As people get older, they tend to lose muscle tone and stability. This is why seniors are more prone to falls and similar injuries compared to their younger selves. In the study of decades of senior data, it has long since been discovered that installing grab bars around the home can significantly reduce a senior's chances of serious injury when they do trip or fall.
If you are making long-term plans for your own stability or are moving to assist a relative in upgrading their home for safe senior living in Chino, Corona, Chino Hills, and San Bernardino County, it's important to know the best locations and methods to place a grab bar, and which grab bars to choose from. Senior Helpers of Inland Empire is here to explore just what to help seniors of all stripes avoid unnecessary slips and falls.
ADA Specs for Senior-Safe Grab Bars and Rails
First, let's talk about ADA grab bar requirements. These are complex and there are several of them based on where you are placing the grab rails. According for your home's installations to be ADA compliant - a smart move for resale value, and a good set of guidelines for home seniors' safety - you will want to look up these codes in detail. Here is a quick summary of a few important pieces for any senior grab bar installations.
- Diameter of Bar
- 1 1/4" to 1 1/2"
- Toilet Rail Length
- 36" to 42"
- Shower Rail Length
- 30"
- Tub Rail Length
- 24"
- Above the Floor
- 33" to 36"
Best Locations to Place Senior Safety Bars
Where should you plan to install a grab bar for senior safety? Check your elderly loved one’s home in Chino, Corona, Chino Hills, or San Bernardino County for areas that often go without a railing which can be much safer with appropriate railings installed. You can add a railing anywhere the resident senior might need to get up, sit down, transition to a different chair, step over a barrier, or climb a step. Little handrails placed helpfully around the house make a big difference, and the right handrail at the right moment can save a life.
- At the Front Stoop
- That first couple of concrete or wood deck-board steps up to your front door can be quite dangerous. A short diagonal safety rail can make a big difference in helping people take careful steps whether they are unsteady or carrying groceries.
- Beside the Tub and Shower
- The barrier and slipperiness combined to make getting into the tub - and out again - a big risk for seniors. Tub railings are often vertical to allow for the full height of getting up and sitting down efforts. L-shaped bars are also very popular around the tub and shower. Especially for horizontal installations.
- Beside the Toilet
- Carefully sitting and then rising again from the toilet becomes more difficult over time. Both horizontal and vertical bars, and similarly placed L-shaped bars have been used to assist. Support arms and U-shaped bars may be used when there is a greater need for support.
- Inner Staircase Railing
- While most staircases have at least one railing, add a second one to the sheer wall to make your stairs more welcoming and much safer for anyone who might slip, trip, or turn an ankle on the stairs.
- In High-Traffic Areas
- Any high-traffic areas may also benefit from a subtle, wall-mounted horizontal railing. Along the edge of the living room, near the laundry machines, or favorite spots in the kitchen might benefit from an extra rail.
- Near Slippery Tile & Wood Flooring
- Pay special attention to places where the floor could be either slippery or cluttered when a moment of instability occurs. A clever grab bar placement could save a hip or a life.
Installing Rails and Grab Bars with Senior Helpers
Here at Senior Helpers of Inland Empire, we are dedicated to helping every senior live safely and happily with a companion and home assistive services. Your senior helper can help you identify places where a grab bar or safety rail should be installed and assist in making each senior's home a safer place to live day-to-day. To discover your home's potential for greater safety and the convenience of in-home senior helper services in Chino, Corona, Chino Hills, and San Bernadino County, contact us today.
The elderly are more prone to slips and falls, and handrails placed helpfully around the house make a big difference. Learn the best location to install rails and grab bars and which to use to significantly reduce a senior's chances of serious injury–the right support at the right moment can save a life.