How Handrails Help Promote Mobility For The Elderly

Stairs provide a unique challenge for the elderly. They’re an everyday mountain to climb and can be difficult to summit over and over again. They can also be surprisingly dangerous. Falls are the leading cause of death in people 65 or older, and 60 percent of those falls involve steps or stairs. It’s been found that over 100,000 elderly require medical attention each year due to a stair related injury. 

While moving to a facility or home without stairs is the best way to lessen the chance of a stair related injury, it isn’t always feasible. Not only is it expensive to move, but many elderly family members also don’t want to move. According to AARP, 90 percent of people age 65 and older want to stay in their current home. So the question becomes, how do we make sure our elderly family members are safe without inconveniencing them or going against their wishes?

One easy way is to install a handrail.  A good handrail isn’t just for aesthetics, it’s also a great, non-intrusive way to improve an elderly loved one’s quality of life while lessening the chance of a fall. 

Stairs often act as a barrier that keeps elderly family members from participating in many activities. Whether it’s going outside to fetch the paper, or going to a family event, stairs can really limit mobility. This is most evident when looking at a loved one’s front door. Even just a few stairs leading up to an elderly family member’s home entrance way can leave them feeling trapped, barring them from doing things they love. Installing a handrail is an excellent way to help make stairs a little easier, and to promote mobility in elderly loved ones.

There are many handrails on the market, so it’s important to be conscious of inferior quality products. Whether it’s in the construction or the installation, not all handrails are created equal. Fortunately, Fortin Ironworks’ DIY Handrails is a name you can trust. We understand how invaluable top quality handrails can truly be to you and your family. Our beautiful wrought iron handrails provide stability, reliability, and security to your home. Our wide variety styled handrails fit many different steps, and meets or exceeds all local handrail codes. They come ready to install with minimal assembly, and their strong welded construction is designed not to weaken over time. Our handrails provide safe mobility you can trust, compatible with outdoor, indoor, concrete, natural stone steps and more.