3 Easy Ways to Avoid Stairs in Your Home

Fall injuries are too common in seniors today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 30 million older people will fall every year, and approximately 30,000 of those will result in death. While injuries due to falling are common, most of them are completely preventable by being proactive and taking precautions where needed. Stairs are major contributors to falls, as it’s just as easy to lose your balance and fall going up the stairs as it is going down. We’ve taken a look at three alternatives to stairs for you to consider incorporating in your home to make it a safer place to live.

A Wheelchair Ramp Can Replace Stairs

Installing a wheelchair ramp instead of using exterior stairs to enter the home is common. You don’t have to be confined to a wheelchair to benefit from a wheelchair ramp. Even people with limited mobility or poor balance can benefit since it’s much easier to walk up and down a gradual slope rather than lift your feet even just a couple of inches. Wheelchair ramps come in many different shapes and sizes and can be customized to your liking and to fit any unique needs you have. Plus, with various materials to choose from, you can select an option that won’t harm the aesthetics of your home.

Create Safe Accessibility With A Stair Lift

A stair lift is a common accessibility product for people with multi-level homes. When installed properly by a professional, going up and down the stairs is as simple as sitting on the seat, pressing a button and getting transported accordingly. A stair lift can be used whether you have a straight or curved staircase, and you can even install some models outdoors if you have a patio or deck with stairs. The safety and security provided by a stair lift are enough to make people strongly consider installing one, but the main benefit may be allowing you to access every level of your home easier than ever before.

Integrate An In-Home Elevator

An in-home elevator isn’t always thought of as a viable option for some people, but they are actually more reasonable than you may think. Many times an elevator can be incorporated into your existing architecture. You can even leave the current staircase intact if you have other people in the home who can use the stairs and prefer to do so. But for anyone in the home with mobility concerns, an elevator can be an elegant solution to consider.

One of the most common questions we get at Next Day Access is how homeowners can safely use their stairs. The truth is the safest way to use stairs if you have a mobility concern or limitation is to avoid them as much as possible. The good news is these three solutions offer different price points, styles and other options so you can find the perfect fit for you and your home. Don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a free home assessment and discuss your options.