For older adults, living at home can be a source of comfort and independence. However, for many seniors and individuals with mobility challenges, staircases can be a problem. According to OCI Group, a Health Canada report found that about 13 percent of fall-related injuries to seniors over 65 years old occur when ascending or descending stairs.
The University of Ottawa’s Community Health Research Unit published a kit for improving stair safety. In it, they report that “stairs are a particular hazard; they are involved in 10 to 15 percent of all falls by seniors. Falls on stairs account for about 10 percent of all fatal falls in Canada, but 70 percent of people who die from falling on stairs are 65 years or older.”
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we are big advocators for the installation of stair lifts in Calgary. This is because we understand how mobility limitations can affect seniors, people with disabilities and their caregivers. A stair lift isn’t simply a convenience. It’s a transformative tool that helps manage many ailments by improving safety, reducing pain and enhancing quality of life. So which common ailments can a stair lift help you to manage better?
Osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is defined as the wearing down of the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones. Especially when it impacts the knees and hips, it is one of the most common conditions impacting mobility. Climbing stairs requires significant use of these joints, increasing wear, inflammation and pain. In one of our previous blogs, we pointed out that the pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis can severely limit mobility.
“Simple tasks like standing up from a chair, climbing stairs or walking can become challenging and painful,” we wrote, “In addition, activities like cooking, cleaning, dressing and maintaining personal hygiene can become difficult. Reduced mobility can affect independence, as older adults may find it increasingly hard to perform essential activities of daily living.”
By installing a stair lift in your home, you remove the repetitive strain placed on the painful joints of an osteoarthritis sufferer. The stair lift will also help to reduce pressure during transfers at the top and bottom of stairs. As well, it helps to maintain independence with less medication and fewer emergency visits. By eliminating painful climbing, stair lifts support joint health and slow disease progression.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation in the joints. It can result in painful deformity and immobility, especially in the fingers, wrists, hands, shoulders, knees, feet and ankles. Even with anti-inflammatory medications, joint stiffness significantly impairs stair use, increasing the risk of slips and falls.
According to Arthritis Society Canada, “rheumatoid arthritis usually starts over a period of weeks to months, with more joints becoming affected over time. You should see your doctor if you experience one or more of the following symptoms for more than six weeks.” They note that reduced ability to move the joints is a top symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Of course, this can make it difficult to climb the stairs.
With a stair lift in your home, you can minimize joint stress and friction in your family member with rheumatoid arthritis. As well, it reduces inflammation that is triggered by physical exertion. A stair lift’s safe, controlled vertical travel leads to fewer flares, better sleep and improved daily function.
Chronic lower back pain.
Conditions such as lumbar disc degeneration, spinal stenosis and sciatica often result in average or extreme discomfort when using stairs. Lumbar disc degeneration is an age-related degenerative disc disease defined as a loss of function of one or more intervertebral discs of the spine. Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal resulting in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Sciatica refers to pain that shoots down the legs from the lower back.
To help you contend with sciatica pain, MyHealth Alberta recommends that you take short walks every 2 to 3 hours. However, they also advise people to “avoid slopes, hills and stairs until you feel better. Walk only distances you can manage without pain, especially leg pain.”
If you have a stair lift in your home, you offer a smooth ride to sufferers with chronic lower back pain. A stair lift allows for safe ascent and descent even when back flare-ups occur. It helps to reduce the risk of posture-related back strain. This supports better pain management and faster recovery after periods of increased symptoms.
Stroke and balance disorders.
Individuals recovering from stroke, Parkinson’s disease, vestibular dysfunction or vertigo may experience impaired balance, coordination and muscle weakness. A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to a part of the brain causes cell death. Parkinson disease is a brain condition that causes problems with movement, mental health, sleep, pain and other health issues. Vestibular dysfunction is a disturbance of the body’s balance system.
“Vertigo is a feeling that you or your surroundings are moving when there is no actual movement,” explains MyHealth Alberta, “You may feel as though you are off balance, spinning, whirling, falling, or tilting. You may feel very nauseated or vomit. You may have trouble walking or standing. And you may lose your balance and fall.” Needless to say, all of these conditions make stair climbing dangerous.
A stair lift will help to all but eliminate the risk of stroke-related falls and injuries. It provides stable seating and an easy-to-reach handrail. As a result, a stair lift encourages confidence and independence during stroke recovery. For many clients, a stair lift reduces reliance on full-time home care, allowing for safer, more independent living.
Let’s find the perfect stair lift for your home!
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we carry a wide range of top-quality stair lifts of both the straight and curved variety. The Handicare 1100 Straight Stairlift has an ultra-streamlined design that takes up less space. It’s the perfect stair lift for all staircase configurations, including narrow stairs. The Patented Multi-Drive System ensures your stair lift is performing at peak levels at all times.
The FreeCurve stair lift is the most luxurious continuous rail stair lift on the market today. Custom built to fit your staircase, its unique and elegant single track design is available for installation in a variety of colours and 3 seat styles to match your home décor and safety needs. 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!
