Many seniors with dementia still retain a good degree of mobility when walking on flat surfaces, especially when their dementia is mild. However, stairs present a particular danger — seniors with dementia often struggle to climb them, and falls down the stairs are more severe. One way that you can help your loved one reduce risk is to have a home stair lift installed. While it's unsafe for them to operate a stair lift alone, it can help them regain full use of their home as they age in place. If your loved one has dementia, read on to find out how a home stair lift can help.

Going Up or Down Stairs Is Dangerous for Seniors With Dementia

People who have dementia typically have problems with depth perception, so they can't easily see where one step ends and the next begins. Reaction times are also delayed. If someone with dementia steps halfway onto a step with their foot at an angle, they may not be able to correct themselves in time before they fall.

For seniors, injuries from a fall on flat ground are often severe — falling down the stairs is even worse. Because of this, it's dangerous for people with dementia to attempt to climb stairs. This even applies when they're with a caregiver, as their caregiver may not be able to catch and hold onto them in time.

Home Stair Lifts Can Help Seniors With Dementia Access Every Part of Their Home

Stair lifts can be installed on nearly all stairs, both indoors and outdoors. They consist of a seat attached to a motorized rail and transports the seat up and down the stairs.

Most models include a seat belt and a lockout function that makes them inoperable without a key. You'll need to look for these features if you're installing a home stair lift as a mobility aid for someone with dementia. It's unsafe for them to operate a stair lift on their own, and they should always be wearing the seat belt just in case they try to stand up while the chair lift is in motion.

Even if the home stair lift requires you or another caregiver to be present when your loved one is using it, it allows them to keep living in their home like they're used to. You don't have to make modifications like moving their bedroom down to the first floor or adding another bathroom upstairs. For people who have dementia, changes like these often result in extreme confusion or distress.

The best way to see if your loved one enjoys using a stair lift is to rent one on a trial basis. Most home stair lift installers offer this — it's very convenient for people who are recovering from joint replacement surgery and are unable to climb stairs. Renting a home stair lift for a month allows you to see whether or not it will be an acceptable long-term solution.

If your loved one has dementia and it's becoming dangerous for them to walk up and down the stairs in their home, contact a home stair lift installer and ask about a temporary rental. Your loved one will be able to access both floors of the home with considerably less danger.