Improving accessibility in your own home can make a huge impact on your safety, well-being, and general quality of life. Accessibility modifications range from minor adjustments to more extensive work, such as overhauling your bathroom to transform it into a safer space.
However, one of the most straightforward modifications you can make at home is installing a set of grab bars. These are a popular accessibility product for homeowners, and they offer a number of valuable benefits. We’ll explore these benefits and offer advice on choosing the right bars for your needs below.
What are Grab Bars?
Grab bars are simple accessibility aids that can be attached to walls inside and outside the home. Various styles, sizes, and materials are available to suit different physical requirements. They are one of the most common modifications for improving accessibility and are highly versatile.
What are the Benefits of Grab Bars?
Here are the top six benefits of grab bars:
Enjoy Peace of Mind at Home
Trips and falls are a common concern for seniors. In Canada, falls are the primary cause of injury-related hospitalizations and death among individuals aged 65 and above. It’s crucial to mitigate the risk of falling to stay safe, and grab bars will help you do that.
They can make a significant impact on your mobility and empower you to navigate your home more safely. They provide secure, fixed support when walking from room to room, performing household tasks, and entertaining visitors. Maintaining your balance and standing for long periods can become far simpler.
By installing multiple grab bars throughout your property, you may be able to reduce your risk of falls significantly. They can also restore some independence to individuals who rely on carers or loved ones to move around their home. Support and assistance may still be required overall but grab bars can provide more freedom to enjoy your home with a little more confidence.
Grab Bars are Suitable for Any Space in the Home
You can install grab bars almost anywhere at home, whether you want to improve accessibility inside, outside, or both.
Here are a few examples of how grab bars can help you in different areas:
Bathroom: Grab bars are common inside bathtubs, as they make getting in and out of the water much safer. But, fitting grab bars beside your sink may help you stay upright comfortably while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or flossing. You won’t need to support your own weight for several minutes at a time, and holding a grab bar can be more comfortable and secure than leaning on the edge of the sink unit.
Living room: We all have a favorite chair or couch in the living room. But climbing into and out of it may be difficult if you have limited mobility or injuries. Installing a grab bar on the wall next to your favorite seat will allow you to enjoy it without leaning against the arm or back, which may not be as secure.
Hallways: If moving from one room to another is physically difficult for any reason, attaching grab bars in a convenient position can make it easier. Whether walking to the stairs or standing at the front door to speak to a visitor, clutching a grab bar will provide invaluable support.
Consider the physical challenges you often experience, or expect to, as you perform daily tasks. That will help you choose the right locations for your grab bars. However, a trusted provider of accessibility products will be able to offer practical advice, too.
Help All Members of the Household with Different Accessibility Needs
Installing grab bars may benefit multiple members of a household in different ways. A wheelchair user, for instance, may find grab bars helpful for transferring between seats. But a senior who is infirm on their feet should find installing grab bars next to their shower helpful, as that will enable them to walk more safely on wet tiles.
Grab Bars Work Well with Other Accessibility Modifications
You can install bars to complement various home modifications, such as:
Wheelchair ramps
Vehicle lifts
Railings
Transferring devices
For example, fitting one or two grab bars at the top and bottom of a stairway will improve safety when climbing on or off a stairlift.
Installation is Simple and Convenient
Some accessibility modifications can be complex and involve a lot of work. You may need to have someone in your home expanding a hallway to accommodate a wheelchair, for instance, or a team installing a wheelchair ramp.
But attaching grab bars to one or more walls in your property is much more straightforward. Experienced installers should be able to complete the process quickly, and as bars have a streamlined design, the aesthetic impact is usually minimal.
Grab Bars are Available in Various Materials and Finish
Grab bars are manufactured in multiple materials, though steel is the most common choice. The range of materials available makes it easy to find the ideal grab bars not just for your accessibility needs, but for your decor.
Stainless steel is excellent for bathrooms and kitchens, as it won’t rust over time when exposed to moist air. Fortunately, you won’t need to replace your grab bars regularly due to rusting.
However, plastic grab bars are also available. These are also a good choice for bathrooms, as they will never rust regardless of being splashed with water consistently.
Different finishes will affect grip strength, a polished finish tends to be slippery when wet. A peened finish will give a little more slip resistance because it has a bit of a rough surface. A knurled finish has the best grip and tends to be the safest.
Ready to Try Durable Grab Bars in Your Home?
Grab bars are a straightforward accessibility product suitable for various budgets, physical requirements, and properties.
Total Access Solutions is dedicated to helping you find the best accessibility modifications for your home. We source products from leading manufacturers, and we offer a range of grab bars to suit your unique accessibility needs. Our team will be happy to install grab bars in your home or its exterior, with virtual and at-home consultations available to discuss your requirements.
To learn more about our grab bars and the rest of our accessibility solutions, contact us today.
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