Mom struggles with her walker in the front doorway threshold with main door and screen door
I was wondering if anyone encountered a problem with the front door threshold as it is called? My 83 year old mom who uses a walker, has a ranch home, but the small step out the front door is a bit awkward between the front door and screen door, with multiple things to pass over, aluminum, wood, cement, etc. She is going outside more often now to get some sun for her sundowner's syndrome so she is passing over it more often now. I called a mobility person that sells ramps, etc. I showed him a photo and he felt there was nothing he could recommend and that a small portable ramp might make it more complicated. While I have no pressing need to change the front doors I am thinking that might be the only solution here. Anyone encounter this?? (Back door is way too tight with the walker.)
I'm not sure there is a good solution; I think it would require, as Windy wrote, someone with carpentry skills, or someone skilled in replacing doors.
One of the concerns I would have is that lowering the threshold could create entry and exit problems, especially since I think (as an amateur) that the gap would allow warm air to escape in winter and cold air to enter. And it might be easier for bugs to get in if there's a gap, unless a piece of flashing were added to the door - that might a solution.
My father years ago built a ramp for his sister to use with her walker to exit the front door, out only to a slab porch. The drop between the door and the porch wasn't significant though, and the slab porch was long enough that the ramp slope was easily to navigate.
I don't know if getting that bump lower would help, as then you would need to make the door longer or place a thicker rubber thingee at the bottom of the doors.