As humans grow older, the risk of developing a number of diseases and conditions, like arthritis, become more likely. Even though these conditions are not a normal part of the aging process, they are none-the-less more likely to occur among seniors and the elderly.
As a result of these conditions, there are a number of daily tasks that can be much harder to preform and even present safety concerns, so it is essential to help make these kinds of tasks both easier and safer. For seniors, climbing the stairs is actually one of the most dangerous daily tasks, often made more difficult by limited vision and poor balance.
There are a number of ways to help increase senior staircase safety and reduce the risk of a fall on the stairs.
One of the most important steps of reducing the risk of a senior fall is to ensure that the staircase itself is in good condition. The steps themselves should not be loose or uneven, as this can increase the risk of a fall, especially among those who have trouble judging distances.
Many choose to install a textured high contrast tape to make the steps easier to see and increase traction. In these cases, it is a good idea to use a different color tape on the top and bottom steps, so it is easy to tell where the staircase ends.
Studies have also shown that having two handrails significantly decreases the risk of a fall. However, simply having a handrail is not enough to reduce the risk of a fall. The Handrail should be small enough that it can be easily grasped by the senior, securely fastened to the wall, and made of a smooth material that does not irritate that hand.
Having proper lighting on the staircase is also essential and there should be a light switch at both the top and bottom of the staircase. This way, the senior does not have to worry about using the stairs in the dark.
In addition to the actual condition of the staircase, it is important to remove items in the home that could increase the risk of a fall on the stairs and make sure the stairs does not become a place for storing items.
This includes avoiding leaving purses, toys, or boxes on the actual staircase, as well as removing loose rugs from the top and bottom of the stairs. Loose rugs should really be removed from all areas of the home, because not only can these rugs slide on slick surfaces, but the corners can also turn up and present a tripping hazard. However, this risk is greatest around the stairs, where a fall can easily result in serious injury.
While ensuring the staircase is in good repair is essential for reducing the risk of a senior fall, it is also very important to ensure that the senior is actually able to safely use the stairs in the first place. This is why it is necessary to evaluate the seniors physical and mental conditions, determining whether they are able to safely and independently use the staircase.
In many cases, as a result of a combination of poor vision, arthritis, dementia, and other diseases, some seniors will simply not be able to safely and consistently climb the staircase. In these cases, installing a stair lift may be a good choice, as this can offer a cost effective and easy way to increase staircase safety. Stair lifts are designed to carry a person up and down the stairs, most frequently using a chair. Other options include simply avoiding the stairs altogether or installing a residential elevator, but unfortunately both of these have a very significant cost.
The stairs can be very dangerous to people of all ages, but the elderly are most likely to experience a fall on the stairs that results in an injury. So, it is essential to help make the stairs safer for seniors and those with limited mobility.
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