Growing older comes with its challenges — no matter how much you take care of yourself, this is inevitable. The fact is that the elderly often deal with some degree of disability — in fact, every 11 seconds, an older adult goes to the emergency room to be treated for a fall. This is something we need to think about for the long term future, as by 2030, senior citizens will account for 20% of the American population. Many people have the perception that the answer to growing older — and the only way to prevent falls and emergency room visits — is the typical retirement home. This can be incredibly demoralizing for senior citizens, as staying at home and maintain some degree of independence is important for most people. There are ways for people to outfit their homes in a manner that can help them stay independent for as long as possible. These include chair lifts for homes, stair lifts, wheelchair lifts, and handicap automatic door openers. With about 6.8 million Americans using assistive devices to aid their mobility, it’s entirely possible for people to get around the way they used to — just with a little help to make moving about the house safer. Below, we’ll look into some of the different options available for those who want to stay in their homes while growing older.
Handicap Automatic Door Openers
Handicap automatic door openers are some of the most beneficial additions that senior citizens can make to their homes, especially if they’re dealing with mobility issues. A handicap automatic door opener essentially opens a person’s door for them, and for that matter makes it easier for the door to close as well. Opening a door is a simple task, but it can be incredibly difficult for those in wheelchairs or with walkers. By having a door open automatically — with just the press of a button — a person is able to maintain some degree of independence. This not only helps a person stay of a retirement home — it also diminishes the reliance on caretakers and aides. This can be incredibly helpful for a person’s mental health, while at the same time preserving their physical health. Of course, an automatic door opener is really only the beginning for most people who need to have their homes made handicap accessible.
Platform Lifts For Homes
Platform lifts are vital for those who need to use a wheelchair — even if they don’t have to use a wheelchair all the time. Platform lifts are often meant for those who can’t make their way up the stairs in a timely manner, or at all. Stairs can be a major issue for senior citizens, as they obviously can’t be taken out of the home like other problematic factors. No amount of renovations will get rid of the challenges that stairs present — so why not add a platform lift? A platform lift doesn’t just make life easier for senior citizens. It also makes it genuinely better, eliminating a factor that causes stress, frustration, and sometimes even pain. When going up the stairs presents a challenge in daily life, the best thing you can do is take care of the problem with a platform lift.
Wheelchair Lifts For Vans
Of course, it often isn’t enough to simply add things to the home — you also need to make transportation easier, too. This doesn’t make things simpler only for senior citizens; it genuinely helps their caretakers as well. The fact is that getting around is an important part of independent living for most people, but there aren’t just mental health benefits to wheelchair lifts. The faster you can get into a car, the sooner you can get to places like hospitals — something that senior citizens do need to keep in mind.