For seniors, preventing falls is very important. This is because a fall can often result in a serious injury, sometimes as the result of disorders like osteoporosis, which causes the bones to become weaker and more fragile. Creating a safe environment is imperative to prevent falls. With the proper planning and evaluation of a home, it is possible to prevent many accidents before they happen.



Of all of the many places in a home that can lead to a fall, the stairs generally present the largest danger to a senior. Falls on the stairs are often much more serious and due to the way the stairs are designed, they simply present an area that is frankly very conducive to falling.

Determining the overall safety of the staircase is an important step in improving safety. You should note the height of the steps, how many steps there are, and how big the actual steps are. Also, uneven steps and a disproportionate distance between steps can increase the risk of falling for a senior.

If the staircase is too long, it is easy for a senior to become tired while walking up the stairs. This increases the risk of tripping. Generally if there are over ten steps between landings, the staircase would be leaning towards the long side.

Objects on the actual steps can also lead to falls. Of course this includes leaving your personal belongings on the steps, such as setting your pocketbook down, but also carpets can sometimes increase the risk of a fall. Carpets on and around the stairs should be physically secured to the floor, using carpet tacks. If they are not secured to the stairs or floor, they should generally be removed. It is very easy for the corner of an unsecured carpet to become turned up, or for it to slip when it is stepped on. Thick carpets, such as a shag, can also cause problems and increase the risk of tripping. Instead a very short tight carpet is a better choice. Having a proper amount of light is also very important, as is having at least one and preferably two handrails.

If the staircase itself is unsafe or if the senior is not able to safely use it, a stair lift can be installed to help reduce the risk of a fall. Stair lifts can be used to carry a senior up the stairs and safely back down. They help to increase independence and allowing a senior full access to their home, no matter what the state of the stairs is.

By carefully analyzing the stairs, making repair where necessary, and investing in a lifting aid, like a stair lift, if needed, the stairs can be transformed from a place of danger, to a place of safety. Seniors are at great risk of a fall, so finding a way to increase safety and reduce risks is exceptionally important on the staircase.