Half steps are very similar to stairs but the rise of each step is shorter compared to regular stairs. This is because they are designed for people who have walking disabilities or for senior citizens who are already experiencing difficulty walking up and down the stairs. When a family member falls under these categories, you should make it a point to make their life easier by creating changes in your home’s structure to favour the condition of the disabled person. If these adjustable steps are installed on your stairs inside and outside of your home, the family member who needs them can then go on and do daily tasks without asking too much assistance from anyone. This new independence can have a very positive effect on their self-esteem.
There are some things to keep in mind when installing half steps. First, you have to understand that these adjustable steps come in different types – single and multiple steps. The single step type, as the name implies, only has one step, which makes it ideal for door thresholds or for a single rise just outside your main door. This type of adjustable step can easily be placed on locations as needed. It can be carried around too if the disabled family member is ever going somewhere outside of the home. The multiple step type is like a ramp that can be fitted to existing steps with minimal work on the ground. This type is ideal for stairs and it can remain installed there as long as needed. The advantage with multiple step ramps is that you can join several of these together to fit the length of large stairs.
The second thing you should remember when installing half steps is quality. Look at the material used for the steps. It should be sturdy enough to carry the weight of the person and it must be resistant to extreme weathers, especially if you are going to install it outside of the home. Check the quality of the build too. The legs should stay steady even when they have the load of the person over them. Legs that buckle under pressure can cause accidents and harm the disabled person.
Third, consider the height of the legs when installing these half steps. Most of these steps can be adjusted from 75 to 150mm and your setting will depend on the capability of the disabled person. If an occupational therapist is attending to your family member’s needs, you can ask that professional about the ideal height or rise of the steps that will be comfortable for the patient.
Fourth, as an additional safety measure, install handrails along with the steps so that the disabled person has something to hold on to for balance. To make the steps easy to see, find a design that has a strip of paint at the edge of each step and it will be better if the surface of the step is resistant to slippage. In other words, foresee possible accidents and address them by choosing the right design of adjustable steps.
Having a walking disability does not mean that a person must be solely dependent on others to function and to go about daily routines. Minor changes in homes, like installing these adjustable steps, can be a great help and a great boost of confidence for them. Therefore, take time to embark on this project and do it properly by heeding the tips given here to improve the quality of life for your disabled loved one.