Handrails can save your independence. Remember, a fall to an elderly person can mean much more than an injury. A broken hip or shoulder can mean months of recuperation and rehab, and it may mean the end of their independence. If your senior parent is already prone to falling, it’s a good idea to talk to them about measures to ensure their safety. It’s better to err on the side of caution than to have to rush to the emergency room with an injured senior.
If you, as a senior, or your senior parents live independently, it is of vital importance to install handrails in the bathrooms they use. Their lives may depend on it. In fact, tubs should have two handrails – one that can be reached from a sitting position and another for when they’re standing. It is also a good idea to have a third handrail or grip outside the tub that they can use while getting in and out.
Replace cabinet knobs with handles. Arthritis and stiff joints make grabbing small round knobs on cabinet drawers and doors difficult too. Replace these small knobs with C- or D-shaped pulls, which let you tuck your fingers around them, making it easier to open the door or drawer. Adding new pulls and handles is a quick, inexpensive way to update a kitchen while making it more comfortable, safe and convenient to use.
I installed one of these rails for my elderly neighbor who had previously taken a fall. She had no rails on her walls, and I was afraid she would fall again if she accidentally tripped or stumbled. The rail was very easy to install. I followed the directions and took me less than an hour. Very strong and sturdy. I am ordering another one for her since she wants one on the other side of the step.