As our loved ones age or develop disabilities, it becomes increasingly important to make our homes more accessible and comfortable for them. With a fe w adjustments and modifications, you can create a safe and welcoming environment that promotes independence and improves their quality of life. In this blog post, we will discuss some practical tips on how to make your home more accessible for seniors and individuals with disabilities. 1. Install ramps and handrails: Start by assessing the main entry points of your home. Installing ramps, especially at the entrance, can greatly ease accessibility. Additionally, placing sturdy handrails on both sides of staircases and hallways will provide support and prevent accidents. 2. Widen doorways and hallways: To accommodate wheelchairs and walkers, consider widening doorways and hallways. The standard door width of 30 inches may not be enough for easy maneuverability, so expanding to at least 36 inches can make a significant difference. 3. Remove barriers: Eliminate obstacles such as loose rugs, clutter, and furniture that may impede movement. Opt for non-slip flooring or secure rugs in place to prevent falls and accidents. It’s essential to create a clear and unobstructed path throughout the house. 4. Adjust countertop heights: Lowering the height of countertops in the kitchen and bathroom can greatly enhance accessibility. Seniors and individuals using wheelchairs will find it easier to reach for items without straining or risking injury. Installing pull-out shelves and drawers can also provide better visibility and organization. 5. Install grab bars and shower seats: In the bathroom, install grab bars near the toilet and inside the shower or bathtub. These bars provide stability and support, especially when getting up or sitting down. Adding a sturdy shower seat can also aid in bathing and reduce the risk of falls. 6. Improve lighting and visibility: Adequate lighting is crucial, as it can enhance visibility and prevent accidents. Install bright, energy-efficient lights in all areas of your home, ensuring that switches are easily reachable. Consider adding motion sensor lights in hallways and bathrooms for added safety during nighttime. 7. Create a safe bedroom: Arrange the bedroom to suit the specific needs of the seniors or individuals with disabilities. Ensure that the bed is at a convenient height, with easy access from both sides. Install accessible light switches near the bed and provide nightstands or tables within reach. 8. Consider assistive devices: Assistive devices such as handheld showerheads, raised toilet seats, and stair lifts can greatly improve accessibility in specific areas of the house. Evaluate the specific needs of your loved ones and explore suitable assistive devices that can make their lives easier. 9. Encourage accessibility outside: Extend your efforts to making the outdoor spaces of your home accessible as well. This includes creating smooth and safe pathways, installing adequate outdoor lighting, and providing comfortable seating options. A well-maintained garden or backyard can create a peaceful and enjoyable environment for seniors and individuals with disabilities. 10. Seek professional advice: If you are unsure about the best ways to make your home more accessible, consider consulting with a professional Occupational Therapist. They can conduct a comprehensive assessment of your home, provide personalized recommendations, and guide you through the modification process. By implementing these modifications and adjustments to your home, you can greatly improve the accessibility and overall comfort for seniors and individuals with disabilities. A safe, accessible, and inclusive environment will not only promote their independence but also enhance their well-being and happiness.

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Seasonal Concerns in Colorado 300 days of sun sounds great, but does it mean you don’t have to worry about the weather at all in Colorado? Yes, but be sure to bring layers wherever you go! Should you be just as carefree about the weather when it comes to your home? Nope. Your home is a valuable asset and at times, weather conditions can be quite damaging. From cold winters to summer fires, it’s important to protect your home from the ever-changing Colorado weather. Below are some common seasonal concerns that you, as a Colorado homeowner, should have on your radar during the changing seasons. SPRING Spring brings many positives: milder temperatures, blooming flowers, and fresher air. But if you live in Colorado, severe hail storms are quite common during the spring. Did you know that Front Range Colorado is called the Hail Capitol? That’s because Colorado Springs to the Denver metro area gets more severe hail events than anywhere else in the county, with an average of 13 hail storms per year. And due to Colorado’s high elevation, hail hits faster and harder than it does at lower elevations. This can cause severe damage to your Colorado home. PROTECTING YOUR HOME FROM HAIL DAMAGE While you can’t control the weather, you can help control the possible damage done to your home. Below are some steps you can take to protect your home from hail damage: Invest in hail-resistant roofing. Placing impact-resistant materials onto your roof can help protect your roof from hazards like high winds and hail. Use storm shutters. Securing your windows with storm shutters can prevent a hail storm from causing chips, cracks, and gaping holes in your windows. Bring outdoor items inside. Grab up outdoor items such as glass tables, lawn furniture, umbrellas, and trash receptacles and bring them indoors. Get homeowner’s insurance. While it may seem obvious, having homeowner’s insurance is very important to ensure your home is covered in the event it is damaged by unforeseeable events like hail storms. SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING HAIL STORM To protect your home from hail damage, you must know the signs of a possible hail storm. The signs include: Weather report warnings Gray clouds Rain Thunder and/or lightning Sudden temperature drops Cold fronts If your roof has been damaged by a hail storm, we’re here to help. At JHSAI, we can connect you with experienced roofers that will repair the damaged portions of your roof and make it look good as new. If the damage is too extensive, they will replace your entire roof! SUMMER Summers in Colorado are mild and often pleasant, with temperatures rarely going above 80 degrees. However, due to the dry climate and sometimes high temperatures, wildfires can develop. Once a wildfire has started, it spreads quickly to brush, trees, and homes. SIGNS OF A WILDFIRE It’s often difficult to predict wildfires due to their erratic behavior. According to weather.gov , the characteristics of a wildfire are: Moving fast: High rate of spread Prolific crowning and/or spotting Presence of fire whirls Strong convection column Below are favorable conditions for the start and spread of wildfires, also known as “fire weather”: Warm temperatures Wind Low relative humidity Lack of recent rainfall Drought conditions Dry thunderstorms Lightning strikes PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY FROM WILDFIRES While you can’t predict the start of a wildfire, you can help protect your home from being damaged by one. Below are some tips to follow: Create defensible space. The phrase “fuel to the fire” is fitting when it comes to wildfires. They spread from fuel such as landscaping, woodpiles, decks, etc. Doing things like keeping your trees and shrubs pruned and moving firewood 50 feet away from your home can help prevent the spread and reduce the severity of wildfires. Use nonflammable materials. Certain types of materials such as stucco, stone, brick, non-combustible roofing, spark arresters, and double-paned or tempered glass on your home’s exterior can help defend your home against wildfires. Create a plan. Put together an emergency kit and create a plan for your family by identifying escape routes and designating an emergency meeting place. Disasters happen. A fire can strike at any given time and/or area, without warning. If your home has sustained damage from a wildfire, we can help restore your home to its original condition. When you undergo our Fire Damage Restoration Process, our skilled technicians will come out to your home and: Assess damage and analyze your property and possessions. Remove water due to open areas caused by fire. Minimize the risk of mold due to moisture. Secure your home to prevent theft and further structural damage. Remove your possessions and store them in our secured, temperature controlled facility. Remove soot and smoke from your possessions. Repair and restore your home. Clean and disinfect the basic structures of your home. FALL Once fall arrives, you now have cooler temperatures, a great relief from the summer heat. As a resident of the state, you’ve likely witnessed the greenery transform into beautiful autumnal colors: gold, red, orange, brown, and even purple. Along with the cooler weather and colorful trees and mountains, comes plentiful rain. During autumn, Colorado experiences above average precipitation statewide. This increases the chance of flooding in rivers and streams, which can reach homes. Boulder is one of Colorado’s most flood-vulnerable communities as it’s situated at the mouth of a canyon. SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING FLOOD To protect your home against the flood, you should be aware of the possible signs: Intense rainfall Dam or levee failure Early snowmelt Slow-moving storms Flood-watch or flood-warning Pooling water PROTECTING YOUR HOME FROM FLOODS Below are some ways you can avoid or minimize damage to your home caused by a flood: Safeguard in-home electrical systems. Place switches, sockets, circuit breakers, and wiring at least a foot above the expected flood level in your area. Modify your water valves. Doing so will prevent sewage from backing up into your home. Determine how water flows around your home. The elevation of your property can determine whether or not your home will flood with water. If your home wasn’t built so that water drains away from your house, you may consider raising it on stilts or piers. You should also learn where the shut-off valve is for water. If your home has been flooded and has experienced extensive water damage, we can help! Whether you have carpet or hardwood floors, we can remove water from your home and help prevent mold growth. If your home has experienced extensive damage from a flood, we can help repair and rebuild your home. WINTER From the breathtaking view of the high, snow-capped mountains to cozy mornings in front of the fireplace, winter is the most wonderful time of the year. Most Colorado residents welcome snowfall, except when it gets too high, making travel difficult. That’s not the only unpleasant consequence of heavy snowfall. The other one? Leaking roofs. Heavy snowfall coupled with other factors such as poor insulation can cause your roof to leak. A leaking roof can lead to other problems such as water damage, mold, swollen walls and drywall, and cracked structures. SIGNS OF A LEAKING ROOF Don’t know if your roof is leaking? Here are some possible signs: Brown water stains on the ceiling Mold growth Loose shingles Rotten wood eaves Leaks around chimney flashing Sagging ceilings PREVENTING ROOF LEAKS In Colorado, the main cause of a leaking roof is heavy snowfall. Below are various ways you can prevent roof leaks: Get regular roof inspections. A trained professional can spot the early signs of a roof leak, and thus, prevent possible damage. Remove snow. When snow accumulates on your roof, it can cause a potential hazard. Regularly removing snow can prevent buildup that can cause a leak. Maintain gutters. Gutters that are full of debris can cause water to back up under your roof shingles, resulting in a possible leak or water damage. Seal any visible leaks. Sealing minor leaks, especially around chimney flashings can prevent major leaks and resulting damage. If your home is experiencing a leaking roof, we don’t offer roof repairs as part of our services. However, we can assess the internal damage beyond the obvious roof issues. Our highly skilled contractors will repair any structural damage done to your home and remove any mold to prevent it from spreading to the rest of your home. If you have any seasonal concerns about your Colorado home, contact Jarhead Handyman Services and Inspections today! Service Areas: Boulder County Denver Metro Pueblo County El Paso County Teller County Steven Beneda 719-453-2105 https://jhsai.net Steve.jhsai@gmail.com Jarhead Handyman Services and Inspections

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High-quality handyman services and inspections by experienced contractors DOING IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME EVERY-TIME! The contractors at Jarhead Handyman Services and Inspections understand the importance of adhering to the highest quality standards in every project we take on. Hey, check out my website, "Jarhead Handyman " with this link: https://jhsai.net Steven 719-453-2105 Steve.jhsai@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554992445233&mibextid=ZbWKwL