Senior Spotlight: How To Make Your Stairs Safer

As a Senior Real Estate Specialist®, I have honestly lost count of how many calls I have received when a loved one had broken a hip and a lifelong home had to be sold because the stairs could no longer be managed. While I was always happy to help, I was always heartbroken that such a decision had to be made on an emergency timeline. As I came across this read titled ‘8 Ways to Make the Stairs Safer at Home’ published by AARP just last week, I knew that if this could save even one person from falling it was worth it!

The article reveals that every year, more than 1 million Americans injure themselves on stairs (an average of 3,000 injuries per day), with that risk increasing dramatically with age.  Gary Smith, M.D., lead author of the 2017 study and director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus (OH), completed a study that determined people age 60 and older are 6x more likely to be hospitalized after a stair-related injury. This is due to changes in coordination, strength and vision that naturally occur with age.

That statistic does not just apply to two story homes with an upstairs and downstairs – but to basement stairs, entry stairs, wooden steps from decks and stairs on concrete walkways leading to your front door.

Here are 8 tips from AARP on reducing risks associated with stairs, please be sure to read the article in full here.

#1: Add traction (such as rubber/abrasive stair treads and anti-slip tape strips).

#2: Install bright lights in stairwells and add wall-mounted motion sensor lights at ankle-height.

#3: Enhance visual cues with reflective tape or colored paint to the edge of each step.

#4: Make step height and depth consistent – paying special attention to the top step.

#5: Eliminate the bottom-step illusion, when the last step blends into the landing.

#6: Upgrade your handrail (most are original!).

#7: Clear the clutter that often accumulates at the top or bottom of the stairs and becomes a tripping hazard.

#8: Consider a stair lift (check for insurance coverages and get tips from your local area’s agency on aging).

After reading this list, I know that there are at least 2-3 things I can add to my home this week to improve my own stair safety, how about you?

Warmest regards,

Bobbi

Bobbi Decker
DRE#00607999

Broker Associate
650.346.5352 cell
650.577.3127 efax
www.bobbidecker.com


NAR Instructor….“Designations Create Distinctions”
CIPS, SRS, ABR, CRS, SRES, GRI, CLHMS, REI, AHWD, RSPS, MSLG

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