Handrails and Grab Bars
More than 1/3 of adults over age 65 are injured from falls every year. Many could be prevented by the addition of handrails and grab bars.
Most seniors express the desire to age in their own homes, but do not or cannot because neither they nor their family members have had the foresight to create a safe environment for them. We are all guilty of denial and as a result we do not think to take these steps until a crisis occurs. Traditional housing designs do not take into consideration things like dimming vision, mobility issues, or other frailties associated with aging. Most falls occur in our own homes, but many of them could be prevented by the installation of simple grab bars and handrails.
Avoiding falls is crucial for independent living. Falls are the main reason that most seniors need to enter care facilities so a little prevention can go a long way.
The goal of making a house fall-proof centers both on being able to get in and out of the house, and in being able to navigate around the house safely. Think about how you move around your place and map out where you want to place grab bars and handrails accordingly.
Because universal design is becoming such a popular concept it will not be difficult to find bars and rails that compliment the design of your home. Through use of innovated products and accessible design it is possible to preserve personal independence and promote safety without compromising the attractiveness of your home.
Handrails should be installed in every stairway (preferably on both sides) in the home as well as any location where there are changes in floor levels. In addition, adding handrails to a long hallway or living area can offer a disabled or elderly person the extra support that they need to navigate safely throughout the house.
When planning places to add handrails, don’t forget to take the exterior of your home into consideration also. Handrails should be included along ramps, along walkways or any other platform area. You can hire a specialist to help you or you can find kits available through local lumber companies and home improvement outlets.
Smooth, round handrails offer the best grip. Choose a size that is easy to grasp between thumb and fingers and install them 1 ½ inches from the wall in order to allow sufficient room to grip the bar without being large enough to capture an arm. The hardware needs to be sturdy enough to support at least 250 pounds.
Grab bars are just another type of rail. It is important to install them around the room, wherever a holding on place may be needed. Grab bars and rails come in many beautiful finishes, colors and designs so your home needn’t look like an institution or scream that a handicap person lives here. The key consideration is to install the rails and grab bars before the fall occurs.
Further reading:
Universal Design for the Home: Great Looking, Great Living Design for All Ages, Abilities, and Circumstances
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