4 Ways to Get Elderly People Upstairs Safely
Getting an elderly person up and down a flight of stairs safely is a concern for family members, friends, and neighbors. Limited mobility causes frustration and potentially fear in many elderly people. This may cause them to try climbing stairs independently, which is risky and could lead to injuries.
Carefully guiding an elderly person up the stairs is one way to help them access other levels of the home. In other instances, a stairlift may be needed to transport an older individual up and down the stairs.
Here are a few strategies to help mobility-impaired individuals be more independent around stairs without compromising their safety:
1. Install a Stairlift
One of the top and most efficient solutions to get an elderly person up the stairs is to buy or rent a stairlift (a.k.a. stair chair lift). A stairlift is a kind of transport chair that is motorized and moves along a track mounted to the stairs.
Stairlifts are ideal for elderly people who may use a wheelchair or are unable to climb stairs independently anymore. They are also incredibly useful for individuals who have moderate to severe mobility impairments and need a stairlift to help them get from point A to point B.
Buying or renting a stairlift requires careful planning and should be done with consideration of the home's layout. A company that specializes in mobility devices will assist you in choosing the best stairlift to rent or buy.
2. Purchase a Climbing Cane
A climbing cane is a cane that is specifically designed for stair climbing. It is an appropriate solution for elderly people who are at a healthy weight and have good balance.
Climbing canes have a platform or built-in step at the bottom that allows elderly individuals to take half a step at a time. This makes stairs less intimidating and, most importantly, less painful to climb.
Elderly people who use a walking cane can also use it to help them up the stairs. Knowing how to walk with a cane correctly up and down stairs will make this process significantly safer and easier.
3. Change Your Staircase Environment
Change your stair environment to accommodate the space where an elderly person will be climbing. Some of the ways to make staircases more friendly and accessible for mobility-impaired individuals include the following:
Add handrails to the staircase that can be easily gripped, used for balance, and leaned on.
Install slip-free carpets or materials on stair treads.
Install wall-mounted emergency buttons in the event that the person climbing the stairs gets stuck mid-journey.
Modify or add light fixtures that make the stairs easier to see in the dark.
Paint the stairs contrasting colors that make them easier to see.
Redo the stairs completely by modifying the tread depth and rise height of each stair.
Even making the smallest adjustments to your staircase's environment can help mobility-impaired individuals become more independent. When it comes to getting a loved one or an elderly person up the stairs safely, the first place to look for home modifications is the nature of the staircase itself.
4. Build a Bedroom Downstairs
Building a bedroom downstairs in a two-story house completely eliminates the need to navigate stairs daily. This is a permanent solution for a frustrated individual, such as a grandma or other elderly person, who is unable to get up and down the stairs efficiently. However, there may be consequences, such as emotional and social impact.
For example, a person who used to have their bedroom upstairs may now feel isolated downstairs. It's important to ask the mobility-impaired individual if they are ready to settle in a sleeping room downstairs. Making the downstairs room as comfortable as possible will also help make the transition easier on the individual.
Safety Tips and Precautions to Keep in Mind
Learning how to get the elderly upstairs takes careful planning and certain precautions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one out of four older people fall each year, and less than half of them report back to their doctors. Yikes! Another unsettling statistic from the same source shows that falling once doubles an elderly person's chance of falling again.
When it comes to getting an elderly individual up and down the stairs, here are a few safety tips and precautions to keep in mind:
Check in with the elderly person before climbing the stairs. Ask them how capable they feel navigating the stairs themselves, with a stabilizing device, etc.
Ensure your staircase is clear of clutter, such as shoes, books, or laundry, that could make it hazardous for an elderly person to climb.
If a stairlift is installed, regularly check to make sure all its capabilities and emergency features are working properly. Schedule regular maintenance to keep these motorized devices operating smoothly.
Revise all canes, walkers, or other non-motorized walking and standing devices to make sure they are in good working condition.
Never force an elderly person to go up the stairs if they feel sick, dizzy, or simply unmotivated to do so.
Encourage your loved one not to rush up and down the stairs, taking their time with each step.
Encourage exercises that will help with mobility when they are not using the stairs. Many mobility exercises for the elderly can be done in a chair and from the comfort of home.
Safety First: Don't Risk A Fall
Safety must always come first when an elderly person is journeying up and down the stairs. It's not worth risking a fall. While a large, winding, steep, or long stairwell may present a challenge, there are several practical solutions for getting elderly individuals up the stairs:
If mobility has become such an issue for the person you are caring for, consider a stairlift. A stairlift is a safe, motorized way for a mobility-impaired individual to get up and down stairs. A stairlift is a game-changer in the lives of many older adults with mobility problems looking for more accessibility in their homes.
Purchase a climbing cane that provides more support for an elderly person, making climbing the stairs easier and more comfortable.
Change your staircase environment by making it friendlier to the mobility-impaired. Add handrails, lights, and non-slip carpet or material to each stair.
Build a bedroom downstairs to eliminate the need for stairs altogether. Be sure to check in with the person who will be moving downstairs to ensure they don't feel isolated or that it's too much of a change.
If you are the one helping an elderly person get up and down the stairs, stay supportive and calm. Don't rush the process. Instead, stay confident in the individual's ability to know their limits and speak up if they are feeling uncomfortable or in pain when climbing stairs. Luckily, we live in a world that has many options for modifying homes to accommodate individuals with different mobility needs.