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A Study of Stairs in the Housing of Independently-Living Elderly People

1994; SAGE Publishing; Volume: 39; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2190/bb4b-4ykn-etcd-15e2

1541-3535

David W. Smith, Alison W. Brett, Jane Straker, Jennifer Snell, Francis W. Jackson, Mary E. Ulmer,

Urban Transport and Accessibility

This survey study focuses on stairs in the homes of a substantial number of independently living elderly (60+) residents of a community in which there are mostly multistory houses and apartment buildings with stairs. While the majority could climb their stairs without problems, a substantial minority lived with stairs despite difficulty and even inability in climbing them. Most people were satisfied with their homes, and many were unwilling to admit that stairs were a present or potential problem. Most people, including most with stair problems, had no plans to move from their homes, however a majority was willing to concede under questioning that stair-free living in a presently unplanned next home would be desirable. There is a plea that stairs be of increased concern in the housing of elderly people, and that there be increased planning for stair-free homes.