Fewer Elderly Needing Support Doesn’t Mean the Threat of Fall Injuries is Gone

Lesser older adults are now reporting difficulties with daily tasks like going up and down stairs, treading to grocery stores, or independently using common residential facilities like a shower or a sink. A recent study found that seniors with functional limitations dropped from 27.3% in 2008 to 23.5% in 2017, equivalent to 1.9 million fewer older adults having these limitations. It’s great news to know that the number of elderly individuals who struggle with mobility tasks such as climbing stairs, standing or walking, or performing routine self-care tasks such as dressing and bathing has decreased.

However, the fact stands that falls remain the second most common cause of unintentional death, according to the CDC. Falls still is the most common cause of death in geriatric patients, with 95% of falls causing hip fractures from falling sideways.

How Handicap Ramps Assist People with Mobility Issues

Elderly individuals and people with disabilities often have difficulty navigating steps or thresholds in their homes, creating barriers to moving around freely and safely. Handicap ramps solve this issue by allowing these individuals to access different areas of their homes with greater ease and independence. These ramps can be installed inside and outside the home, providing a smooth and level surface for wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers to navigate.

Moreover, aluminum ramps are lightweight, durable, and easy to maintain, making them an ideal choice for elderly individuals and people with disabilities. Family members can also modify to fit the specific needs of each individual, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for all users. By providing easier access to different commercial areas, the ADA has enforced aluminum ramps to help increase independence, promote mobility, and improve the quality of life for elderly individuals and people with disabilities.

Other Essential Home Modifications for People with Mobility Issues

Bathroom grab bars and handrails in the stairwell are cost-effective solutions for increasing safety in the home. They provide additional support and stability for individuals who may have difficulty balancing or getting in and out of the bathtub or shower or who need extra assistance when navigating stairs.

In addition to grab bars and handrails, other modifications to the home that can improve safety and accessibility for elderly individuals and people with disabilities include:

• Installing non-slip flooring.
• Adding raised toilet seats and walk-in tubs.
• Adjusting the height of countertops and shelves to be more easily reached.

These modifications, combined with proper lighting and a clear path of travel, can help to create a safe and accessible living environment for all individuals.

Don’t Take Falling Down Lightly 

While falling can be an embarrassment, falling down isn’t limited to disability. We all have moments of misstep, fumble, or failure in life. It’s a reminder that disabled people should not be ashamed of having common quirks and challenges they may face due to their disability. To deny and distance our disabilities towards a sense of normality is to void the potential power and impact our differences can make. Instead, it’s much more meaningful to identify with our disabilities, embrace them as part of ourselves and advocate for recognition for others to have the same rights and charters of independence.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s experiences and circumstances are unique, and individuals can make their own choices about managing and disclosing their disabilities. However, keeping a disability to oneself or denying its reality can also limit opportunities for support and resources that can be essential for managing the challenges of the disability.

For example, individuals who do not disclose their disabilities may not be aware of potential accommodations and modifications that can make their daily lives easier. They may also miss out on the opportunity to receive specialized services and support that can help to increase their independence and improve their quality of life.

On the other hand, sharing information about a disability can open up various opportunities and rights, such as the right to accessible housing, transportation, and employment and the right to receive disability-related services and benefits. It can also help to break down stigmas and promote greater understanding and inclusion for individuals with disabilities.

Ultimately, the choice to disclose or not disclose a disability is personal and should be made based on individual circumstances and needs. Yet, the ability to remain self-sufficient and to continue dwelling in one’s own house is only two of the many benefits of not having a disability. Everyone deserves access to the same quality of life, and those with mobility challenges are no exception. Giving the disabled and elderly the dignity of living in independence is incredibly important since this gives them a sense of otherwise unavailable freedom. This freedom includes ensuring their homes are modified to meet their needs – fall injuries can be debilitating for anyone. Still, it can seriously threaten continued health or life itself for those not in excellent health. Let’s ensure those facing mobility challenges don’t have another added burden: an increase in fall injuries from an inaccessible home. Instead, we should strive to provide them with the change needed for them to live free from danger.