Senior Staircase Safety: What You Need to Know

Published on: 02 March 2021 Last Updated on: 10 September 2024

The rates of falls and staircase-related injuries among the elderly continue to increase.

A Queensland government health report states that 100,000 people are hospitalized due to falls. The main causes include slipping, tripping, and stumbling, especially on stairs. Almost 10% of ambulance calls in Victoria attend to elderly patients who have fallen.

This article examines stair safety for senior citizens and how to proactively stop falls.

We explore safety features like stair treads and guard rails. And how the right lighting will protect the physically vulnerable.

Learn about stair safety and consider the elderly by reading these 3 tips. Then make falls and trips a thing of the past.

1. Safety Rails for Staircases:

Stair safety guardrails act as an invaluable support aid when mounting or dismounting stairs.

According to the government’s WorkSafe guide, each stairway should include at least one handrail. If the stairs are wider than 100cm then two handrails are required on either side.

Slippy rails or those too large to grip are worse than useless.

A power grip style that’s rectangular or circular allows the person to hold tight and use the stairs with confidence. There should be no obstructions to allow free movement. And the rails need to be visually significant so they’re easy to see.

2. Stair Treads for Elderly Relatives:

Stair treads are the horizontal part of a stair on which a person steps on.

Treads are often carpeted in elderly residential homes and houses. However, this type of material can rise or bump making the tread a tripping hazard.

Non-slip treads provide a safer environment. Methods include:

rubber or abrasive treads
anti-slip tape
slip-resistant nosing

Nosing is the edge of the stair where footfall is greatest. Stairs without firm nosing will see a higher number of falls. Therefore, it’s essential to include adequate nosing that is easily seen and strong enough to take a person’s full weight.

Staircase installers offer a full range of stair treads available in different colors and finishes. There are multiple nosing options on offer too but ask for the right type to suit the intended setting.

3. Improve Lighting and Remove Tripping Hazards:

Stairs should always have a high illumination level. Especially when contrasted to adjacent spaces.

Shadows and low areas of light can disrupt visibility. Remove them by installing low-glare overhead lights or a stair lighting kit. Make sure to have light switches on the upper and lower levels too.

Additionally, remove any tripping hazards from the staircase.

Items like clothing or books must never block the stairs. Carers should inspect the staircase regularly and remove all items. Training in care homes should provision for this along with general safety guidelines.

Making Stairs Safer for Seniors:

Senior staircase safety should include increasing visibility, removing hazards, and upgrading staircases.

Stair injuries can be grave and life-threatening in nature for seniors. You can suffer from injuries that might require medical procedures like hip replacement surgery or one for the knee. This is one reason why staircase safety is advocated.

Adding non-slip stair treads and dual handrails not only acts as safety features but can boost confidence. Adding extra light will help too.

Make an elderly person more comfortable in their home by following these tips. Reduce falls and increase the quality of life through simple staircase additions.

Read Also:

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

The Best Ways To Get Affordable Cremation

Cremation is usually a go-to option for most people because it is very affordable and convenient for most people as it does not involve a lot of costs as compared to normal burials. Some people usually include this in their last remarks as they may not want to burden their loved ones with a large unreal bill after they die. In most states, the costs for cremation usually vary between $600 and $3000 which is lower compared to holding funeral services and burials. There are a number of tips one can consider when getting cheap cremation services. They include; 1. You Need To Compare Providers: Prices between a variety of providers can vary greatly. You need to start by contacting the various funeral homes surrounding your area since most funeral homes provide cremation services. It is essential to inquire about the services they offer in terms of how much they charge and which is the least expensive cremation option. A service such as direct cremation includes packages such as picking up the body from the morgue, assisting in completion of the paperwork, the actual cremation itself and also providing the ashes to the family. You should also ask on the possibility of having a memorial service that is if your family wants to have a memorial service. You can also get referrals from friends and relatives or through local funeral guides. There are also some volunteer groups that have a range of information when it comes to locating cremation services. 2. You Can Also Consider Getting Low-Cost Urns: The urn is an item that is likely to increase your funeral and burial expenses. These urns usually cost around $300 however you are not required to get an urn. Most funeral homes after cremation usually place the ashes in a plastic bag and then insert them in a plastic box. The box can also serve as an alternative to an urn especially when you are planning to have the ashes scattered. However, if you want to have something where you can display the ashes then you should go for a cheap urn. There are places where you can get urns for as low as $25, or you can use an old cookie jar or a container for purposes of cutting costs. 3. Consider Seeking For Financial Help: In some instances, you may find that you may not be able to afford the financial costs that come with cremation, you can opt to seek help. There are some places where towns provide financial aid through social services if your family is not able to meet the cremation costs. 4. Free Cremation Option: This is another option to consider when looking for cheap cremation services. You can donate the body to a medical school which will use it to carry out research and then cremates the remains for free. After cremation, they can scatter the ashes in a cemetery or return them to your family. The drawback for this option is that it takes a long time since the students have to have completed their research in order to give you the ashes. These are the various tips you need to consider when looking for cremation services Read Also: How To Choose A Funeral Director? Several Tips For Choosing Funeral Flowers Online

How To Choose A Funeral Director?

Choosing a funeral director is not a shopping task that any sensible person would enjoy undertaking. But choosing the right professional for the occasion will help save time, money, and stress when emotions are already running high. There are many things to look for in a good funeral director on the market. Your research plays an important part in this regard. Here are some tips to consider when choosing a reputable funeral director in town. The fee charged by the funeral service should cover all the standard features of a contemporary funeral. Besides, there are additional extras that you could request depending on your needs and budget. The service should usually include the coffin, the hearse, and the service itself. It may also include the collection, preparation, and transportation of the deceased. But the cost involved in embalming the body isn't included in the fee. Here are some other things that you need to check with the funeral director. The cost involved in arranging a funeral procession The cost of religious officials Do they offer payment plans or do you need to pay upfront? Whether you get a basic coffin or an eco-friendly coffin for the cost of the package Finding the right price that matches your needs and budget is important when choosing a good funeral director. In fact, the average funeral cost is almost double compared to the amount you had to pay 5-7 years ago. Since more than 75% of the funerals in the country are cremations, the option might be more cost-effective than a burial. Most clients go with word of mouth and recommendations from someone they trust while there are some who prefer to shop around when choosing a good funeral service in town. No matter what method you use to find a reputable service provider, you should make sure to perform the necessary research involved in choosing the best candidate for the process. That will help save both your time and money. The best thing is to look for a funeral director service with a membership of a trade organization such as the AFDA - Australian Funeral Directors Association. A professional director will be in touch with the client before the funeral as well as on the day of the funeral. They should offer support and reassurance while dealing with the necessary paperwork. They should see that all the wishes of the client and the deceased are carried out according to the plan. The client may not be in a position to pay attention to every detail of the process considering the emotional state he or she is in. That is why it is important to choose a professional and experienced funeral director service at all times. Such a service is in a better position to deal with all the intricacies of the situation. The aforementioned article provides information on what you should look for when choosing a reliable funeral director in town. Read Also: Amid The Grief, Pick The Right Funeral Home Questions To Ask A Psychologist Before Hiring One Send Flowers To Congratulate Your Dear Ones On Their Achievements

Types Of Eldercare Centers

When you or your loved ones are aging, you are very concerned about how they will live and be taken care of later in life. This can be a challenging decision to make so that you have confidence that necessary care for your family will be available. While many people live with their aging parents or grandparents and take care of them on their own, this option may not work well for all families, especially if a loved one needs more specialized or medical intensive care. So when you are not living with your parents and grandfather, the nice eldercare centers are the only suitable way. What To Expect From An Elderly Care Center? 80% of the families choose to find an elderly care center for aging family members to keep them safe, healthy, and active both mentally and physically. There are many different kinds of elderly care centers. When you select the eldercare centers for your loving parents and grandparents or relatives, the first thing you have to do is analyze the services they are offering. And the service provider’s behaviors. Because handling older adults is a sensitive issue. Unless the service providers do not have the compassionate side, they can not offer the best services. So select the best facility services along with the best attention. However, it can be challenging to know which variety will suit your family and your loved one’s needs best. This article will give you an overview of some different types of elderly care centers that you may consider. How To Select The Eldercare Centers? Some of the eldercare centers facilities also have medical care options for individuals who may need regular medical assistance, including physical therapy, catheter care, or administering medications through IV. This type of care requires a caretaker with specialized training and experience to provide the proper care. Many facilities have a combination of both skilled and custodial care options for their eldercare centers' residents. In many facilities, they will also have space available for individuals who do not need extensive care, but in the instance that someone does need additional care, they can take advantage of the services available at their elderly care center. 2 Different Elderly Care Center Care Types Much of the decision on where to send your loved one will revolve around their health condition and the specific type of care that they need. There are two different types of standard care options at eldercare centers. 1. Custodial Care Giving Elderly Care Center The first type of elder care center you can choose is custodial care, which is non-skilled or non-medical care. This is care for individuals who may need assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, eating, and dressing, or perhaps with household chores activities like cleaning, cooking, and laundry. Individuals who don’t need medical care but are suffering from lessened physical or mental abilities may benefit from an elderly care center with custodial care options. In the custodial caregiver eldercare centers, the older people can take the medical facility and regular therapy process. This type of medication is carried forward by experienced practitioners. 2. Assisted Living Elderly Care Centers While many elderly care centers will offer skilled and custodial care, in some cases, an individual may need 24-hour care or supervision to ensure that they do not accidentally endanger themselves or others. This can be a particular concern with elderly individuals who have dementia or other diseases that affect their mental functioning. As a result, they can sometimes forget where they are or who the people around them are. For individuals with extreme cases of memory loss, many eldercare centers offer specialized mental care services to help slow memory loss and keep residents mentally engaged. Sum It Up: For a better survey, take the references from your friends. Or, through the online reviews of the eldercare centers, you can see how people are availing of the services. But before everything, you have to know how the service providers are dealing with older adults. Then, based on the reviews and customer feedback, you can select the center. Read Also: How Martial Art Can Help You Stay Fit And Healthy 8 Newborn Baby Care Tips for First-Time Parents

Senior Staircase Safety: What You Need to Know

1. Safety Rails for Staircases:

2. Stair Treads for Elderly Relatives:

3. Improve Lighting and Remove Tripping Hazards:

Making Stairs Safer for Seniors:

Are Major Sectors Minimizing Single-Use Plastic Waste Enough?

Elements Figuring out the Medication Cost

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Technologies For Creating A Startup Idea

How to Download Facebook Videos on Android?

7 Rules of Effective Ecommerce Web Design

The 10 WordPress Plugins Every Sucessful Blogger Uses

Follow Us

Recent

Cybersecurity Threats In Asset Tracking And Strategies To Mitigate

How To Invest In Yourself For A Stress-Free Daily Life

How Many Jobs Are Available in Consumer Services in 2024?

Top 9 Signs You Will Get The Job After Interview

Related

The Best Ways To Get Affordable Cremation

How To Choose A Funeral Director?

Types Of Eldercare Centers

Senior Staircase Safety: What You Need to Know

1. Safety Rails for Staircases:

2. Stair Treads for Elderly Relatives:

3. Improve Lighting and Remove Tripping Hazards:

Making Stairs Safer for Seniors:

Share this Article

Are Major Sectors Minimizing Single-Use Plastic Waste Enough?

Elements Figuring out the Medication Cost

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related