You return home for Thanksgiving and watch your mother take the stairs one at a time, both hands on the rail. Perhaps nothing major happened to your mother, you may have simply noticed getting through the house takes more of an effort than it did the last time you visited. This may cause families to consider modifying the home to provide a safer environment for the elderly parent.
Perhaps you live in Houston and your parent lives in New Orleans. This distance can cause you to be unaware of minor changes to your parent.
A visit home is a reminder of those changes.
When I first meet a family at 101 Mobility of New Orleans, I do not want to appear with a sales pitch to sell a product that “solvers” their problem. I want to see how the home is being utilized.
The first thing I notice may not always be a dangerous situation, however I may see that the stairs are being taken slower and require more effort than before. Getting up from the recliner may take several tries. A threshold may take a longer time to step over. There may be a need for grab bars to provide a means of support when getting in and out of the tub.
A family member may be assisting more than you realize.
This doesn’t always mean a major renovation of the home is necessary. This may mean it is time for a home assessment to be done. This may also mean it is time to have a conversation with your mother’s healthcare provider.
Products marketed for bath safety may help with smaller parts of the routine that feel difficult.
A bump at the door may be able to be resolved with a rubber threshold ramp.
If the caregiver is physically lifting or repositioning someone between the bed and the wheelchair, that is a different situation. Patient lifts should be evaluated with the person, the caregiver, the space, and the existing care needs.
The first step is not selecting equipment.
The first step is determining which part of the everyday movement has changed.
What Can Be Done in a Week?
Some accessibility issues can be addressed within a week. Others can’t.
Adding a ramp to a doorway is an example of something that can be done fairly quickly.
Products from 101 Mobility can address small changes in elevation and be installed fairly quickly. This is different from building access to a raised porch several feet above grade.
Bathroom support can also be fairly quick and easy to address with the selection of a properly sized grab bar or other bath safety products. The installation of the product also depends on the product and the wall it is being installed on.
Finding a solution for sitting down and getting up from a chair may be able to be addressed quickly with the use of a lift chair.
More complex projects, such as custom stair lifts, platform lifts and elevators, typically cost more, but there are other factors to consider that may not be as expensive as a custom lift.
There are ways to simplify family access, especially entry ways. Professionally installed modular wheelchair ramps can cost around $1000 and that cost is driven primarily by the length and configuration of the ramp.
That cost can change family perception of accessibility projects and encourage discussion to plan for family access needs rather than avoid the discussion due to the perception that every project will cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Not all projects will cost that much.
Some families do need larger remodeling projects. Many do not.
In my opinion, if the smaller, less expensive accessibility product, such as a threshold ramp or grab bar, solves the family’s problem, that is the product that should be recommended.
The Best Products for Family Access Needs?
Family accessibility needs change when the product becomes more than a small threshold or localized support product.
An example of this would be stairs.
The cost for a stairlift can vary from $2,800 – $8,000, depending on a number of factors. Review the pricing guide for more information.
If a family is having difficulty getting between levels of the home, I would recommend looking into stairlifts in New Orleans rather than assuming a major remodeling project is required.
A stairlift would require measurement and product selection.
If the staircase has turns or crosses a landing, the rail may also need to be custom manufactured.
A platform lift is also a more complicated product than a stairlift.
A home elevator is even more complicated and requires additional design, permitting, product manufacturing and other considerations.
Finding a problem over Thanksgiving does not mean solutions will be found by Christmas.
The better question is:
What are the immediate solutions? What should we start planning?
They may be different.
How do you talk about it without causing a confrontation?
This is harder than deciding what equipment to use.
You may quickly identify a problem.
Your parent may see you walking into their house after a prolonged absence and think you’re coming to tell them what they can no longer do.
They are two different things.
I wouldn’t start with, “You need a stairlift.”
I would start with what you see.
“The stairs seem harder than before. How are they for you?”
That leaves room for an answer.
It may be that the stairs are difficult only at the end of the day.
It could be the bathroom that is more of a problem.
It could be that your father is uncomfortable with the front stairs and is avoiding using the front door.
Your mother may already know the chair is difficult to get out of and may have no idea what is out there.
Ask what is most difficult for them.
Ease that first. You do not need to plan for the next ten years over Thanksgiving dinner. Any small change in the right direction may be all that is needed. Taking over your parent’s house is not the goal.
It is important to understand what has become hard. Is there a way to solve it, and make that part of everyday life easier?
What if the need is temporary?
Not all changes in mobility are permanent.
A parent could be recovering from surgery.
A relative could be staying in New Orleans for a few months.
Someone could be in need of temporary assistance during rehabilitation and may not need to use mobility equipment long term.
Because of this, it is important to inquire about mobility equipment rentals.
101 Mobility has different types of equipment rentals that include stairlifts, wheelchair ramps, lift chairs, patient lifts and other mobility aids, based on the available local inventory.
It makes sense to rent mobility equipment if the long term solution is to purchase the equipment.
Renting equipment may also help if the need is present now but the family is still determining their long term solution.
I also want to match the equipment rental to the actual user and home.
Temporary does not mean one size fits all.
What happens after installation?
The installation of the equipment should not mean everyone disappears.
The equipment should be incorporated in the family’s routine.
Family members should know how the controls work for the equipment.
They should also know how to use the equipment to charge the battery if it has one.
Family members should know how to operate the equipment to park or stow it away.
If the equipment is a ramp, then family members should understand the route the equipment takes and how to use it through doorways.
How large or small the item being transferred is with the use of transfer equipment comes into play.
I also want the family to consider if solving one problem introduced others.
For example, are stairs now manageable but the bath still a problem?
Is the threshold fixed but opening the door from a wheelchair still awkward?
Good accessibility plans can happen in stages.
The first modification doesn’t have to mean a complete renovation of your parent’s home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What home modifications should I consider for an elderly parent?
You should first consider the areas of the home that are difficult for your parent to use. These may include stairs, the bathroom, doorways, and/or chairs. The product that is appropriate for your parent depends on their mobility and the layout of the home.
What home accessibility changes can be made quickly before the holidays?
There are various home modifications that can be made relatively quickly. These may include threshold ramps, bath safety modifications, and power lift recliner chairs. The actual time it takes to make a modification depends on the product and the home.
How much does a wheelchair ramp cost?
The cost for a modular, wheelchair ramp that is professionally installed begins around $1,000. The total price is dependent on the configuration of the land and how accessible the home is already.
What is the price range for a straight stairlift?
Straight stairlifts are priced at about $2,800 to $8,000. Beyond stairlift features, the biggest variable for cost is the length of your staircase.
Can equipment be rented for a temporary need?
Yes. Rentals can be helpful post-surgery, or during rehabilitation and/or if a relative is staying in your home. The equipment you find for rent will be different depending on what your local supplier has in stock, as well as what your home is equipped to provide.
What is the best way to approach my parent about modifications?
Parents appreciate knowing that their children have noticed something, especially if they’re having trouble with something at home. Instead of “here’s what you need to do to fix your house”, try asking, “what are the hardest things for you to do?” or “what do you wish was easier?” Those kinds of questions will likely guide the focus to one small problem for the day, and help achieve a better outcome.
What if during a holiday visit I notice something isn’t working that used to?
You can schedule a free in-home evaluation. This can help you understand what is creating the problem, and what solutions may be easy and quick. If the issue is accessibility related and is going to take long-term planning, there are solutions for that, as well.
About the Author
Jonas Boutte is the owner of 101 Mobility of South Louisiana and serves families throughout Greater New Orleans. He has hands-on training from accessibility-equipment manufacturers and helps families evaluate stairlifts, ramps, lift chairs, bathroom accessibility, patient-handling equipment, and other mobility solutions based on the person, the home, and everyday needs.
