A Look Inside a “Gold Standard” Alberta Home Adapted for Physical Disabilities | The Canadian News

The wider doors and lower kitchen counters in a home can make a monumental difference to someone with a physical disability or who is aging.

It’s a lesson a real estate agent in St. Albert, Alta., Northwest of Edmonton, claims to have learned while selling a modified luxury bungalow.

“This is something I have never seen before in my 15-year career,” says Brian Cyr as he walks the main floor of the 362-square-meter house that he calls “a true home for life.”

“Many people I deal with can only be in one home for a while until they move into an assisted living facility due to limited mobility.

“This house could be a home for many, many years to come.”

The three-bedroom, three-bathroom living space made Brad Bartko, an advocate for the disabled, tear up when he entered the home in his wheelchair.

Cyr gave Bartko a tour of the house so he could learn more about her.

“We live in a world that is not made for us… that is not designed for people with disabilities,” says Bartko, 28, who has been in a wheelchair his entire life.

“Seeing this house gave me hope and I knew it would give the people of the community hope that houses like this exist.

“This house was the gold standard.”

Cyr says another “gentleman started doing 360 in his wheelchair in the middle of the room and he was in awe … he loved it.”

The home is on the market for $ 699,950. Cyr says that the numerous modifications are “something that is not done to obtain the return of the investment”.

“It’s about freedom,” says the real estate agent.

“There is a very high percentage of Canadians living with disabilities, but how many houses are modified to accommodate these people?”

The corridors are more spacious. The door frames are about two inches wider than in a traditional house.

“You won’t notice any barriers,” says Cyr in the kitchen. There is no island, the counters are lower, and a dumbwaiter is built into the wall to help transport items to the basement.

Instead of stairs, there are ramps. There are also two elevators. One connects the garage to the main level of the house.

“Right here, you have the ultimate adaptation,” says Cyr as he walks to the second elevator located in a study on the main floor. The elevator goes to the basement of the strike or “rollout”.

In the basement, a bar with a lower counter makes it easy for a person with a disability to serve drinks to guests. There is also a lowered pool table to entertain them.

One of the three bedrooms is also in the basement. It is intended for a caregiver and has speakers built into the walls.

An automatic dog gate is built into the basement entrance.

“The dog has a special collar,” says Cyr. “When the dog approaches him, a sensor detects it and, shaking, (the door) opens.”

The price for all mods adds about $ 150,000, adds Cyr.

“Without the more expensive modifications, like the elevators, it will probably be the same price.”

The master bedroom is on the main floor “for obvious reasons”.

A “zero entry” shower in the corner means there are no barriers and allows someone in a wheelchair to roll down a sloping floor and close a curtain behind them.

The sink has a space underneath, like a desk, so that a wheelchair can get close to it. The toilet has a bidet. The clothes rods in the dressing area are lower.

Also in the master bedroom there is a ceiling rail attached to a sling above the bed. It is intended to help the caregiver get someone out of bed to the bathroom and into the dressing room.

“It’s about thinking about the things that people with disabilities may need,” says Cyr.

Kevin Benson designed the house in 2017 for a friend who had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS, and has since died.

“I learned a lot,” says the owner of Hereditary Homes.

“The ALS Society (from Canada) came in and helped him with what he was going to need. My friend bought the house to basically be close to his parents … He put a lot of money in it to renovate it. “

Benson says some of the modifications, including something as small as a one-step ladder instead of several, have been helpful in his own life.

“Five years ago, I had a hip replacement. I was on crutches for a couple of months and, I’ll tell you, I was sure I was happy that it was just one step away from the garage. “

An increasing number of people looking for their “forever home” have asked about modifications.

“Most are in their 50s and 60s,” says Benson.

“Nobody wants to think that they are going to be in a wheelchair anytime soon, but that is definitely being talked about. They are doing everything they can to make it habitable and make it their last home. “