Balance, strength, and stability are all things that gradually challenge us as we age, making stair lifts for seniors a necessity for aging in place.
If you’ve never heard the term, or if you have but haven’t put much thought into it and have elderly family and family members, stick around. In this article, we’ll dive into what aging in place is, why it’s important to most people, and how stair lifts make it possible for seniors to do so safely.
The term aging in place simply refers to seniors living in their homes rather than making the transition to assisted living facilities.
It’s easy to see why many would want to age in place, especially if they’ve inhabited their home for decades. The memories they’ve created and the bonds made with their local community aren’t easy to just let go of, especially if there are other solutions to mobility issues.
Aging typically means that a senior will require more care, especially when it comes to mobility. While no one dreams of moving away from their home, these issues can make it difficult for most seniors to move about without pain and the possibility of injury.
When you think of assisted living homes, most people envision nurses helping seniors move around from room to room, and in senior living communities, most homes are built as single-floor plans.
But this doesn’t have to be the situation for all seniors, and some may only require home modifications like bath lifts or wheelchair ramps, in other cases, something as simple as a stair lift can make a world of difference.
Here’s how:
Aside from mobility issues, cardiovascular and respiratory health is another concern for seniors who wish to age in place.
While some movement is good — for example walking from room to room in a single-level home — Stair lifts make it easy for seniors to preserve their energy levels by having someone move them around when possible to avoid straining themselves moving from floor to floor.
The result? More energy for the things that matter! Instead of a senior exerting themselves going up and down stairs, they can use this newfound energy to tackle their favorite hobbies and even just have more energy to spend time with loved ones.
The more energy one can preserve, the happier one will feel about aging in place.
The National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted a study in which they surveyed 2,277 adults aged 50 to 80 on how important it was for them to live in their homes as long as possible. An astonishing 88% of respondents said it was either somewhat or very important for them to do so.
Yet, only 15% said they have thought about how they would need to modify their homes to do so.
This means that a majority of seniors will more than likely have to leave their homes due to improper preparation for aging in place, or risk injury by attempting to navigate their homes without the necessary additions.
By simply incorporating a stair lift into a senior’s home, you’re already on your way to helping them age in place much more safely than most people.
Taking a fall, especially in one’s own home, can foster a sense of fear when it comes to getting around. Because stair lifts are made to keep seniors safe when navigating more challenging parts of their homes, they can continue to feel safe, and to the point prior, avoid thoughts of moving into care facilities.
It’s true.
As unfortunate as this may sound, some seniors who move into assisted living may encounter fewer family visits. Reasons can range from loved ones not being able to make it out to facilities if they are out of the way, to some being uncomfortable visiting a nursing home.
Stair lifts for seniors can help keep them in their homes and keep family visiting more often, especially if there are dedicated family members who are willing to operate the lifts.
A good stair lift needs to be safe to use, but also easy to use for individuals helping seniors navigate their homes.
At Mobile Stairlift, we aim to provide the best experience for seniors who use our stair lifts, as well as for the people moving the lifts around. Our stair lifts are:
Of course, some individuals may need more intensive modifications done to their homes depending on their health, but a stair lift can be the difference between aging in place and having to move into an assisted living facility for others.
We know that aging can bring new challenges, and at Mobile Stairlift, we’re ready to tackle them with you. We make it as easy, comfortable, and safe as possible for you to help your loved ones navigate their home.
Explore our selection of stair lifts for seniors looking to age in place today. If you have questions about our products, don’t hesitate to reach out online or at 212-366-5483.