Evaluating and Improving Staircase Safety

People of any age can fall and hurt themselves and this is in fact rather common. By the time most people are ten, they have likely fallen more times than you could count. As the body ages, though, these types of accidents can become more dangerous and the impact of a fall can be very serious. Injuries are also much more difficult to overcome as the body ages, so for seniors it is essential to take measures to reduce the risk of a fall.

Senior falls can occur anywhere and are often the result of multiple conditions, such as arthritis, limited vision, and simply slower reflexes. However, even though a senior can fall virtually anywhere, the stairs are the most common place for a serious senior fall to occur. This is in part due to the hard surfaces and larger distances of a staircase, which can make even a very short fall incredibly painful.

To help increase staircase safety and prevent senior falls, there are several steps that should be taken. It is important to evaluate the seniors abilities, evaluate the safety of the staircase, and make changes where necessary.

While sometimes the abilities of the senior or the condition of a staircase may alone seem like the biggest issue that could cause a fall, it is important to take all aspects into consideration when trying to decrease the risk of an elderly fall.

Evaluating the Abilities of the Senior

One of the most important steps in preventing senior falls on the stairs is to determine the abilities of the senior. It is important to consider both their physical capabilities of the senior, as well as their mental condition. Make sure to consider any diseases or limitations they might have, such as arthritis, poor vision, or difficulty walking.

Often, multiple conditions work against a senior, increasing the risk of a fall and serious injury. For example, a senior may have limited vision, making it difficult to see differences between steps. When this is coupled with arthritis of the knee, it may make using the stairs independently next to impossible. If the senior also suffers from osteoporosis, which causes the bones to loose their strength, even a low impact fall can result in a broken bone.

The above example illustrates how important it is to understand the medical history and background of the senior. It is essential to determine whether the senior is physically able to use the stairs at all, let alone use them in a safe manner.

Evaluating the Safety of the Staircase

While it is essential to consider the abilities of the senior, it is also very important to take into account the condition of the staircase. A staircase that is in poor repair or lacks safety features can be very dangerous, especially for those who already have trouble using the stairs alone.

There are many aspects to consider, but there should be sufficient lighting, sturdy handrails, and no loose rugs on or near the staircase. In addition, it is important to check for loose steps, uneven steps, and any other parts of the staircase that could pose a fall risk.

Making Changes to Decrease the Risk of a Fall

Once you have an understanding of the abilities of the senior and the condition of the staircase, it is necessary to make changes to reduce the risk of a fall.

For seniors who are unable to safely use the stairs, it may be necessary to avoid the stairs, move to an assisted living facility without stairs, or use a stair lift. The latter is a medical device that carries a senior up the stairs and is usually the most efficient and cost effective of the three options.

It is also necessary to ensure the staircase is in good repair, however this is not enough. There are also a number of things that can be done to help make the physical condition of the staircase safer and easier to use for seniors. For a detailed list of ways to increase the safety of the stairs, please consider this list of Improving the Condition of the Staircase.