Best Mobility Solutions for the Home

Surveys consistently show that almost all people would prefer to live independently in their own homes full of memories and the warmth of friends and family, rather than moving to assisted living facilities or nursing home.

As we get older, mobility issues and the resulting increased risks of falls can increase. However, the good news is that many of these trips are avoidable by making your home safe for your mobility needs now and in the future. Furthermore, investing ahead of time can be cost effective as prevention is often more cost-effective than unexpected care fees.

Older adults who lose their mobility are less likely to remain living at home and are likely to have a poorer quality of life, have higher rates of disease, disability, and lower life expectancy. Approximately 25% of adults aged 65 and older report difficulty walking a quarter of a mile or climbing stairs, and approximately 15% of older adults have severe mobility limitations. Most falls and trips happen in the home and can be a leading cause of decline. Falls are the most common cause of injury among older people in the UK. Each year, approximately 150,000 older adults are hospitalised due to falls.

Mobility solutions are a great way of risking injury by making your home safe, accessible and easy to navigate in comfort. When simple household tasks and chores are easier to complete, you will have more energy for the everyday living boosting your physical and mental wellbeing. Why exhaust yourself on the stairs, for example, when a lift would take the strain so that you can expend that energy taking a walk, catching up with friends or baking a cake?

Here at Home Lift Experts we explore some of the best mobility solutions for your home:

1. Ramps: Steps are naturally a trip hazard; ramps can make it easier to navigate inclines and are very helpful for those using wheelchairs or walkers. Ramps can be portable or permanent fixtures depending upon frequency of use and needs. Ramps can be installed externally to support entering and exiting the home, or they can be installed within the home to support navigating steps between rooms.
2. Grab Bars: A steadying hand can help anyone risk losing their balance, and a grab bar provides a steady hand in critical placements such as next to toilets and alongside baths. Installing grab bars in bathrooms and near stairs can provide support and prevent falls. Grab bars can be useful externally where there is rough or uneven ground or small amounts of steps where a handrail is not present.
3. Walk-in Tubs and Showers: Getting into the bath can become very difficult as we get older. Installing walk in tubs and showers provides safer bathing options as we lose our flexibility and mobility. Having easier to navigate bathing options, improves personal hygiene, reduces the risks of infection and boosts our sense of wellbeing.
4. Non-slip Flooring: Slips are often caused by slippery flooring, upturned corners and worn-out rugs and carpets. Review your flooring to mitigate any tips hazards and replace flooring where necessary. Ensure that you use rugs with non-slip backing or consider non-slip tiles to reduce the risk of falls.
5. Stairlifts: A stairlift where a chair is mechanically attached to a rail helps individuals move between levels safely and comfortably between floors. A wide staircase is needed, and you need the mobility to get in and out of the chairlift. Alternatively, there are standing stairlifts available.
6. Home Lifts: A domestic lift can be a great long-term solution for mobility issues and allow users to transport mobility aids between different floors of the home. A home lift allows items to be moved through the home easily, such as vacuum cleaners and laundry baskets making domestic chores easier for those with mobility issues and/or their carers or guests. Domestic lifts can also transport wheelchairs or transport you from the garage to your living space.
7. Smart Home Technology: Technology has advanced to provide some fantastic voice-activated devices and smart home systems that support people in their homes. Online solutions for heating your home, answering the door and operating technology can greatly enhance the convenience and accessibility of your home.
8. Adjustable Furniture: Items such as adjustable beds and chairs that mechanically lift to help you rise can provide comfort and ease of use. Reduced strain when getting up can help with general mobility throughout the day. Simple tasks such as getting up to make a warming cup of tea can be made easier with adjustable furniture.
9. Mobility Aids: It is good to maintain as much mobility as you can and items such as walkers, rollators, and canes can help you to move as much as possible and maintain independence. Seated exercise pedals and steppers can be a good addition so that you can keep ankles strong and get the blood pumping around your legs.
10. Home Modifications: Whatever causes you challenges could be changed. Sometimes simple changes, like widening doorways or lowering countertops, can make a big difference to your comfort and wellbeing.