Making the Stairs Safer One Step at a Time

Increasing the ability and safety of seniors using the stairs is very important. This is as a result of the very big danger that the stairs present to seniors. People of all ages can hurt themselves from a fall on the stairs, but the over sixty-five age group is most at risk to these types of accidents.

One of the first steps to prevent accidents on the stairs is to determine the overall ability of the senior to use the stairs. This includes considering their eyesight, painful joint disorders, like arthritis, and cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's. These factors can all make using the stairs very difficult and unsafe for a senior.



The senior's physical ability to use the stairs is not the only thing that should be taken into account, because the state of the staircase can also help prevent or increase the risk of a fall. The overall length of the staircase is one thing that should be considered. Doctors have found that staircases that have more than 10 steps in a row, without a landing, are very likely to tire out a senior. The lighting, the state of the handrail, and how slippery the steps are should also be taken into account. Often loose steps or steps that have uneven distances will also increase the risk of a fall.



Once you have evaluated the overall safety of the staircase in question and the ability of the senior to use said staircase, you will have a good idea of the overall safety of the staircase. In the event of a staircase that is in poor repair, it is a good idea to address this.

If the senior is not able to safely use the stairs, then it might be a good idea to invest in a stair lift, but in any event, a staircase in poor physical repair should always be repaired.



Stair lifts are commonly used by seniors, but people of all ages who have difficulty using the stairs can benefit from these types of devices. These lifts are used to actually carry a person up the stairs, removing the need to actually walk up or down the stairs. This makes it a whole lot safer to use the stairs and greatly reduce the risk of a fall.



Stair lifts commonly use a chair to carry the person up and down the stairs. This way the individual can simply sit down and enjoy the ride. For a straight staircase, a stair lift can usually be installed quickly and is an inexpensive alternative to something like an elevator or simply avoiding the stairs. They can often be installed by the homeowner and from the time they are ordered, can often be set up and ready to go in less than a week. People with curved staircases might not be so lucky though, because a curved stair lift can be very expensive.

To make it easier and safer to use the stairs, a stair lift is often used. These devices increase safety and many stair lifts can be installed in only a few hours.

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