Accessible holiday homes?

[lurchermummy]

Not sure if this is the right topic but if you or a family member have special needs/disabilities, what would you look for in a holiday home? Doing some market research as I'm planning on setting one up and I'd like to know what people would most value. I realise there are lots of different disabilities/special needs and we will probably focus on one area - but any feedback would be useful, thanks so much.

I use a wheelchair full time.

An accessible kitchen is often missed. Specifically space under the kitchen sink that my legs can go in so I can get close enough to reach the sink and make a drink.

An accessible holiday home I saw advertised had gravel outside. I can’t get my wheelchair across gravel.

wheelchair access to both sides of the bed. Sockets by the bed.

Ceiling hoist
Profiling bed
Wet room
Lots of space between furniture
All living space and at least one bedroom on ground floor
No steps coming into/ out of property
Wider doorways
Parking next to the property
Access to both sides of bed
No gravel is a good one 👌

Thanks both that is really helpful - had thought of the kitchen and hoists but not gravel!

Holidaying with an 80 year old this year has shown me that simple things like a walk in shower, easy access cupboards, a few hand rails in useful places and fewer steps are wonderful things, even without him being classed as disabled.

And to add: I think it is both a lovely idea and a good business idea too.

Seating options that are high enough for someone to get out of them easily. Plug sockets at waist height. Most-used kitchen stuff at between waist and shoulder height, and any heavy appliances stored accessibly on the counter or in a cupboard where they can be used. Non slip mats in showers. No kitchen stuff that needs a very strong grip. A gizmo to help open cans. Trays with non-slip surfaces to help carry drinks safely.

With any dining tables, make sure they allow for a person using a wheelchair to be able to sit comfortably at the table to eat (although some wheelchair users prefer to move across to a dining chair so there should be adequate space around the table to allow for this and the wheelchair to remain easily accessible). Possibly leave one chair space free so if the person decides to stay sitting in their wheelchair there isn’t a spare dining chair constantly cluttering up the space.

Sorry that this is a one item focus but I used to organise outings for a group of people who used wheelchairs and we often caused chaos in cafes.

Also, door handles that don’t require significant strength or grip to open or close.

Thanks all - great ideas, keep the coming.

What about people with dementia - if you had a family member with dementia would you take them on holiday? I was thinking of things like a secure garden, pressure mat alarms on the doorways? Or would being in a strange place be too distressing?