Does your home have two stairs? Does it have a flight of stairs? Are you concerned about mobility aging in place? How to: Retrofit Stairs for Aging in Place I specialize in helping seniors downsize on The Main Line PA. There are so many options for moving into communities with homes that are specially designed for aging in place, but that may not be an option for many and some seniors prefer to retrofit their homes. There are also buyers looking for housing that is multigenerational and may have found the perfect home, save for stairs that are limit long term mobility. Here are some ways that you can retrofit homes and bring in universal design for mobility. There are five components to creating safer stairs for seniors. First, be sure that the stairs have a non slip component. This can be anywhere from a finish to an overlay of non slip material. A step like this makes it safer for children as well. Second, install hand rails properly. Many standard banisters do not flow to the very bottom of stairs or are not designed for those with limited mobility. If you have the budget, universal design specialists are great to consult on how to install these that are not disruptive to your design. Third, proper lighting. Lighting around stairs again is not just for seniors. Properly lit stairs help everyone and prevent accidents, of all ages. There are also ways to light stairs that create different design effects on your space, so when I have buyers buying homes and looking to make these type of upgrades, I recommend hiring a lighting designer. Many people think of lighting stairs to make them easier to see as a dreaded fluorescent light dressing room scenario, but truly it is not the case. Fourth, adaptive equipment. Unlike lighting or non slip adjustments, adaptive equipment such as lifts are not going to be easy to make design friendly. However, they are very necessary for continuum care. When shopping for a multigenerational home, keep this in mind. Lastly, it might be tempting to have design elements or lots of pictures lining your stairs, these can not only be distracting, but can be a hazard for seniors. Be sure that all pictures are securely hung and that there is not too much clutter lining your stairs. If you are looking for a multigenerational housing solution or a solution for your loved one, I specialize in helping families navigate continuum living solutions. Please see my resources for seniors and families looking for aging in place options. Let’s take this next step together.
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