Accessibility Solutions for the Holidays - Stair Lifts, Wheelchair Ramps & More!
Posted on by Eric Rubel
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” The holiday season is officially here, bringing lots of joy and cheer to families and friends gathering for holiday events and parties
The holiday season is also a time where you may see family members, some that you have not seen for months. If you see elderly relatives with mobility challenges, or recent loss of strength or balance, it may be a perfect time to ask how they're doing and pay attention to any potential challenges they may be having as they navigate around the house.
In this post, we will:
- Identify areas of a home that can be challenging or pose a risk of a fall for those with limited mobility
- Introduce potential solutions that you may consider gifting to loved ones to improve their comfort and quality of life at home this holiday season & in the new year
- Highlight the basics of some of the most common home accessibility solutions.
Solutions to Make the Stairs Safer & Easier to Navigate for Holidays and New Year
Walking up or down a staircase can be very difficult and tiresome when balance, mobility or strength has become limited. Stairways are a place where accidents commonly happen, and those accidents can result in very serious injuries. Regardless if it is a staircase that leads to bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs, or laundry room in the basement, it is important to ensure a safe means for navigating it.
One of the most common solutions to address this issue is a stair lift.
Stair Lifts
One of the simplest and most cost-effective solutions to make the stairs easier to navigate is a stair lift. Mounted to the treads of a staircase, stair lifts can typically be installed within a day or two in some cases, offering a quick solution.
Stair lifts can be installed on straight staircases, and ones that have curves, turns or landings, both indoors and outdoors. There are multiple features and options to enhance safety, depending on the user's needs.
For the holidays, renting a stairlift is a great option to considered if the lift is only needed for a month or two.
Lifeway Mobility is a leading provider of stair lifts, including professional installation and service available as needed. We also have local showrooms at several locations nationwide, which provides the option to “test ride” a lift to get comfortable with the controls and ensure best fit.
Improving Access to Home Entrances This Holiday Season
Whether it is a front, garage, or patio door, there should be a safe and easy way to get in and out of the house, regardless of one's mobility. If you have steps leading up to your front door, check to make sure they are not loose or uneven. Is there adequate lighting or motion sensors? A hand rail for a elder relative with balance issues? Fortunately, there are couple different solutions to improve access to raised entryways such as porches and decks and for smaller barriers, such as a threshold.
Below are a couple options to consider.
Aluminum Wheelchair Ramps
An aluminum modular wheelchair ramp is one of the most common home access solutions for wheelchair and powerchair users. There are minimal modifications required and you can have one professionally installed within days. Available in a variety of sizes and shapes and maintenance-free, an aluminum wheelchair ramp is one of the best options to consider. Aluminum modular ramps can also customized to fit the outside layout of a home to ensure a safe entrance for the person in need and for visitors.
These types of wheelchair ramps are also weatherproof, making it a perfect solution in the winter for the colder climate regions across the Rocky Mountains, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southern New England & Southeast. You can use ice melt on aluminum ramps, but the only ingredient must be magnesium chloride. Other types of salt melts commonly put down on the ground in the winter cannot be used on aluminum because it will damage the surface.
Learn more about maintaining your aluminum wheelchair ramp this winter.
Wheelchair Lifts
A wheelchair lift, also known as a platform lift, is a great option for improving accessibility to a home for wheelchair and power chair users when space is limited. They provide a simple means of access and can help wheelchair and powerchair users to regain their independence at home.
These types of lifts are more permanent solutions when compared to wheelchair ramps and also have a much longer "turnaround time" than ramps and cannot be rented.
Threshold Ramps
Smaller thresholds can make it difficult to access entryways for those get around using a wheelchair, scooter, or walker. While it may be a minimal barrier, it still prevents the wheels of a wheelchair or walker from rolling over it with ease.
There are rubber and aluminum threshold ramps that can be easily added over the threshold to remove a barrier and improve safe access to your home.
Improve Safety in the Bathroom
Wet floors and surfaces are common in the bathroom, which is one of the reasons it is the room in the home where most falls occur each year. Both the toilet and either bath and shower can become difficult and unsafe for people with limited mobility and/or balance issues. There are several simple solutions to improve safety, such as a built-in grab bar or safety pole (not the ones with suction cups!) that can be installed within a day.
In addition, there are larger modifications, such as a full bathroom-remodel, barrier free showers, and walk-in tubs. Each are long-term solutions that provide a safe and accessible way to bathe. An individual's mobility needs help Lifeway Mobility accessibility experts determine which of the two is going to be the better solution.
Other Ways to Improve "Visitability" When Family with Limited Mobility Visit for the Holidays
If you are planning on having loved ones with limited mobility in your home to visit for the holidays, it is important to make sure your home is safe and accessible. If you are not familiar with the term, visitability, it refers to a home being designed or modified in a way so that relatives or others that use wheelchairs or walkers can safely visit. For those with limited mobility, even small obstructions can become a barrier to moving freely throughout the house.
Fall prevention is critical. Below are some additional ways to keep relatives safe for a visit or temporary stay and can help plan for when they return to their own home.
Keep outdoor entrances clear and open and salt and/or sand driveways and sidewalks throughout the winter- Make sure your house number can be seen from the street so guests and emergency vehicles can easily find your home
- Have a grab bar or support pole added in the bathroom or anywhere else where for better balance and stability
- Rent an aluminum ramp or straight stair lift for easy and safe access to your home
Remove throw rugs, especially in the bathroom- Keep stairways well-lit and clear of clutter, especially near the top and bottom landings
- Remove small items and tripping hazards, such as pet toys, from the floor in main hallways and living rooms
- Keep surfaces (floors, countertops, etc.) dry, especially in the bathroom
- Add night lights in the bedroom and bathroom for better visibility
Rental Stair Lifts & Ramps for Holiday Visits or other Temporary Living Situations
A rental stair lift and/or ramp is a perfect option if family members visiting for a short period of time are unable to safely use the stairs or access a raised entryway. The stair lifts and ramps that we offer for rental are used units that are cleaned, inspected and in good condition. Availability is subject to our local warehouse’s inventory.
Rental Stair Lifts
Rental stair lifts are only available for straight staircases and must be rented for a minimum of 2 months. Installation and removal are covered in the initial cost and a monthly rental fee applies for both products. It also includes service provided by our own certified technicians if needed.
Rental Wheelchair Ramps
The rental wheelchair ramps that we offer are typically pre-owned aluminum modular units. They can be installed year-round and are maintenance-free.
Both solutions above are great for temporary living situations, such as holiday visits from out of town. If it turns out that the lift or ramp is needed for a much longer period (more than 6 months) a rent-to-own purchase option is available.
Many of these solutions can go a long way in improving a relative’s independence and peace of mind during the holiday season and in the future.
Contact us to learn more about the accessibility solutions and tips that were covered in this post or to set up a free consultation.
We hope you and your family have a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season and joyful new year!
Sources:
1. https://injepijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2197-1714-1-5