Stairs can be a safety hazard for memory care residents. Misreading the steps or forgetting to use handrails are only some potential risks associated with staircases. Fortunately, there are ways that memory care communities can make stairs safer for their residents.
By implementing certain strategies, team members can reduce the risk of falls and injuries while allowing residents to retain mobility and independence. Here are four things memory care in Berlin, MD considers when making stairs safe.
Installing Handrails
Stairs can be especially dangerous for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s due to impaired vision and spatial awareness. Installing handrails on stairs is an easy and effective way to ensure that they are safe and easy to navigate. Handrails can prevent falls, improve balance, and give residents greater confidence in safely navigating the stairs.
Handrails provide a physical barrier between the stairs and the resident, giving them something tangible to hold onto when climbing or descending the steps. They also create an additional visual cue, making it easier for individuals with limited vision or spatial awareness to identify where each step begins and ends. Handrails should also extend beyond both top and bottom steps for added support.
Non-Slip Surfaces
Non-slip surfaces can be used to ensure that everyone can navigate the stairs safely, regardless of their level of mobility. Various non-slip options are available to ensure staircases in memory care in Berlin, MD stay safe and secure.
Many products come with textured surfaces designed to add extra grip on the steps, making them easier and safer for those with impaired balance or mobility issues. Additionally, these products are usually durable enough for busy public spaces like stairwells in residential buildings, allowing them to stand up against high foot traffic without wearing down quickly. Even areas with higher moisture levels can be made safer with water-resistant non-slip surfaces.
Motion Sensors
Motion sensors can secure the stairs and give residents peace of mind. Motion sensors are effective because they detect movement, alerting caring team members if someone has gone up or down the stairs. This allows team members to monitor resident activity more effectively and provide assistance if needed promptly.
Rounded Edge
To help make the stairs safe for its residents, many memory care communities in Berlin, MD outfit stairs with rounded edges. This important safety feature helps protect those in the center from falls or bumps due to sharp corner edges on staircases.
Not only does this help prevent serious injuries from occurring, but it also creates a more comfortable environment for those who may have difficulty safely navigating around the community due to limited mobility or cognitive issues such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, rounded edges provide a softer surface than traditional steps which may be easier on feet when climbing stairs.
By employing the above tactics, team members at memory care in Berlin, MD make stairs safe for its residents and lower the risk of falls and injuries – all while preserving residents’ independence and mobility.
