Ramp Installation for Seniors in Dallas: Everything You Need to Know
Are you currently facing the difficult decision of whether to move away from a well-loved, familiar home that isn't properly suited to your mobility needs? Hold on just a moment! Your local Dallas aging-in-place experts are here to help. You may be able to stay right where you want to live in comfort and safety with a few modifications, such as ramp installation for seniors.
The certified Dallas aging in place specialists at Melesh Construction Dallas are highly experienced with senior home modifications. In fact, that is our exclusive focus! Our team is trained to identify the modifications you need to make your home safe and comfortable, regardless of what mobility challenges you are facing.
If you are considering ramp installation for your home in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex or surrounding communities, you likely have some questions. Well, we have answers! Ramp installation for seniors with mobility issues can make a huge difference to your quality of life by improving mobility and independence—and lowering the risk of injury. This guide answers some of the most commonly asked questions about Dallas ramp installation services, so you can make an informed decision about what is best for your home and your life.
What Are the Advantages of Ramp Installation for Seniors in Dallas?
There are numerous benefits of ramp installation for seniors that range from the obvious to advantages you may not have considered. Customers who have had entryway modifications installed at their home tell us they have greatly improved their quality of life, and they feel relieved knowing that they can remain in their familiar home without sacrificing safety.
Here are a few benefits of ramp installation for seniors:
Improved Mobility
When it comes to Dallas ramp installation, ease of mobility is clearly the biggest benefit to wheelchair bound people and other individuals with reduced mobility. Whether you use a mobility scooter, a manual wheelchair, or another type of mobility device such as a walker, you need to be able to get in and out of your home all on your own, without having to give it a second thought.
Dallas ramp installation services are not just for increasing mobility outside your home either. Threshold ramps in interior doorways with a raised frame or lip, or over a step or two in a split-level house, can make it a lot easier to get around from room to room inside.
Increased Independence
No one enjoys feeling like they need to rely on others for everything, even something as simple as going outside to the garden to enjoy the weather and water the flowers. The majority of individuals with disabilities consider it very important to be able to go about their daily lives as independently as possible, whether they are at home or in an assisted living facility in Dallas.
Ramp installation for seniors gives you the freedom to easily make your way in and out of your home—or around your house indoors. If you're tired of feeling like you are imprisoned in your own home, waiting for someone to come along and help you up or down the stairs, you'll experience a profound sense of relief when you get your independence back by using a professional Dallas ramp installation service.
Safe Escape Routes During Emergencies
Having entryway accessibility modifications installed is a critical measure for home safety in Dallas, and not just because it helps you avoid accidental falls when navigating your home. In the event of an emergency such as a house fire, everyone needs to be able to immediately exit the building on their own to avoid smoke inhalation. Ramp installation gives those with reduced mobility an escape route that could make all the difference in an emergency situation.
Multiple Options Available
There are a variety of options available for different types of entryway accessibility modifications in Dallas, and the type that works best for you will depend on factors such as your unique mobility requirements, the layout and location of your home, and how you want to use the entryway in the future.
Common options include:
Permanent concrete or wood ramp installation
Portable units, which do not have railings but can be easily moved if necessary
Threshold ramps, for small inclines in doorways of around one to six inches
Modular units, which are usually made of aluminum or steel and can be either temporary or permanent installations
Not sure what is the best choice for you? No problem—our Dallas home accessibility specialists can complete a complimentary home assessment and give you advice on the best choice to suit your property and mobility needs.
Universal Convenience
While entryway modifications are meant to make life easier for those with reduced mobility, it is nice to know that they offer increased convenience for everyone. Friends and family members, care workers, furniture movers, and even emergency responders can take advantage of entryway modifications to move heavy or awkwardly shaped items quickly and easily.
Increased Property Value
This may seem surprising, but it is true. If you're thinking of selling your home in the next few years, high-quality, skilled ramp installation can actually increase your property value and raise the selling price of your home. It will go a long way towards convincing prospective buyers with mobility issues, or people who expect to have reduced mobility in the future, to seal the deal, because they won't have to worry about having modifications installed in the future.
Why Choose Melesh Construction for Dallas Ramp Installation Service?
At Melesh Construction Dallas, we focus solely on providing safety modifications for seniors. That means our skilled team is made up of specialists in ramp installation and other modifications that improve access for people with physical disabilities.
Melesh Construction Dallas is CAPS and CHAMP Certified, a NARI Professional, and a BBB A+ Accredited Business. We have the right equipment and years of experience with helping people just like you to remain in their familiar, much-loved home safely and comfortably, and are very proud of our reputation for delivering high-quality craftsmanship and customer care that goes above and beyond.
Is Dallas Ramp Installation Only for Wheelchair Users?
Absolutely not! If you find it uncomfortable or painful to use stairs, or you're concerned about the risk of falling, a ramp could be the perfect solution to make you feel safer and more at ease. Some people in Dallas are capable of walking with or without an assistive device, such as a walker, but find it difficult to lift their foot high enough to place it firmly on a stair. A ramp with a gentle incline will eliminate that problem, and also make it much easier for you to get wheeled items such as a walker or personal grocery cart into and out of your house.
Will Ramp Installation Reduce Curb Appeal in Dallas?
If your residential entry modifications are installed correctly, using the right material, and finished to your tastes and specifications, they will not harm your curb appeal in the slightest. In fact, it may even add to the appeal of your home. Consider having your accessibility construction specialist add a coat of paint in your favorite color, or a wood stain that matches the existing wooden elements of your house.
What If There Isn't Enough Room?
You may be concerned that there just isn't room between your house and the street, especially if there are obstacles such as trees or a driveway blocking the most logical path for ramp installation. The aging-in-place specialists at Melesh Construction Dallas have encountered this problem many times, and there is usually a way to make it work. That could include using a back or side door for the ramp installation or creating a path with a switchback or 90-degree turn.
Even if you're certain there is no way to get a ramp installed on your property, give us a call and book a complimentary home assessment. We will come out to your house, free of charge, and look for options that will make your Dallas ramp installation not only possible, but also convenient.
What Is the Maximum Slope for a Wheelchair Ramp in Dallas?
The standard slope for a commercial property or public facility is a ratio of 1:12, in inches. That means a slope that is one inch high must be 12 inches long, to create about five degrees of incline. However, residential Dallas ramp installation can go up to a ratio of 1:4, or about 15 degrees of incline. While helpful in areas with limited space, a slope of that steepness can be difficult for power scooters and motorized wheelchairs.
A typical incline for Dallas home ramp installation for seniors is around 10 degrees of incline, or a ratio of 1:6. It is a gentle enough incline for power scooters and manual wheelchair users to navigate easily and is also not too steep for those using walkers and other assisted-walking devices.
How Long Should a Ramp Be for 3 Steps?
That depends on how high your steps rise, but the standard is 7.5 inches per stair. So, if your three steps are 22.5 inches high, using the 1:6 ratio, that would mean that the ramp would need to be 11.25 feet long, which is slightly less than a 10-degree slope. Keep in mind that the unit does not necessarily need to be oriented in one long, straight line. It is possible for it to switch back on itself or turn 90 degrees, as long as there is enough room at the turning point for a wheelchair or motorized scooter to navigate easily.
Can I Still Keep My Entry Stairs If I Get Ramp Installation Services?
If you're worried about blocking off your entire exterior staircase, there are various solutions that may work to keep the stairs open while still increasing accessibility. If your stairs are double-wide, modifications could go up one side and leave the other as-is. A ramp could also terminate at the side of the step landing rather than the front, leaving the stairs available. Portable or temporary solutions may also suit your needs by providing access for mobility aids, while at the same time making it possible for the stairs to be exposed when they are needed.
What Else Do I Need for Entry Accessibility in Dallas?
While Dallas ramp installation is a key part of retrofit services that make your entryway safe and accessible, further adaptations for safety may be necessary or desirable as well.
Common modifications to entryways in Dallas include:
Upgrading outdoor lighting or installing additional lighting
Repairing wobbly, loose banisters or adding new handrails
Widening the doorway
Upgrading the type of door handle and/or lock to make them easier to operate
Lowering the peephole so it can be used from a seated position
Check out our entry accessibility page for more information.
How Much Does Ramp Installation Cost?
It is understandable that you want a clear answer on the financial cost of installation upfront, so you know how much you will need to budget. Because there are so many factors at play, such as the size and type of modifications that will be required to address your particular needs, we can't give you an accurate estimate until we've been able to assess your home in person. However, we do offer complimentary home assessments, so you can book an appointment and have a modification specialist from Melesh Construction Dallas evaluate your property for ramp installation, totally free of charge.
Does Medicare Pay for Ramp Installation for Seniors?
In most situations, Medicare will not pay for Dallas ramp installation services. However, it may be possible to get a Home and Community Based Services Waiver (HCBS Waiver), access assistance for veterans, or get some other type of assistance based on your income circumstances. The best course of action is to review your insurance plan and speak directly with an agent.
Need Dallas Ramp Installation for Seniors? Trust the Aging-in-Place Specialists at Melesh Construction!
If you want to know more about ramp installation for seniors, or any of the other aging-in-place renovations offered by the expert renovation specialists at Melesh Construction Dallas, give us a call.
Dial 972-866-7781 to chat with our friendly office staff and make an appointment for services, or to book a complimentary home assessment for mobility renovations.