Stairs climbing could be a very good way for aging adults in retirement communities to exercise their bodies. However, as we age, chronic pain, inflexibility, or vision issues can lead to trouble with the stairs. According to the National Council on Aging, one in four Americans over the age of 65 falls each year. Aging adults’ falls can be devastating, it can result in traumatic brain injuries and broken bones. These injuries can require surgery and lengthy hospitalization. Hence, the stairways should be made safe for aging adults as much as possible to avoid hazards.
Here are the measures senior living in La Porte, TX take to ensure that the stairs are safer for aging adults.
Use of Anti-Slip Products
The surface of the stairs can make steps more difficult for aging adults who are unsteady, or who use a cane. To have the safest surface and to protect the resident from slipping off the stairs, independent living communities put different measures in place by using anti-slip products on the stairs. Some of these anti-slip products include; stair treads which these days come in the form of tape, carpet, and rubber. Sometimes, non-skid floor coating paint is also used.
Carpet runners, while a lovely décor addition, also add an increased risk of tripping, hence they are avoided in retirement communities.
- Installation of Handrails
To ensure the safety of aging adults, handrails are also installed on the stairs. Sturdy handrails are installed on both sides of the stairs to ensure easy grip and prevent aging adults from slipping and falling off the stairs.
- Adequate Lighting
As a number of aging adults might need enough light to see clearly, the community also ensures that stairways are well lighted, This is so that the aging adults can see properly while they navigate around the stairs, most especially the top and bottom steps because that’s where most falls occur.
- Availability of Adaptive Equipment
Adaptive equipment like stair lifts, half steps or blocks, stair walkers and bars, etc are also made available in some retirement communities to make the stairs safer for the residents.
- Ensuring Clutter-Free Stairways
To protect aging adults in retirement communities from slipping, the stairways are kept clean and free from clutters.
- Consistent Dimensions of Steps
To prevent the residents from tripping, the horizontal and vertical surfaces of stairs in retirement communities are made to be uniform.
- Adding Resting Spots
If a staircase allows for it, on a landing or curve, some retirement communities add a bench to offer a safe place to take a rest along the stairways. A small bench rightly positioned can give an aging adult a much-needed break on the way up or down the stairs.
- Using Contrasting Colors
For residents with vision difficulties, it can be a little bit difficult to tell where one step ends and the other begins. To help, some retirement communities paint the stairs in contrasting colors. Dark and light colors are alternated to make the stairs plainly visible.
- Fewer Stairs
Most retirement communities adapt the building structure to suit the residents. The communities are specially built to ensure that a minimum number of stairs are available in the apartments. This automatically means a reduction in the number of times the residents would need to use the stairways, and also, a lesser risk of hazards.
