What is the best stair climbing aid for the elderly? If you are struggling with the stairs, or an elderly relative is, there’s a variety of stair climbing aids you can use to help. Depending on the severity of the mobility issue, various options can help. If you think that climbing the stairs has become dangerous for you or a relative, you might need a stairlift. Check with an occupational therapist to determine the best possible solution.
Here’s our top list of stair climbing aid for the elderly to help on the staircase.
Stair Climbing Aid For The Elderly – Handrail/Grab Rail
The grab rail is a simple and low-cost solution for an elderly person who is struggling climbing the stairs, or simply losing their nerve. A rail gives them a physical support. It’s also reassuring if you’re experiencing anxiety with the stairs.
Handrails and grab rails can easily be installed to give extra safety and assurance around the house. They are particularly useful around steps, both inside and outside the home.
Stair Climbing Aid For Elderly – The Stair Climber
A stairclimber is a useful and a cheaper solution than a stairlift. Although this might not be a permanent solution for everyone, for some this is ideal. A stairclimber gives you a moving grab rail to hold on to as you ascend/descend the staircase. This is typically fitted to a bannister rail and slides up/down giving you a solid contact with the wall as you navigate the staircase.
This can be a better solution than a simple grab rail or a handrail, giving you more assurance and letting you keep hold all the way up/down, without losing your grip to move.
Stair Climbing Aid For The Elderly – A Stair Climbing Cane
Stair climbing canes are specifically made to use with the stairs. They allow you to place multiple contact points with two steps each time you move. They can be altered to suit your height and allow you to place your weight over the step as you transfer your weight. Again this is a suitable alternative to a stairlift, especially if you want to remain mobile on the stairs and get your exercise in!
Another model is the stepping cane which allows you to step onto it, making the transition from step to step more accessible. This is great if you have a steep staircase, or the steps are becoming too large to take at once. This adjustable stair climbing cane lets you set your perfect height and step onto the cane platform mid-stair.
Stair Climbing Aid For The Elderly – A Stair Climbing Walker
This stair climbing “walker” lets you climb up and down stairs using a frame to assist you. Press the button on the handle and depending on whether you’re climbing or descending, the legs will contract or expand to help you. This gives you a mobile solid frame to tackle the stairs with, and is perfect if you’re still mobile and aren’t ready for a stairlift. You can find these helpful devices on Amazon.
Stair Climbing Aid For Elderly – The Stairlift
Of course we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the stairlift! We specialise in stairlifts and have been installing and servicing stairlifts around the UK for over 20 years. The stairlift is the definitive stair climbing aid for the elderly. If you need a stairlift, give us a call. We offer both new and reconditioned stairlift installation in the UK. Call us on 0800 046 3438. If you’re on a budget, our reconditioned stairlifts can help you save between 20-40%.
Stair Climbing Aids For The Elderly – The Ramp
Lets not forget the ramp as a potential stair climbing aid for the elderly. This is especially useful if you are tackling an outdoor staircase of only one or two steps.
Ramps can help both those using wheelchairs and who are simply infirm on their feet alike. They are generally unsuitable however for steep stairs inside the home. But for gradual steps, especially those found outside, they can be the perfect solution.
Other Stair-Climbing Aids For The Elderly
Here’s another solution – the electric stair-climbing wheelchair trolley. This is a folding, portable chair lift climber which can also function as a wheelchair and a trolley. This is a powered stair climber. However, it is designed for use with assistance and you cannot use it without personal assistance from someone else holding the hand bars and lifting you.
Self Powered Stair-Climbing Wheelchairs
Here’s a fully autonomous stair-climbing wheel chair which can be used without assistance. Self powered and autonomous wheelchairs which climb stairs are great if you need a wheelchair and to climb the stairs solo, too.
But if it’s just the stairs in the home which are an obstacle, we recommend getting one of our stairlifts since they’re much cheaper than one of these machines!
Have a look at our new stairlifts and our reconditioned stairlifts and give us a call on 0800 046 3438 if you’re ready for a chat. We have also created a stairlift buyers guide which you can access below.
