and Exterior Modifications

Getting in and out of the house is fundamental to independence.

• • Wheelchair Ramps and Threshold-Free Entries: Ramps give people using wheelchairs, walkers or scooters a safe way to get in and out of the house. Removing the threshold at doorways just makes it a smooth, trip-free entry.
  • Widened Doorways and Automatic Door Openers: Getting through doorways with mobility aids is just easier when they’re a bit wider. Having automatic door openers can be a real game-changer. No more struggling to get in because you can’t quite open the door.
  • Improved Lighting and Handrails: Having well-lit pathways and sturdy handrails along walkways and stairs is all about preventing falls, especially at night or in poor weather.

Interior Accessibility Enhancements

It’s not just the entryway that matters. The inside of the house needs to be just as accessible.

• • Stairlifts and Vertical Platform Lifts: For homes with multiple levels, stairlifts are a safe and reliable way to get between floors. Vertical platform lifts are another option that can accommodate people in wheelchairs.
  • Open Floor Plans: Pulling down non-essential walls just makes for more open and easier to move around living spaces. A perfect option for people using walkers or wheelchairs.
  • Lowered Countertops and Accessible Cabinetry: In the kitchen it’s all about making daily tasks like cooking and cleaning manageable from a seated position. We lower countertops and install pull-down shelving or pull-out drawers.

Smart Home Upgrades

Technology is all about making life easier. Here are some ways we can use it to enhance home accessibility and safety.

• • Voice-Activated Controls: Smart home systems like Amazon Alexa or Google Home let veterans control lights, thermostats and door locks with just their voice.
  • Emergency Alert Systems: Personal emergency response systems and fall detection technology are all about giving people peace of mind, knowing that help is just a button push away in an emergency.

Partnering with Veterans and Their Families

Navigating a home modification project can be a real challenge. However, you don’t have to do it on your own. There are financial assistance options out there to help cover the costs. We’re be happy to help you find out what’s available. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a range of grants, including:

• • Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant: For medically necessary improvements and structural alterations.
  • Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant: Helps veterans with certain service-connected disabilities build, buy or change their permanent home.
  • Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant: For veterans with specific service-connected disabilities to adapt a home they own or will own.

Our team here at Home Mobility Pros has some incredible experience working with veterans and their families to make their homes more accessible.

Why Choose Home Mobility Pros?

As a local team in Rhode Island, our goal is to serve our community with heart and a keen eye for getting things done right. We’re not just contractors, we’re certified accessibility experts with experience working specifically with veterans. We know what it takes to get the job done right and make sure our work is going to last, giving you long-term peace of mind and a sense of safety and dignity in the place that means the most to you.

Mobility Renovations That Help Veterans Live Independently

Supporting our men and women in uniform is a mission that goes year-round here. Our goal is to create an environment at home that gives veterans the chance to live life on their own terms. An accessible home is a beautiful way to give back and give someone a real gift of independence. If that sounds like something you or a loved one could benefit from, then take the first step and get in touch with us.

Contact Home Mobility Pros today for a no-charge consultation and let’s work together to create a space that shows service with a focus on safety and independence.