Good for the elderly
Adapting Stairs to Make Them Safer and Easier for Seniors
– The four most important elements in making stairwells safer for elders are as follows: The design of stairs may be altered in a variety of ways in order to make them more ″senior friendly.″ Sometimes just one modification is required, and other times more than one modification is required – it all depends on the physical and cognitive condition of the individual for whom you are attempting to make the stairway safer.
As a result, many of the methods for making elderly people’s houses safer are geared on lowering the likelihood of falls occurring. Some of these alterations must be done throughout the whole house, whilst others are limited to a single room or area.
If you are an older adult who lives in a home with two steps or a full staircase of steps, whether indoors or outdoors, it is critical that you make the required modifications to make those stairs as safe as possible in order to avoid any potential damage to yourself or others. What tools and materials are required for adapting stairwells for the elderly?
Consider contacting an electrical professional to install suitable lighting around the stairwell and other areas of the home.Make certain that the lighting is positioned in such a manner that shadows do not interfere with the user’s vision and that the edges of the stairs are clearly lighted before proceeding.It is possible that those with mobility or balance impairments will be unable to use a standard set of steps.
Install abrasive safety strips (available at home centers) between each step of your stairwell to make it more secure. To make your house safer, wipe the surface and let it to dry completely before attaching the strip towards the front of each stairwell or landing.
Making Stairs Safe for Seniors is Simple.
It is critical to have a non-slippery surface throughout the whole staircase, or at the very least on the leading edges, in order to limit the chance of slipping on stairs. A surface like this can be constructed of rubber, metal, or sprayed with a slip-resistant paint designed specifically for this purpose.
How can you make your hardwood stairwells safer and less slippery, is the issue. Adding traction, whether through the use of carpet, anti-slip adhesive stair treads, or the application of a layer of anti-slip floor finish to the surface of each step, is the most effective method of making your hardwood stairs less slick.
You may begin by simply enhancing stair traction with carpet strips or anti-slip adhesive treads for staircases, which are both inexpensive options. You may also paint the stairs with anti-slip paint, which will make them more safe for you to use.
How can I make a set of stairs more accessible for an older person?
Make it a continuous railing to avoid tripping. Using it in this manner eliminates the need for the user to lift their hand from the rail at all. Installing a second handrail that is lower than the current one will make it more safer and simpler for the older person if the present railing is too high for them.
There are a variety of reasons why people find it more difficult to climb the stairs as they become older. As we get older, our muscular strength and flexibility deteriorate (although the right exercises can go a long way to maintaining this). Going down the stairs may be quite tough for elderly individuals due to visual problems, which can make it much more challenging for them.
Take the Appropriate Precautions to Avoid Falls
Senior care professionals recommend the following strategies for avoiding falls at home:
Making Your Home Fall-Proof
For a concrete stairway that is chipping or cracking, especially at the front edge of the stairs, HandiTreads Non-Slip Nosings are the most effective safety solution. It is possible to prevent the concrete tread from further degradation by wrapping aluminum nosings around the edge of the tread while also supporting the whole step.
Fortunately, there are ways available to make concrete non-slippery. A broom finish, slip-resistant stamped concrete, and exposed aggregate are three common finishes that will keep the aesthetics of your foyer in tact: they are all attractive options. Slippery steps can be made less slippery by using a broom finish, which is a subtle and visually acceptable option.