Hand / grab rail for outside front door

Yorkie1

Not sure if this is the right forum - please do move it it's better elsewhere, sorry.

Mum (83) has a couple of steps outside her front door, and she is cautious about going down them - she turns round and goes down backwards. holding onto the wall on the right as you look at the door. She is now open to the idea of a grab rail or similar to hold onto while going down them.

I wondered about two things:
1. Does anyone offer assessment services to advise on the correct location, type etc?
2. Are there any things I need to consider when looking for a supplier / rail?

Funding is not an issue.

Photo attached in case it's helpful (ignore the watering can and broom, I had just cleared up cat poo!).



Many thanks.

oldernonethewiser

My Mother had grab rails, and other assistance, provided by the NHS through the Occupational Therapists at her local hospital.

Worth speaking to your Mum's GP practice to see if they can get her a referral.

The staff came out and assessed what she does in her home and what aids could be provided to help.

Very impressed with their service.

chrisw

She needs to contact her local council and ask for a home assessment by an occupational therapist. They will assess all her needs, whether it's the front door, grab handles for the bath or additional hand rails on the stairs, etc. There should be no charge for this.

https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/home-adaptations-occupational-therapist-assessments

Yorkie1

Thank you both, much appreciated.

Section62

Yorkie1 said:

Mum (83) has a couple of steps outside her front door, and she is cautious about going down them - she turns round and goes down backwards. holding onto the wall on the right as you look at the door. She is now open to the idea of a grab rail or similar to hold onto while going down them.

I agree with the others, either the GP or council is the best route to get an assessment, probably by someone with OH training.  You may be able to get a private assessment as an alternative.

It is important to get professional advice as the wrong adaptation can be worse than no adaptation.

But by the sound of it, she possibly needs a hand rail rather than a grab rail.  Grab rails mounted on the wall would be to the side/behind her as she steps down, unless she continues to turn round and go down backwards.

The reason for pointing out the difference is there are various voluntary schemes where someone will fit a grab rail... whereas hand rails are a bit more complicated and really need professional involvement.  If you ask the council about getting a grab rail they may shunt you off to one of the volunteer organisations.

A hand rail would project forward of the wall and be something to hold onto going down the step in a forward direction.

E.g. (not an endorsement or recommendation)

Whatever you go for, it must be robust and securely attached.  My preference would be for a design which has at least one leg bolted to the ground rather than just relying on wall fixings.

dnpark38

See your GP surgery  for my wife they sent out various people to fit safety things.
Rails outside the door, handrails for the stairs to go upstairs, seat for shower, fire smoke alarms, walking stick along with safety advice all FOC.

Yorkie1

Thank you both so much. I had not appreciated the difference between grab and hand rails.

TimeLord1

Have a walk around the area nearby to see if anyone has done anything to a similar house entrance; it helps to get an idea. Generally the local council will say contact the county council.

Eldi_Dos

When you have handrail(s) installed look into getting the grip part painted with a non slip surface, can make a difference in damp weather.

MyRealNameToo

Occupational Health is certainly the way forward however sometimes their eagerness to help exceeds their skill level. A friends wife had a degenerative condition which took her life over a decade but meant as time went on different/more kit was needed. 

99% of the time the various people that were sent to access her changing needs were trying to be helpful etc but they didnt really listen too well plus there was never anything about giving stuff back at the time of her passing he had 3 different bed lifts, 3 specialist arm chairs, various cushions and other stuff plus a hospital style bed. At least half of it had never been used more than one and some never even unpacked because they'd said they didnt want/like something but OH had sent it anyway

Albermarle

In some areas it can be a long wait to see an OT, so keep that in mind.