Helping Granny and Grandpa live at home for a lifetime took a lot of work!

Not only was I taking care of my own home, working, and going to school, I was doing all the odds and ends to make sure Granny and Grandpa’s needs were met.

 For all of you taking care of family members, I’m sure you’re working just as hard if not harder! Working harder means that you want to find solutions that make all of your to-do’s easier!

And one of the best lifetime investments you need is a zero step entry for getting in and out of the house. 

Zero Step Entry

First of all, what is a zero step entry?

It’s an entrance to your home that has NO steps or transition piece whatsoever. You just walk on even, flat flooring through the door!

The teeniest tiniest step can make getting in and out of the home harder to do. If the floor is totally flat, then people of all abilities can effortlessly breeze through.

 There are many benefits to having a zero step entry:

• Everyone can enter and leave the home independently whether you’re walking or using a wheelchair.

• It’s easier to carry things in and out of the home.

• No steps mean less chance of a fall and injury.

For your zero step entry, I’d recommend picking the doorway that you go in and out of the most, like the garage door or the front door. At my house, we mainly use the back door.

Once you’ve picked your entry, now comes the trickier part, which is figuring out how to make a zero step entry. So I’ll give you some ideas!

 1) New Construction

The easiest way to make a zero step entry is if you’re building a new home. Talk to your builder and plan for one entry to have zero steps near an accessible route.

This can be done with ANY home design with a little creativity!

Make the garage floor level with the house. Or maybe the zero step entry needs to be on the back or the side of the house next to a sidewalk that’s three feet wide.

Zero step entries should not cost a huge arm and a leg for a new home. It’s simply a matter of grading the site. Check out visitability.org for more information on the costs of creating a zero step entry.

2)  Make a New Door

Another option is to renovate a zero step entry for your current home. If it’s not possible to renovate an existing entry, think about converting a window into a zero step entrance or installing a new exterior doorway. 

Voila! Now you have a brand new door that lets you go inside easier!

3) Ramp

A traditional way to make a zero step entry is to install a ramp.

Ideally, the ramp will have a slope that’s a foot long for every inch in height (1:12) so that you don’t feel like you’re climbing up a steep mountain. 

Here’s an example to clear up what it means to have a 1:12 slope: at the back door of my house, the rise from the ground to the bottom of my door is 14 inches. To keep the ramp slope at 1:12, I need a ramp that’s 14 feet long to make a gradual incline. 

Not everyone has 14 feet in front of their door to put in a long ramp like that. So this is when it gets tricky and you need to make right angles and platforms every five feet and on and on depending on your unique situation.

Now’s a good time to remind you to call an occupational therapist to help you figure out what’s going to work best for you! Contact me if you need help with that!

To learn more about different types of ramps, check out this article HERE!

4) Platform Lift

If you don’t like the idea of a ramp, consider installing a platform lift at your entry to instantly forego the steps!

Platform lifts are like elevators and can be installed outside or inside the home. They work well for wheelchair users or people who use walkers and canes.

I’ve seen people put platform lifts inside of the garage and outside the front or back door.

If you’re not sure where a lift would work best in your home, rest assured! I recommend reaching out to a local lift company, like KC Lift and Elevator. They give you expert advice on the best place to install a lift.

Lift companies want to make sure the lift is safe and works well for you and your family in your home.

5) Rampscape

Another possibility is to make a rampscape, which is a sloping sidewalk that goes to your door.

This is one of my most favorite options because other people don’t realize the rampscape is a ramp! Add some landscaping, and you end up having functional curb appeal while getting in and out of the home.

At the end of the day, you’re the expert on which option will work best for your family. Zero step entries need planning and do have an upfront cost. But over time, you’ll never regret having one when helping your family live at home! 

For more information on zero step entries, check out visitability.org. They have great info on making bathrooms in the home more accessible too!

Tell us below, are you going to make one of your entries at home zero-step? Which option are you going to try? Contact me with questions or write your question down below.

Do you already have a zero step entry? Please share your experience in the comments down below. You’re going to help somebody else out!

Remember, you better do it before you need it!

(Psssssttt . . . Hey, did you know we have an awesome online course for people who have a hard time wiping after using the toilet? It’s an awkward topic that you can learn how to solve in the comfort and privacy of your own home! Learn more about the course HERE!)