Page 97 - LIVESTRONG Digital Guidebook
P. 97
Making Changes
to Your Home
A cancer patient may benefit by making certain physical changes to his or her home. These changes
(also called accommodations) can make life easier and safer during and after cancer treatment.
CHANGES TO A HOME YOU OWN that might be made to your home to help meet your
needs. They generally do not sell products or charge
Some changes are easy to make. If you or loved ones a fee for their services.
own the home in which you live, it may be possible to
make bigger changes. To find a state-by-state listing of Centers for
Independent Living go to ilru.org/html/publications/
Changes that might be helpful include: directory/index.html.
• Easy-to-reach clothing rods in closets
• Cordless phone or speaker phone MAKING CHANGES TO RENTAL PROPERTY
• Kitchen appliances and sinks set up
for easy access State or federal laws may apply to you if cancer has
• Bed at the right height for transfers caused a disability. The Americans with Disabilities
• Carpeting or floor surface that is easy to walk Act (ADA) is a federal law that supports rights to
on, or to use a walker or wheelchair on make needed changes. You can read more about
• Cart with wheels to lessen the need how the ADA may protect you at hhs.gov.
to carry things
• Door lever handles instead of turn knobs If you rent your home, the property owner must
• Ramps for easy entry into the home approve changes before you make them.
Simple changes can also be made in a bathroom Some changes at a rental property might include:
such as adding a: • Allowing a renter to move to a lower floor
if necessary
• Shower seat • Adding grab bars in the bathroom or hallway
• Hand-held shower head • Lowering countertops or widening doorways
• Safety or grab bar if a wheelchair is needed
• Raised toilet seat or commode • Permitting a renter to live with a service animal
Some types of physical changes may not require Think about making changes
a contractor. Loved ones, friends or a volunteer may in your home that can help you.
be able to do the work. More complex changes,
such as designing and building a ramp, may need to Make a list of things that are difficult to do in
be done by a contractor. Find out if you will need your home.
a building permit to make more complex types of
changes to your home. Write down things that can be done to make
life at home easier for you.
Centers for Independent Living (CIL) are
nonprofit agencies run by people with disabilities Make a list of the names of people who are
within local communities. CILs provide information, willing to help you make the changes.
peer support, skills training and advocacy services.
Make a list of the steps you need to take if you
Many CILs work with nonprofit assistive technol- need permits or permission to make changes.
ogy programs. These programs can suggest changes
www.LIVESTRONG.org/WeCanHelp B : D U R I N G T R E AT M E N T D AY- T O - D AY C O N C E R N S 97
