Contributed by Max Gottlieb, Content Manager for Senior Planning
Sometimes, as a person progresses deeper into their senior years, they begin to face mobility
issues they are unaccustomed to. Of course, wheelchairs are a great aid to move a senior from
one place to the other, but they are also the cause of many injuries, including fatal ones. In
1990, the last year the National Institute of Health did a study, they wrote that 3.3% of
wheelchair users experience a serious wheelchair related injury each year. The Consumer
Product Safety Commission recorded that there were 770 wheelchair related accidents that
caused death during the years 1973-1989.
While seemingly uncommon, it is important to note that these types of accidents are
preventable. Once we reach a certain age, preventing a fall, either in or out of a wheelchair,
should be an utmost priority because a fall becomes a long and complicated ordeal. For both
wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users, modifying the home can stop a fall from
happening. Below are some adjustments that can be done in order to make it safer for an
elderly person who needs a wheelchair.
Before Using a Wheelchair, be Sure to Know When to Apply the Brakes:
This sounds simple, but the brakes on a wheelchair are one of the most important features on
the chair. For example, it is imperative to make sure the brakes are set whenever someone is
getting on or off the device. If a chair is still able to roll, there is a chance that the wheelchair
user may put their weight on it and have it slide out from under them. Before someone gets up
from a wheelchair they should always be sure to have assistance. Whenever commuting, say on
a bus or a van, it is important to keep the brakes locked. Without locked brakes, a sudden stop
or turn could spell disaster for the person sitting in the wheelchair. Lastly, periodically check the
brakes to ensure that everything is working how it should be and that the brake pads are not
worn out.
Create Ramps For the Wheelchair:
If you or your loved one bought the house before a wheelchair was a necessity then chances
are the house is not wheelchair friendly. Sometimes, whole upstairs areas of the house become
inaccessible, even with the presence of ramps. There should be a ramp leading into the
entrance of the house and also to any essential parts of the home such as the kitchen,
bathroom, bedroom, and living room. Ramps not only help the one in the wheelchair, but also
the caregiver who is pushing the chair. Of course, the angle of the ramp should meet safety
standards. It shouldn’t be too steep.
Know the Functional Height for Wheelchair Users:
It is important to adjust the height of things found in the house. If the person who uses the
wheelchair loves to cook, then it could be helpful to provide a separate table where the person
can prepare food at the height most comfortable for them. Also, why not relocate the most
essential items the person will need? For some people, reaching things too low or too high is
the problem. There are companies that exist which lower and raise countertops and cabinets
and sometimes a height adjustment is exactly what the person in the wheelchair needs to feel
more comfortable.
Place a Mode of Communication Within the Wheelchair:
In the event that an accident does occur, it is extremely important the person in the wheelchair
can summon help immediately. A lot of people who fall, either in or out of a wheelchair,
experience delayed emergency response because they are alone or too far away from someone
who can call for professional help. It is important to include a working cell phone, a medical
alert, or even a walkie-talkie on the wheel chair. This way, in case someone falls, help will
quickly arrive.
Clear Clutter:
Wheelchairs need clear pathways to operate in. A lot of times, homes are cluttered with
furniture and if that sounds like your home, it could mean it’s time to get rid of some of the
inessential pieces in your home. Also, there should be no cords, clothes, or debris of any kind
on the floor because these things can cause a wheelchair to snag and topple over. The
wheelchair user should be able to freely roam the vicinity of their home without any problem of
running into something.
Max Gottlieb is the content manager for Senior Planning. Senior Planning provides free assistance to seniors or the
disabled and specializes in long term care, which includes finding and arranging care services, transitioning people
into new living situations, and applying for state and federal benefits.