Need ideas for elderly mom to get down two steps

[Debbie-TN]

My mom just turned 84 and still wants to live by herself. She does very well, but has neuropathy in her feet and hands. Back in the 70's when they built on a new kitchen, the builder told my dad that it would be better to make a step down into the kitchen instead of putting it on the same level as the rest of the house. It's a double wide opening and then the step. Well, at the time it didn't matter because they were in there 50's. Now she has a lot of trouble going down and back up that step. We're trying to figure how to make it easier for her. We were wondering if someone could install one of those chair lifts for just one step. Has anyone had any experience with these lifts? Any other suggestions? Kitchen not wide enough for a ramp.

 

[Tiggerish]

We have a single step to get from the garage into the house and installed hand grip bars on either side of the doorway. The grab bar gave me something to hold onto for that brief time I have only one foot on the ground doing the step. Having the bars on both sides means I have something to hold whether I am coming or going. We also looked at installing a short hand rail which you could do if it is two steps but for the one step the grab bars work well. If you want to see if grab bar will work you can get one that attaches by suction and not have to drill or mar a wall or door frame.

 

[NotUrsula]

Grab bars are likely to be your smallest and most economical option, but don't try suction; too dangerous. Bolt them securely into the studs. Since the opening is double-wide, you probably also will want to add a floor-mounted hand rail so that she can grab with two hands; if you do that make sure it is really securely mounted.

Other things that you might want to do:

Remove any carpet. Major trip hazard, that.

Paint the steps, or just the edges, in high-contrast colors so that she can see the edges easily. The ability to distinguish contrast diminishes with age even if you vision is otherwise good. The most common reason for tripping is not noticing the edge of the step.

If the steps have a metal edge on them, you'll probably want to remove that. Folks who have issues with steps tend to only raise their feet just as much as they must in order to clear the edge; that extra 1/8 inch can be enough to trip them up. Non-slip coating paint is a better option; you don't want her to slip, but you'll want her to be able to drag a shoe across the step if necessary.

Lastly, install some sort of panic-button system at floor level so that she can reach it no matter which way she lands if she falls.

 

[Tiggerish]

NotUrsula is correct, you want to securely mount the bars to studs in the wall. We just used the suction mounted bar to figure out where was best placement before the drilled into the wall install. Sorry if I was not clear.

 

[PatsMom]

She might find it easier to go down the steps sidways holding onto the railing rather than walking straight ahead. My mother finds that much easier.

If you have enough space, you can hire a builder to make the step a slight incline. It shouldn't be a terribly expensive project.

 

[peemagg]

She might find it easier to go down the steps sidways holding onto the railing rather than walking straight ahead. My mother finds that much easier.

If you have enough space, you can hire a builder to make the step a slight incline. It shouldn't be a terribly expensive project.

There is also out there a thing that cuts down the height of a step in half. I don't know if that will help.

Just google things for mobility aids and look for stair adjusters.