Wait…I’m going home? Things to know about getting into your front door.

This is a common, panicked reaction of MANY folks who are faced with returning to their homes after a rehab stay.  Whether you are getting to know your newly implanted hip, learning to get around on a walker, or now living life on 4 wheels, its all new.  And scary!

Going home to a “new normal” (thats what we in the rehab world call your new way of life) is a big step!  Congratulations!  And making that transition will require some planning.  There are some really good folks who can help you out in this process. (We will talk about the makings of a good transition team in a later post)  The earlier you can begin planning, the smoother things tend to go.

Today, we will talk about the basic things you want to consider for the day that you are going home!  This is basic stuff to help you get home and in the front door.  The rest will come later and should be in the planning stages with your team.

When going home, 1st imagine HOW you will get home.  Will it be by ambulance? Will a friend or family member pick you up in a private vehicle? EIther way, make sure you consider each step in getting you in and out of that vehicle.  Plan to have a walker, wheelchair, hoyer lift, or a strong beefcake to help you in and out if you need it.  If you will be using a hoyer lift, r a power wheelchair, think ahead about how to transport those items.    Some hoyer lifts can be broken down and stored in a trunk.  However, power wheelchairs cannot be transported in a standard vehicle.  You might want to consider a handicapped van in order to bring that power chair with you.

Then, you need to imagine where you will park this vehicle once you arrive home.  You will need clutter free and relatively flat, level ground from the vehicle to your door.  Do you have a driveway?  Is it wide enough to provide a flat, level space to place your wheelchair or walker on when you transfer out of the vehicle?  You will find that gravel, mud, grass, significant slopes, and uneven terrain will make your transition into the home almost impossible.  Think of this ahead of time.

This is no fun!

 

 

 

This is better!

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are several companies who will provide a quick setup of a temporary ramp in order to improve your safety into the home.

Something like this:

portable ramp

 

 

 

 

Or this…

Next, think about the structure of the entrance you will be using.  Most doors into the home have a step or large threshold that your must traverse in order to get into the home.  Consider choosing the door with the least amount of obstacles including uneven, challenging terrain and steps.  Also consider the WIDTH of the door, as well as the swing of the door.  If you are going home in a wheelchair, make sure you know the total width of the door before attempting to pass through it.  Trust me…it makes life so much easier!

Wheelchairs can vary in width depending on the type of chair as well as your body type.  If you use a manual wheelchair (one that you push yourself with the big back wheels) measure width from one hand rim to the other at the bottom of the wheel. If you are using a power chair, then determine the widest point on the chair.  That may be between the two back tires, or it could be between the 2 armrests.  How do you know?  Face the wheelchair as if the chair is traveling straight to you) and look to see what sticks out the farthest, the arm rest or the wheels? Then, measure the width of the door opening from the door jamb to the part of the door that is in the door way.

Like this..

Basically, just measure the open space that you have when you open the door all the way.  I strongly suggest getting these 2 measurements before leaving the hospital or rehab facility so that you have time to plan an alternative if your wheelchair is wider than your door opening.

Other things to consider are the number of doors at the entrance.  If you have have a main door as well as a storm or screen door, think about having someone with you to hold both doors as you traverse through the door way.  Some folks have temporarily removed the storm door make getting in and out a little easier.

So, these are a some of the BIG things to consider on your day of discharge.  Planning ahead will make your transition to home much more pleasant!

Do you have any specific questions about your particular situation?  Just click the little reply balloon in the right hand corner (near the top of this post) and post your question.  I will help you out with any advice I have.

Congratulations on going home!