Improving accessibility in the home can make a significant difference to people living with mobility impairments, and there are more solutions on the market than ever.
Cutting-edge accessibility equipment, such as stairlifts and ceiling lifts, use the latest technologies to aid movement throughout the home safely. But two of the most effective solutions are also incredibly simple in their design and installation: grab bars and railings.
What benefits do they offer? And how can you install them on your property to improve accessibility?
We’ll answer both questions in detail below.
What are the Benefits of Grab Bars and Railings?
Here are five of the biggest benefits of fitting grab bars and railings in your home:
Navigate Your Home Safely
If you have impaired mobility, you may find moving around certain areas of your home difficult — even dangerous. Everyone has the right to feel safe and relaxed in their own property, but simply walking along a hallway can become stressful, risky, and time-consuming if you struggle to remain stable on your feet.
Fortunately, fitting grab bars and railings in your home can help you save time and stay safe. Strategic positioning ensures you’ll have secure fixtures to hold onto as you navigate hallways and rooms, bringing you more freedom than you may be used to.
Regain Your Independence
Installing grab bars and railings can restore your independence if you typically rely on help from a carer or loved one to move around your home. You won’t need to wait until they’re free to assist you, which can be an issue if your carer or partner is busy in another room. For example, you may be able to pull yourself up onto your feet with grab bars close to your favorite chair and use railings to walk from room to room without help.
Regaining your independence may also enable you to stay in your own home instead of moving into an assisted living center. A survey by March of Dimes Canada found that 63% of adults and 83% of seniors agree that home modifications are a more cost-effective option than living in a retirement home.
Installing grab bars, railings, and other accessibility aids incur expense, but that’s significantly more affordable than paying for years of professional care. If you live in Ontario, you may be eligible for the Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit which provides financial support to people living with various disabilities and mobility limitations. The government announced this scheme in late 2020 to allow seniors to stay in their own homes for longer.
If you qualify for the Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit, you may be able to claim a tax credit of up to $2,500 towards home modifications.
Reduce Your Risk of Falls in the Bathroom
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), accidental falls sent almost 1,800 Canadians to emergency departments every day in just one year. Within that period, more than 114,000 emergency visits were related to falls within the home.
People who are infirm or struggle to maintain their balance are particularly at risk of falls, either through a disability, injury, or age-related mobility limitations. And the bathroom is one of the most dangerous rooms in the home: running hot water can create condensation on surfaces, while splashes of water will form puddles on floors.
Using a bath or shower adds to a bathroom’s danger too. Climbing into a bath, for example, can be difficult, but you may feel uncomfortable receiving help from a carer or loved one. While walk-in baths and seated showers are designed to improve bathroom safety, adding grab bars and railings is a fantastic way to cut risks further.
Climb External Stairs or Ramps More Safely
Stairs outside your home may make coming and going difficult, especially in wet or icy conditions. Simply taking a few steps down to street level or climbing up to your front door can inspire dread if you have mobility impairments. An assistant or spouse may be available to assist you sometimes, but it’s not always convenient to rely on others.
Wheelchair users can get around this by adding a ramp, but this can still be dangerous when the surface becomes slippery. A simple railing can increase safety for you and visitors, (e.g. when a friend brings you shopping if you’re unable to go to a store yourself).
Regardless of the weather, fitting grab bars or railings to external stairs or a ramp creates convenient, secure handholds all year round.
A Helpful Addition to Other Accessibility Solutions
You can install grab bars and railings strategically to enhance other accessibility equipment in your home. For example, adding grab bars to walls at the top and bottom of your stairs can help you climb in or out of your stairlift securely. This can also make it easier to transfer from a stairlift to your wheelchair (and vice versa).
If you have a carer, grab bars and railings will help them stay on their feet while they help you with everyday tasks, such as helping you out of bed. That creates a safer experience for both of you.
How Can You Install Grab Bars and Railings at Home?
A trusted provider of accessibility equipment will fit your grab bars and railings efficiently and at a competitive price. It’s vital that you choose an experienced supplier with a solid reputation and a commitment to quality products.
For more than 30 years, Total Accessibility Solutions has helped countless homeowners regain their independence, stay in their own properties for longer, and enjoy a better quality of life overall.
We provide a wide range of indoor and outdoor solutions beyond grab bars and railings, including stairlifts for curved and straight staircases, with the latest models from trusted manufacturers. We also provide the best warranty in the industry, as well as lift buyback plans.
Other solutions include floor lifts, transferring devices, bathroom conversions, and more. Please contact our friendly team to discover how we can make your home safer and more accessible!