Who wouldn’t want to age in place? The wish to live out your life surrounded by your loved ones is something we all have, don’t we? Of course, if we’re lucky, we’ll all live long and fruitful lives in the company of our loved ones. However, for so many Canadian seniors, aging in place isn’t entirely possible.
There are many reasons for this, of course. Some elderly individuals have no choice but to live in long-term care facilities since they don’t reside in areas near their family members. Perhaps, some have outlived their family members and have no true place to call home. For many other older adults, however, aging in place isn’t possible because of their mobility issues. This is especially true for those who live in houses with multiple floors.
How do stair lifts help seniors to age in place?
Stair lifts are incredibly effective solutions when a set of stairs keeps you from enjoying your whole home. Whether it’s a straight or curved stair lift, it can provide individuals with mobility issues safe access to multiple levels of their homes. Naturally, for elderly individuals who struggle with strength and balance, the addition of stair lifts makes their homes a lot safer.
A stair lift also promotes independence for wheelchair users who would otherwise need a caregiver’s assistance to get up and down the stairs. With a stair lift in the home, a family can safely and comfortably maintain living arrangements for its elderly members. Instead of living in a long-term care facility, staying in an accessible home – where seniors are surrounded by family – is a much preferable scenario.
How important is aging in place to Canadian seniors?
In April of last year, March of Dimes Canada published the findings of their National Home Modifications Survey. Conducted in March of 2021, the survey revealed that 78 percent of Canadians want to age in their current homes. Meanwhile, only 26 percent predict that they will be able to do so.
As reported on Newswire.ca, the study also found that a whopping 93 percent of seniors agree that home modifications help people to age in place. “Home modifications were seen as a more cost-effective solution than living in a retirement home of long-term care facility by 63 per cent of adults and 83 per cent of seniors,” the site reports of the survey.
“Remaining independent and avoiding long-term care are key drivers for more than half of Canadians, including over 60 percent of seniors, who said they are planning to modify their homes for care reasons,” further reveals March of Dimes Canada.
What considerations are important when choosing a stair lift?
Firstly, it’s important to note that there are stair lifts available for both straight and curved staircases. Naturally, you will need to select the stair lift that is appropriate for the stairs in your home. Next, you’ll want to decide which side of the stair case the stair lift should be installed. As well, is the staircase uninterrupted from bottom to top?
You also need to consider if there is a landing between different sections of your stairs. Also, does the staircase have any turns? Is there a doorway or closet door close to the top or bottom of the stairs?
The Advantage Home Health Solutions team always ensures that you have the complete picture to make an informed stair lift purchase. We’ll help you through the considerations listed above so you can choose which stair lift solution is best for you. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
