As we get older, it gets a little bit more challenging to carry out daily tasks such as bathing and walking up flights of stairs. We don’t always have someone on hand to assist us with these everyday chores, but there are some great products on the market with can be installed in our homes to improve our quality of life.

What are grab rails?

Although they are primarily designed for use in areas such as your bathroom and toilet, grab rails can be adapted to fit anywhere in or outside your home. They are built using 2 different types of materials, reinforced nylon and stainless steel. They are basically handrails that help to support and protect individuals while walking, sitting down or standing up. They can also be used as a balance support when taking a shower. Grab rails are an inexpensive household aid that is ideal for older adults or individuals with a disability, if you live in Victoria and you are considering installing grab rails in Melbourne, there are various companies in the city who specialise in internal home handrails.

Here are some of the advantages of installing grab rails in your home.

Showering & Bathing

Taking a shower or a bath without handrails can be dangerous, especially if you don’t have a walk-in shower. Climbing in and out of a tub is extremely challenging even for an able-bodied individual. It can be very difficult to get in and out of a tub without any assistance, the floor is slippery so you have to be vigilant when entering and exiting on the wet surface.

Lessen Fatigue

We have mentioned the dangers involved in getting in and out of the shower, but we have yet to discuss the problems of simply standing in the shower while cleaning yourself without support. Standing in a static position for a period of time gets tiring, and you can sometimes lose your footing if you are not careful, the last place you want this to happen is on a damp or wet surface such as a shower. Holding onto a grab rail lessens fatigue, helping you save energy, it also provides peace of mind and acts as an excellent support mechanism.

Increased Mobility

One of the main benefits of installing a grab rail is that it increases mobility around your home, if you live in a two-story house, accessing the upper floor can be a challenge. With no one there to assist you with the climb, it can be a bit risky to navigate a steep staircase alone, but having grab rails installed along your staircase changes everything. You can wander from the ground floor to the upper levels of your home a lot easier than before.

Installing handrails in your home helps to increase mobility and safety, it protects you from slipping or falling and allows you to access areas of your home, which were unobtainable without the support of a caregiver, family member or friend. They come at an affordable price and can be installed almost anywhere.