Inspect Door and Plumbing Lever Handles for Accessibility
Why it matters
Stiff knobs and handles are inaccessible to aging adults, people with arthritis, and those with reduced hand strength. Simple lever-handle upgrades cost $20–50 and maintain independence.
Stop forgetting to do this.
Hearth generates a personalized maintenance schedule so you never miss another inspect door and plumbing lever handles for accessibility.
How to do it
- 1
Walk through your home and test every door handle, interior and exterior, for ease of operation.
- 2
Test faucet levers in kitchen and bathrooms; confirm they operate smoothly without stiffness.
- 3
Check cabinet and drawer pulls for accessibility; test by grasping with one hand and pulling.
- 4
Mark any handles that are stiff, sticky, or require unusual force or wrist rotation.
- 5
Replace marked handles with arthritis-friendly lever handles (typically $10–30 per handle) or ergonomic pulls.
- 6
For exterior doors, prioritize entry/exit routes and frequently used interior doors (bathroom, kitchen) for upgrades.