Blog: Advantage Home Health Solutions Logo 

We want to help you understand what options are available so you have the information you need to determine the best solution for you in your home. We welcome your inquiry!

Preventing Slips And Falls By Eliminating Tripping Hazards From The Home

We’ve all taken a tumble at some point or another. For youngsters, slipping and falling isn’t usually a big deal. Scrapes and cuts are the general outcomes. Of course, those are the best case scenarios. As we get older, the prospects become a lot more grim. As the Government of Canada informs us on Canada.ca, falls are the leading cause of injury among older Canadians. So, for those who live with their elderly loved ones, it’s important to do everything possible to prevent falls.

Preventing falls starts with eliminating tripping hazards.

Are there wires jutting out from behind your electronic devices? Do you have throw rugs in your living areas? These are just a couple of the most common tripping hazards found in the home. Throw rugs, in fact, are considered one of the most dangerous items in our homes. On LiveScience.com, Dr. Kaycee Sink highlights the dangers they present.

“Throw rugs can actually be worse than stairs in terms of danger,” she writes, “People are more likely to be cautious going up and down stairs, and there’s a hand rail. With a throw rug, you’re walking quickly to get the phone, or you’re up at night to go to the bathroom in the dark and whoops, you’ve caught your toe on the corner and you go down.”

Better health gives us better stability.

Believe it or not, tripping hazards aren’t just the physical debris found on our walking surfaces. Another culprit of slips and falls is dizziness. This is why it’s so important to help the elderly loved ones in your life to maintain proper nutrition, exercise and the taking of prescribed medications for their physical ailments.

Alberta Health Services reveals that managing blood pressure is one of the top ways to prevent falls before they happen. To prevent the lightheadedness and dizziness that comes with sudden drops in blood pressure, they recommend eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and drinking a lot of water. Alberta Health Services also warns seniors to perform even the simplest of tasks slowly.

“Sometimes a drop in your blood pressure can happen when you get up from a lying or sitting position,” they inform, “This is called postural hypotension. Be careful and change your position slowly. If you have been lying down, sit for a few minutes. Stand up slowly and give your body time to adjust. Then slowly begin moving.”

We can help to virtually eliminate slips and falls!

At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we are well aware that even with the removal of as many tripping hazards as possible, falls may still occur for seniors who have significant mobility issues. This is especially true for those who attempt to climb the stairs without assistance. If you live with an elderly loved one who may be prone to slips and falls, we highly recommend the installation of a stair lift.

Sometimes called a stair chair or a chair lift, a stair lift makes it safe and easy for those with mobility issues to access multiple floors of your home. For more information about the high-quality stair lifts offered by Advantage Home Health Solutions, 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!

Stairlift | FAQ’s

What's the minimum width for a stair lift?

There are no specific width requirements to install a stairlift. All stairs in Canada are built to specific codes and standard widths, which we know will permit the installation of some type of stairlift. There are no renovations required; we install the stairlift in the space you have and based on your specific requirements. You do not have to remove handrails for a stairlift installation.

What's the average cost of a stair lift?

Many factors can influence the price of a stairlift such as number of stairs, curves, stopping points, nearby availability of power sources. We will always determine the most suitable, safe and cost effective solution for your specific needs.

Some of the price ranges for stairlifts can be found on our website. You may also qualify for funding

Do you carry anything similar to acorn chair lifts for stairs?

We carry both straight and curved stairlifts for various types of settings. What’s important to note is we have a PhotoSurvey system to assist us with exact measurements of your stairs. This system helps us in perfecting your stairlift installation and will ensure a safe, smooth and always complete ride up the stairs.

We are sure to have a model of stairlift suitable for your needs, safety and budgetary requirements.

Is it possible to install a stair lift myself?

If you have a bit of construction or technical, engineering type background, it’s possible. But there are a number of factors that would probably influence you NOT to do the installation yourself.

On the YES side:

If it’s a straight stairlift, it’s possible:

  • If there’s a supplier (manufacturer or dealer) willing to support you with installation questions.
  • If you have a bit of technical knowledge, good measurements and understanding of mathematical information to make the necessary calculations to get the right parts.

On the NO side:

  • It can be a bit complex or confusing. If you don’t have the correct tools for cutting or joining the rails.
  • If you run into an issue after installation (like a breakdown), it may not be covered by warranty.
  • If it involves a stairlift with turns or curves, it’s challenging to ensure the exact measurements that will ensure a perfectly smooth and safe ride.

We are sure to have a model of stairlift suitable for your needs, safety and budgetary requirements.

My stair lift is beeping. What could be wrong?

Here are some possibilities that could explain why your stair lift is beeping:

Power off, receptacle issues, tripped breaker, charger issues, dislodged from the charge strip, connection issue between charger and rail, not in locked position and therefore can’t use remote, seat not in lock position, obstruction, armrests not in down position, some safety issue that needs tending.

If your stair lift needs service, we’re happy to help. Just give us a call and we’ll do our best to help. If it’s not urgent, you can request more information or a service call here.

My stair lift will not move. What could be the problem?

There are several possibilities for a stairlift to not work:

  • key (incorrect position or missing)
  • armrests in the wrong position
  • if it’s not plugged in
  • if  batteries are drained from age or other reasons such as recent power outage.

If this didn’t solve the issue, you may need a service call. Reach out by phone and call 403-460-5438 or request more information about stair lift service here.

How is a stairlift installed?

When installing a stair lift, we’ll be sure to get as close to the wall or railing as possible. We’ll take measurements specific to your stairs and in the event of a curved stair lift, we’ll manufacture a unit specifically for your situation. We’ll mount the stair lift rail directly onto the stair treads.

A stairlift can typically be installed in one afternoon. We’ll always ensure the stair lift installation meets your needs for safety of the user as well as others in the home.

Find Out More About Stair Lifts… 

Ask us for a free, no obligation in-home assessment. Just fill out our information request and get a FREE consultation today.