There are many different areas in a home that can present a fall risk for seniors. The bathroom can be especially dangerous, because there are many hard surfaces, which can easily become wet and slippery. However, of all areas in a home that are dangerous for a senior, every year, more serious senior falls occur on the staircase than any other area in the home.
Since so many very serious senior falls occur on the stairs every year, often requiring hospitalization, it is very important to make an effort to make the stairs safer and easier to use for the elderly.
One of the most important steps to reduce the risk of a fall on the stairs is to ensure that there is proper lighting. It is essential that the stairs, as well as the top and bottom landing are well lit. There should also be a light switch at the top and bottom of the staircase, because otherwise the senior must always leave the light on or risk having to use the stairs in the dark.
It is also very important to keep the stairs and landing free from clutter. Vases, tables, and other decorations should be placed far enough away from the stairs that there is no risk of tripping on them. It is also often very easy to get in the habit of setting items on the stairs, such as a purse or a box you intend to take upstairs later. However, this can be a very dangerous habit and greatly increases the risk of a fall.
Carpet runners and loose carpet near the staircase can also increase the risk of a fall. In the case of the former, the carpet runner must be well secured to the staircase and not too thick.
Instead of installing a carpet runner, many advocate using a brightly colored tape with a grit like texture on it. This textured tape can be placed on the individual steps, adding a little bit of traction and also making the steps much easier to see.
By using alternating high-contrast colors on each step, it is much easier for those who suffer from degenerative eye disorders, such as glaucoma, to make out the individual steps. Make sure to use a separate color on the first and last step, so it is easy to tell when the staircase is about to end.
Having a secure handrail is also very important and studies have also shown that having two handrails, one on either side of the staircase, significantly reduces the risk of a senior fall. It is important that the handrail is smooth and positioned at a height that can be easily reached by the senior. The handrail should also be well secured to the wall.
While making the actual staircase safer is very important and can greatly reduce the risk of an elderly fall, sometimes no matter what the precaution, the senior can simply not use the staircase safely. This is one reason that it is also very important to evaluate the abilities of the senior at the same time that you are evaluating the safety of the stairway. In cases where the senior is unable to use the stairs safely, a stair lift or elevator can be installed, with the former usually being a much less expensive option.
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