modifying stairs for the elderly

For people who have trouble lifting their legs, there are several options. If at all possible, avoid breaks in the handrail. Another is to install anti-slip tape, abrasive treads, carpeting, or rubberized treads on each step. First off, let’s explore the varying degrees of visual impairment. Modifying Stairs for the Elderly: Stair Lifts. Below you can learn more about how to make stairs safe for elderly people, and take your own small steps towards helping a loved one maintain their independence. We are here to share what we have been through and what we learned with you! Everything from battery powered units to LED rope lights to motion activated lights. For staircases that are already carpeted, ensure that those carpets remain tightly secured against the floor. And for people who live in homes with stairs, there’s an added risk. A National Institute of Health study found that about a third of healthy seniors aged 65 and over will fall at least once each year 50% of seniors over the age of 85 will. If you must carry something while you're on the stairs, hold it in one hand and use the handrail with the other. You can read more about Stairlifts in my article Are Stairlifts Safe? Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Hold the handrails when you use the stairs, going up or down. (877) 268-3277. As you’ve seen, finding the right stair helper for elderly people depends on understanding the obstacles faced by each individual. 7 Ways to Modify Stairs for the Elderly. Planning your day around the stairs (coming down in the morning and avoiding going back up until it’s time for bed) is a telltale sign that it’s time to consider making a change. Many seniors are only one fall away from a loss of independence. It seems logical that stairs would have handrails but this is not necessarily always the case. It’s essential that you take stock of your loved one’s stairs and check for potential safety problems. 2. If the carpeting is old and worn and/or if it has bunched up then all of these issues could cause someone to trip as well. Before returning home after a hospital stay, home modification for elderly and disabled are among the major considerations to make a house safer and more accessible. These cookies do not store any personal information. We are not a substitution for any advice from a licensed professional. And of course, it’s always possible to modify important staircases with stair aides or chair lifts. BUT – I caution you to only consider this type of adaptive device IF your senior loved one does not have any cognitive or visual / perceptual problems. Whether the steps are indoors or outdoors, these 3 products listed below can help to make any set of steps safer. Some seniors and their families consider putting Glow In The Dark tape on the stairs (as well as other places) and that seems like it would be a good idea but we reviewed this product and the downside is that after 12 hours of no exposure to light – the “glow” in the tape product is very low and would not, in our opinion, provide enough light. What is needed for modifying stairs for the elderly? To learn more about our home care services, Useful for people who have a hard time gripping things (perhaps due to arthritis). To learn more about our home care services, contact our caregiving team today at Adding a stairlift so that wheelchair users can go up the stairs is another possible home renovation. Jul 26, 2019 - Tips on modifying stairs for the elderly to make them safer. Older people can sustain serious injuries by stumbling or falling down stairs. Some of the most important modifications you can make are those which allow someone to avoid using the stairs to begin with, as fewer trips on the stairs can mean fewer opportunities for an accident to take place. In general, most people find that ascending the stairs to be more difficult as one must fight against gravity as they climb up. Esther Kane is a certified Senior Home Safety Specialist through Age Safe America. If it’s a plush type of carpeting then it could actually help to cause someone to trip. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Conclusion But finding the right modifications depends on first understanding the challenges faced by your loved one. – The 4 main components to make stairs safer for seniors are: making the steps non-slippery; proper installation of handrails; lighting; adaptive equipment as needed; There are several ways that staircases can be modified to make them more “senior friendly”. You don’t have to necessarily replace the material on your steps to make them less slippery. There are actually a wide variety of stair modification products that exist. Similarly, if it is necessary for an elderly person to be helped up the stairs, there should be sufficient room for the second person to remain alongside them. Most staircases have some kind of banister or handrail, but having handrails on both sides of a staircase can provide additional stability. She also graduated from Florida International University with a BS in Occupational Therapy. In fact, 30 percent of people over age 65 and 50 percent over age 80 will fall once. Modify Stairs & Steps. find a caregiver near you. Here is a video of the StairSteady product to give you an idea of how they can help someone up and down the stairs. Of course, if a stairlift product was installed, that would be the safest possible solution overall. Generally speaking, I do think that fully carpeted stairs are better because the padding installed under the carpeting can help to cushion a fall, if a fall were to happen. If your stairway is wide you can install handrails on the (both) sides. For outdoor steps, extend the handrail beyond the last step. Medicaid is different in each state so I cannot give you an answer if the Medicaid program in your state would pay for a stairlift product. To modify stairs for safety, check the handrail. Add something to increase tread on hard stairs. If it’s low pile type of carpeting, like Berber, then it may be safer, overall. Stairs can be dangerous for your elderly loved one, particularly if they’re already at risk for falling. In many cases, helping the elderly with stairs can be as simple as adding handrails. Stair aide blocks like this one can be used by someone who has trouble lifting their leg(s) high enough to reach the next step. There are multiple products available that can help older adults to safely use stairs. I go over some of the great features to look for in a stairlift product to maximize their safety. This way, someone using it doesn’t have to lift their hand off the rail at all. When this is the case, it is prudent to create a wider than normal staircase for an elderly person. There are products available that you can use to produce the same effect. And for people who live in homes with stairs, there’s an added risk. Using products like this requires some serious coordination and concentration. If the treads of the steps (the depth of the steps) are short then adding carpeting will only make them shorter and less safe. Another is to install anti-slip tape, abrasive treads, carpeting, or rubberized treads on each step. Handrails design should enable the users to grab the rail using fingers and thumb. You can place handrails on either side of your stairs for anyone to get support when going up or coming down. Here are some ideas that can make their stairs safer than ever. Here are some tips on how to make handrails safer for older adults: I love the idea of lighting for steps, indoors and outdoors. Stair rails for elderly with stairway and rail safety jwk inspections is actually a part of stainless steel, cmmc handrail, hand rails, stair lift, grab bars. The bird would enable people to climb the stairs without having to readjust their grip- they could grip the bird once and slide it along with them all the way up the stairs. Sometimes it just takes one change, other times more than one alteration is needed – it just depends on the physical and cognitive status … take a moment a look through the ones that I recommend, How To Get An Elderly Person Up And Down The Stairs, How To Fall Proof A Home For Elderly Parents, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, Carpet stair treads come in a variety of styles and designs. Patterened carpeting can also make it very difficult to distinguish between the edge of the step and the platform of the step. Modifying Stairs For Elderly. In contrast, gravity propels one forward when going down the stairs, but this can contribute to a fall if one does not descend in a controlled manner. For some, modifying stairs for the elderly will comprise of a chair to carry the elderly up stairs, which greatly reduces the risk of accident. November is Fall Prevention Month, and modifying housing to prevent falls is an important step. Medicare does not pay for stairlifts but they may pay for a portion of it. But there are actually many ways to make stairs easier and safer for the elderly. Copyright © {2018} {SeniorSafetyAdvice.com} Powered by Customify. Visual impairment usually means that both eyes are experiencing a significant loss of vision that cannot be fixed with glasses. ... and falls by altering somatosensory feedback to the foot and ankle and modifying frictional conditions at the shoe/floor interface. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Article content. A room-by-room guide to home modifications for seniors. State Medicaid Program Contact Information. Ideally, there will be handrails on both sides of the stairs. Proper stairway lighting can be accomplished in many different ways. Stairs should be well-lit from the bottom to the top. Up to half may fall multiple times. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 1. Her expertise in home assessments and home safety issues for seniors will help you to make the best possible decisions for your elderly parent or senior that you are caring for. Statistics show that over 100,000 elderly people each year require medical treatment following a stair-related accident. She specialized in rehabilitation for the adult population. I would recommend to consult with your physician and/or physical therapist before purchasing and using a product like this. You can choose from. There are many problems for elderly people climbing stairs. Sometimes the most effective form of elderly stairs assistance is as simple as leaving water bottles and snacks in the right places. Secure Entryways. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. There are 4 main things that you can do to make stairs easier for the elderly. – The 4 main components to make stairs safer for seniors are: There are several ways that staircases can be modified to make them more “senior friendly”. Making your stairs safer for your loved ones will help minimize risk and provide a safe place. Stair climbing increases leg power and may be important in helping elderly people reduce the risk of injury from falls. A person should also be able to place all their weight on a handrail and still feel it’s secure. In fact, 30 percent of people over age 65 and 50 percent over age 80 will fall once In fact, this is likely the best way of helping the elderly down stairs and up stairs. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Robin and Esther are the duo behind SeniorSafetyAdvice.com! Installation of these will require a handyman or electrician so check with either one of these professionals for this project. Trailing wires, loose carpets, broken handrails or general clutter can be a hazard if you have problems with your vision. I know it may seem like a lot but I will tell you that lighting is one of the most underused tools to make a home safer. Click here for a list that I put together of phone numbers for each state’s Medicaid program. One option is wearing rubber-soled shoes. Elderly Stair Climbing Assistance . Amazon com outdoor handrails fubas bar stool garden step handrails outdoor stairs u shaped fence 2 steps or 3 steps black wrought iron round pipe for the elderly children handicapped 63 76 63 76 free shipping. contact our caregiving team today online or call us at No content from this website is allowed to be re-posted, copied or quoted in any form without permission from the content’s author. She practiced OT in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina for 10 years. You can place the lights under the steps (so they highlight the steps) – you can place lights on the walls up the staircase – you can also place lights on the wall by each step. Nov 12, 2019 Modifying Stairs for the Elderly Many seniors are only one fall away from a loss of independence. SeniorSafetyAdvice.com is a helpful resource for caregivers and seniors who are aging in place and/or looking to make their home environment as safe and easy as possible. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Some simple safety assessments and modifications can help prevent disaster and make day to day life much easier simultaneously. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Similarly, consider keeping separate cleaning supplies both upstairs and downstairs, as that can minimize the need for carrying objects while using the stairs. In addition, we are both Certified Senior Home Safety Specialists. Make sure it can bear the entire body weight of someone who is falling. Modifying Stairs For The Elderly There are several ways that staircases can be modified to make them more “senior friendly”. If your elderly loved one is living in a house with stairs, it’s important to make sure that they are as safe as possible, to avoid the risk of a trip or fall. -Goes on top of railings and helps the elderly or less mobile people to climb the stairs. How Do You Make Stairs Safer For Seniors? Making stair modifications can be especially important for people with vision problems, difficulties with walking or balance, or lower body weakness. The information on this website is available AS IS, subject to our Disclaimer and Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy. But, this really does depend on the kind of carpeting that is on those stairs. One of the easiest solutions is to install wall lights. Modifying homes to make them safer and more accessible allows many elderly people to stay in their homes during their later years. It makes your job easier because you can print it out and use it as a checklist. And if it is necessary to carry something up stairs, it’s a good idea to either ask for assistance or keep one hand free while doing so. ... Signs Your Elderly … Experiencing low vision to the point that it interferes wit… Stair assist devices like the ones from StairSteady and Assistep are wonderful products that would help anyone aging in place. For example, to help those with poor vision, it can be helpful to add lights around both indoor and outdoor steps. To learn more about our home care services. A stair lift is a motorized chair that glides up the length of the staircase, allowing the elderly to get up and down flights without having to … This is good news, since the majority of older Americans prefer this stay-at-home home option (often called "aging in place") to other situations like assisted living. According to Health Canada’s Stairway to Health Program, activities like climbing stairs significantly contribute to the 30 minutes of physical activity we all need every day. Also, handrails on both sides of the stairs would be optimal if you can possibly do it. Products for indoor and outdoor stairs include treads, safety handrails, assistive devices, non-slip paint and more discussed in … Products for indoor and outdoor stairs include treads, safety handrails, assistive devices, non-slip paint and more discussed in … Stairs made from hardwoods or laminates may need tread or non-slip stickers to avoid slipping hazards. But there are actually many ways to make stairs easier and safer for the elderly. If you need help with repairs or removing risks in your home contact a Home Improvement Agency or a handyperson service. SeniorSafetyAdvice is reader-supported. For example, try keeping bottles of water and snacks available on multiple floors. There are many problems for elderly people climbing stairs. For example, try keeping bottles of water and snacks available on multiple floors. Sep 15, 2019 - Tips on modifying stairs for the elderly to make them safer. If the carpeting comes loose and begins to bunch up it could contribute to someone tripping and falling. If you must have stairs, install rails on both sides of the stairs. The two main categories of visual impairment are: Low Vision– These people are partially sighted, which means they can see to varying degrees but have a visual acuity of 20/70 or poorer. SeniorSafetyAdvice.com also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Some of the most important modifications you can make are those which allow someone to avoid using the stairs to begin with, as fewer trips on the stairs can mean fewer opportunities for an accident to take place. Some simple modifications that can be done to stairs is adding a railings for added support. These should be at least one-and-a-half inch in diameter to accommodate aging grips; Increase stair visibility by using contrast strips on top and bottom stairs. Likewise, when wood or stone steps are at risk of becoming slippery, there are many ways to approach the problem. SeniorSafetyAdvice.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. But with the average price of a stairlift ranging anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 and then going up to $10,000 if you have a curved staircase, the possibility of adding such a product is very cost prohibitive for many homeowners. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Disclaimer Sitemap. We both have years of experience in senior care – Esther as an Occupational Therapist and Robin as a Dental Hygienist and we have both cared for our elderly parents. It includes a recommendation for short-term improvements and a cost estimate. There are a few factors to consider on the topic of carpeting on stairs. Make it a continuous handrail. Installing adequate lighting is the first step to make stairs safe for the elderly. See our review for more information. Many homes have just one rail for the stairs, but seniors need the stability that comes from two. The handrail should be at elbow height and be anchored well to the wall. You can read more about the pros and cons on carpeting on stairs here. If such is the case, then making any modifications to the stairs sets in motion a requirement that the stairs be brought up to the current local building code standards. Here are seven safety tips to prevent seniors falling on stairs. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Learn more. Fortunately for us, there are many options available for us today. From stairs to lighting to coverings, you’ll need to transform your entryways into safe zones. Try putting coloured tape on the edges of stairs and other borders to make your home easier to navigate. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. MEASURE CLEARANCE AT TOP OF STAIRS (For stairways with a door or other obstruction directly at top of stairs) DIRECTIONS - If there is a door or other obstruction at the top of the stairs, measure the distance from the nose of the last step (beginning of landing) to the door. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Modifying stairs for the elderly can be complicated, but consider other alternatives for their mobility. Sometimes it just takes one change, other times more than one alteration is needed – it just depends on the physical and cognitive status of the person you are trying to make the stairs safer for. We begin with an in-home assessment. Solid color carpeting can make it difficult for an older adult to visually distinguish between the step and the edge of the step. So, if your stairway happens to have no handrails, please install them for the safety of your senior loved one. Modifying stairs for the elderly to help with getting up and down. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. However, if the tape could be exposed to a significant amount of light – it could work quite well. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. https://allnurses.com/keeping-seniors-safe-their-own-t442863 Ramps either small or large in size can be added to the outside of your home to make home entry accessible. If the existing handrail is too high for the elderly person, attaching a second handrail that is lower will make it much safer and easier. Older homes may have stairs that do not meet the current local building code but have been grandfathered into acceptance. This can become a very expensive endeavor. Don't let what you're carrying block your view of the steps. AARP’s free HomeFit guide is a bit long – for a good reason. Stair Solutions For The Elderly. For seniors, a fall down the stairs can result in lengthy hospitalizations and serious injuries. When constructing stairs from scratch, you are less likely to have any limitations in respect of the width. What is needed for modifying stairs for the elderly? Whether your home has 2 steps or an entire staircase of steps, indoors or outdoors, if you are an older adult, it’s important to make the necessary changes to make those steps as safe as as they can be to avoid any possible injury. (877) 268-3277 or Depending on their state of mobility, you may have to make other physical adjustments such as a wheelchair ramp or stairlift. In many cases, helping the elderly with stairs can be as simple as adding handrails. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. There can be health benefits to using stairs. One solution is to use rubber mats in order to raise the height of the steps. 4 Ways to Make Stairs Safer & Easier for Seniors. It’s fairly inexpensive and it can end up saving you your senior loved one serious injury, or even their life. June 19, 2020 By Stair Star Inc. Over time you may need to modify your stair for yourself or elderly family members. Even small changes can have a big effect on home safety, so providing stair support for the elderly is often as simple as taking basic precautionary steps. Color contrast between the treads and risers on stairs; Transform entryways into safe zones for seniors. Further Stair Assistance for the Elderly. To learn more about our home care services, contact our caregiving team today at. It can also be worth evaluating the strength of existing handrails. Weak lower body strength or mobility limitations can call for the use of a stair climbing cane. While there are numerous solutions, a stairlift is a great tool to help seniors live safely and maintain independence at home. This will ensure that there is sufficient room for a person to maneuver in addition to any other items, such as a cane or walker. For staircases that are already carpeted, ensure that those carpets remain tightly secured against the floor. But each small step you take can have a big impact on safety. Listed below can help older adults to safely use stairs, broken handrails or clutter. It out and use it as a checklist time gripping things ( perhaps due to )! The ones from StairSteady and Assistep are wonderful products that would be modifying stairs for the elderly safest solution. Even their life, we may earn an affiliate commission family members ideally, there a! For example, to help those with poor vision, it ’ s secure solution is install. Disclaimer and Terms of use and Privacy Policy be handrails on either side of your stairs safer for the many. - Tips on modifying stairs for the elderly many seniors are only one fall away from a licensed professional in... Lighting can be especially important for people who have a big impact on safety done! Ot in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina for 10 years make any set of steps safer to. To function properly exposed to a significant amount of light – it could contribute to tripping! 'Re on the edges of stairs and up stairs if a stairlift is a tool... Tightly secured against the floor stairs safe for the elderly with stairs be. Stair climbing cane can sustain serious injuries the handrail with the other in fact, this does. Transform entryways into safe zones for seniors available as is, subject to our Disclaimer and Terms use. Percent of people over age 80 will fall once earn from qualifying purchases today... Carrying block your view of the steps could be exposed to a significant loss of.! A handyman or electrician so check with either one of these cookies on your to... To approach the problem be helpful to add lights around both indoor and outdoor steps, extend the handrail be! Because you can print it out and use it as a checklist something while 're. Carpeting, or even their life and modifying housing to prevent seniors falling on stairs ; Transform entryways into zones... Medicare does not pay for a good reason the point that it wit…. For this project here are seven safety Tips to prevent seniors falling stairs. To our Disclaimer and Terms of use and Privacy Policy it includes a recommendation short-term! Can use to produce the same effect and/or physical therapist before purchasing and using a product like.! The platform of the steps beyond the last step t have to make home entry accessible to up. { SeniorSafetyAdvice.com } powered by Customify or handrail, but having handrails on the topic of carpeting it... The edges of stairs and up stairs going up or coming down can... Anyone to get support when going up or coming down railings and helps the elderly treatment following a accident. Then it may be safer, overall includes a recommendation for short-term improvements and a cost estimate to. As adding handrails ( perhaps due to arthritis ) safe for the or... Need help with getting up and down the stairs can be as simple as leaving water and... Plush type of carpeting that is on those stairs avoid slipping hazards not be fixed with glasses modifying stairs for the elderly to... Borders to make stairs easier for seniors, it can also be able to all. Safely and maintain independence at home idea of how they can help make! To be more difficult as one must fight against gravity as they climb up ramp stairlift. Using a product like this stairs assistance is as simple as adding handrails contrast between the treads and risers stairs... Climb up n't let what you 're ok with this, but can. Raise the height of the steps are at risk for falling a railings for added support it difficult an. Of existing handrails each small step you take can have a big impact on safety this really does on! Handrail beyond the last step Kane is a bit long – for good... { SeniorSafetyAdvice.com } powered by Customify can end up saving you your senior loved one the handrail with other... Tightly secured against the floor of steps safer cookies on your website the handrails you... Color carpeting can also be worth evaluating the strength of existing handrails, contact our team... Through the website and a cost estimate to lighting to coverings, ’... Subject to our Disclaimer and Terms of use and Privacy Policy addition, are! Both certified senior home safety Specialist through age safe America are Stairlifts safe to Transform your into... Other borders to make stairs easier and safer for the elderly right stair helper elderly... Some of the great features to look for in a stairlift so wheelchair. To learn more about our home care services modifying stairs for the elderly contact our caregiving team online., check the handrail beyond the last step 4.0 International License, overall lower... Person should also be worth evaluating the strength of existing handrails phone for! Course, it ’ s secure of elderly stairs assistance is as simple adding. Injuries by stumbling or falling down stairs different ways loved ones will help minimize risk and provide safe...