Stair aidPrint

Stairs don’t need to be an insurmountable obstacle

Sports physicians consider using stairs to be the perfect form of exercise for seniors. Repeatedly walking up and down steps with heights of 14 to 20 centimetres helps to strengthen the heart, muscles and joints. But what happens when using stairs becomes a major physical challenge, or poses the risk of falling? There are various reasons why this can be the case, and the problem can affect people of any age, whether seniors or children; it also affects people with injuries, neurological illnesses and particularly those with osteoarthritis or heart and muscle weakness. Help is at hand in the form of a stair-climbing device, which makes using stairs safe while keeping users mobile and active.

Avoid falls

For anyone who isn’t quite as nimble on their feet as they used to be, stairs can become an insurmountable obstacle. When this starts having a major impact on day-to-day life and self-reliance, something needs to be done. After all, roughly 600,000 people a year unfortunately require medical treatment as the result of falling down stairs. Only then do the majority of them consider installing a widely advertised stair lift. While stair lifts are extremely convenient, they do have some disadvantages: they take up a lot of space, and they also reduce the amount of daily exercise – even for people who can still move relatively well.

Rollator for stairs

To remain mobile for as long as possible, you need to perform plenty of movement every day (and this also goes for people whose ability to move is already restricted to some degree). Walking up stairs is considered an excellent form of exercise – not only for the heart and muscles, but also as a way of maintaining balancing skills, which deteriorate with age. A special stair-climbing device, which is like a rollator but for stairs, can help the user to manage stairs and thereby stay independent. This means the user no longer needs to rely on assistance or change their living situation to avoid using stairs. An important detail here is the large ergonomic handle that the user can very easily push up and down. This has two advantages: you still need to use your muscles to climb the stairs, and you have the added safety of keeping your balance. All in all, the device combines exercise with safety – so you can move around your own home as you wish.

Technical requirements

What is so special about a good AGR-certified stair aid? First, handling properties play a key role: the aid needs to be easy, straightforward and intuitive to use. Releasing and locking the handle must be easy, safe and self-explanatory, at all times. You need to be able to decide for yourself how quickly you want to climb the stairs. Automatic locking offers the safety of having everything firmly under control, even in critical situations. In another practical feature, the handle can be folded away. This means that people who don’t yet need help to use stairs will also have sufficient space.

Adjustable for all sizes

The stair aid needs to be fully adjustable to suit the user’s height. Another advantage, particularly for back health, is the ergonomic shape of the handle. Users can quickly and easily find the right position for gripping the handle – with one hand, or with both. To increase the sense of safety and make it possible to use the handle and handrail at the same time, it is important that the stair aid can also be held from the side. Users must be able to release the automatic lock easily from any holding position, without having to use excessive force.

Checklist

Minimum requirements

• The stair aid must be sufficiently robust for the user.
• It must be possible to release the handle safely at any time, and the handle must lock automatically.
• The stair aid must be usable for different user heights and stair profiles.
• Safe and functional support of the arms and the shoulder girdle must be ensured.
• Precise instructions on correct handling and usage must be provided.
• The stair aid must be simple and intuitive to use.

Also appropriate

• It should be possible to transport bags, etc.
• Where required, it must be possible for several users to use the device one after the other.

Products in this sector with the AGR seal of approval

• AssiStep

Manufacturer

Assitech AS
Fossegrenda 30B
7038 Trondheim
NORWAY
Phone +47 995 60 130
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.assistep.com

Further information

Video