When it comes to the construction of a staircase in the home of an elderly person or in another home that an elderly person may frequent (such as those of family members), it is important that careful attention is paid to the stair handrail. This is because the elderly rely on the handrail far more than anyone else using the staircase – falls can be quite a problem amongst our aging population and balance issues are also quite common.
In this article, we have outlined some more information regarding optimal handrail thickness, height and extensions for the elderly.
Thickness
There are 6 handrail thicknesses that are most commonly used in the home – 30mm, 32.5mm, 35mm, 38mm, 40mm and 45mm. Most elderly people find that those with a 35mm diameter offer the most support – those with a larger or smaller diameter tend to be harder for these people to wrap their hands around, either as a result of arthritis or other health problems. If the person is unable to grasp the rail, it’s not going to stop them from falling.
Height
There isn’t really any common handrail height, as there is a height range that is deemed acceptable (if the rail falls anywhere between the two measurements, it’s deemed safe). Most elderly people find that between 80 and 90cm seems to be an appropriate height. In fact, the elderly prefer a height that is approximately half their body height minus 80mm for staircases. This is because many elderly people are hunched or stooped, so it makes reaching easier.
Extensions
It has also been found that handrail extensions, which run parallel to the floor and extend a little further at the top and bottom of the staircase, are incredibly useful for the elderly. The optimal length is between 150 and 600mm long (the average is 401mm), as extensions that are too short can encourage falling (as the person’s hand ends up behind them). Unfortunately, most homes don’t have enough space for the rail to extend too far either side.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that the needs of every elderly person will be different when it comes to handrails. There are a number of factors that could affect their ability to use the rail, including health problems (like arthritis) and their own height. If you are building a staircase with a specific elderly person in mind, it might be an idea to have them test out a few different handrails until they find one that they feel comfortable with.
We hope that the information provided in this article has given you a better idea of how you can choose handrails for the elderly and why this is so important. It is essential that falls and other avoidable accidents are prevented at all costs, so choosing handrails that are easy for the elderly to grip is a must. If you aren’t building a staircase for a specific elderly person, it is recommended that you opt for the average measurements to be safe.
Gowling Stairs provides custom stair designs, bullnoses, balustrades and handrails for your home in Melbourne, Australia.
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