A porch, a step or two, an uneven threshold – the smallest features can be the biggest barriers to accessibility for mobility devices. A home ramp can make your house an accessible safe haven for you and caregivers alike, and the options for assistance seem endless. As you search for the best-fit ramp for your home and needs, let these questions from EZ-ACCESS guide you:
What to Ask When Choosing a Home Ramp
1. What mobility device am I accommodating?
From temporary manual wheelchairs to three-wheeled scooters to four-wheeled complex power chairs, assistive mobility devices run the gamut. Ramps differ in material, weight capacity, and function, so begin your search with a list of your mobility device’s specifications handy to find the best fit ramp.
2. Is this a long-term living situation?
If your living arrangement looks stable for at least another year, investing in a free-standing ramp is your best option. Aluminum ramps are more durable and customizable than wooden options, and they’re more easily packed up in the event of a move. But, if a move to a more accessible home or assisted living facility is in the near future, a portable option might be enough to support you during the transition. Designed for transport, portable ramps are lightweight, foldable, and cost-efficient options that allow you to maneuver over thresholds and into vehicles with equal ease.
3. Do I have assistance from a partner?
If a caregiver is capable of helping you in and out of the house as needed, a portable ramp may suffice. However, if you live alone or if your caregiver isn’t physically capable of placing and removing a ramp as you come and go, a free-standing solution offers ease and peace of mind for both you and your partner.
4. Is the surface safe?
Rain and snow can create hazardous conditions for you or your caregiver as you’re propelled up a slope. A non-slip surface is a must for safety. Make sure your ramp’s design features either grooved surfaces or grip strips to provide traction as you go.
5. How long should it be?
A ramp that’s too short creates an incline that’s near impossibly to tackle. To check whether your selected ramp can cover your needs, take three measurements: the vertical rise from ground to threshold, the distance between the highest point and farthest and clearest point on your path, and the width of the desired location. Aim for a ramp incline ratio of 1:12 (one inch of height for every twelve inches of length). Try the EZ-ACCESS Incline Calculator for an easy assessment.
Our professionals at EZ-ACCESS are trained and ready to walk you through the ramp selection process, whether it’s your first time or your fifth. Let us know how we can help!