Tag Archive for: universal design

senior falls statistics

Elevators Can Help Prevent Falls for Seniors

Senior Falls and Costs

When it comes to getting older, one thing that every senior will be at risk of is suffering from a fall. In the milder cases, falls can result in bruises, scuffs, and a new-found fear of the stairs. In more severe cases, broken bones, concussion (TBI), and even death. Every year 25% of all people over the age of 65 will have a fall. Every 19 seconds, a death occurs from a fall (National Council on Aging). According to the Center for Disease Control, the average cost for a fall injury is $30,000 and in 2015, costs to Medicare, alone, totaled over $31 billion.

If you or your loved one has a fall and is severely injured, the cost of living could go up significantly. In Connecticut, the cost of assisted living ranges from $4,950-$11,000/month, or $439/day on average.

Adding a conventional residential elevator or a pneumatic vacuum elevator to your home is less than half of the cost of 6 months of assisted living.

When to Install an Elevator

A home elevator has numerous benefits regardless of age or disposition. A home elevator increases home value, provides a safer route to stairs for reaching multiple stories in the home, and provides a sense of luxury. Millennials  are starting to plan for their futures sooner than previous generations. Aging in place/thriving in place is preferred to nursing homes for most. The best time to install an elevator is when one is planning their future or if aging in place is already happening. A safer option for accessing floors in the home can save money and prevent severe injuries. Click here for elevator pricing.

 

architecture

Benefits of a Home Elevator

Benefits of a Home Elevator

 

As times change and people live longer, more and more homeowners are installing elevators in their homes. Having a home elevator is an affordable solution for many needs and purposes. Whether you need to negotiate different levels of your home, looking to increase your home value or simply planning for the future, a home elevator is a wise investment.

 

Home Elevators Increase Home Value

Many home flippers are taking advantage of the instant dollar signs that come with putting an elevator in a house. Not only does it appeal to a larger home buying market, it can add $150,000 instantly to your home’s price.

Aging in Place

Aging in place is what everyone wants. When we are young and able, we don’t anticipate the effects of getting older. After age 65, many people have trouble getting up and down stair cases, in and out of bathtubs, etc. These situations can be a deal breaker for living in your own home- causing you to sell your home to live in a home that wasn’t originally your dream home, assisted living, or forced to move in with a family member or loved one. With the growing rates of assisted living and nursing homes, one could reason that the price of an elevator would cost less than three to four months of living in assisted/retirement communities.

stair chair for aging in place

Home Elevator is a Luxury

Home elevators are helpful in many ways, but also a luxury item. In larger homes, they certainly make life easier when traveling between floors. Home elevators can be customized with elaborate materials such as high end woods, marble, custom glass shaftways, and even gold.

Home Elevators Save Space

In the state of Connecticut, if you build a ramp, you must have 12 inches of length for every inch of rise (1:12). This can take up a great deal of space, very quickly. A home elevator takes up no more than 18 square feet in the home, saving far more space than that of a ramp.

ramp vs home elevator

Elevator Warranty

One of the best parts of having an elevator is being covered by warranty. Most manufacturers offer a standard 2-3 year warranty that will protect the home owner. Please note that regular service must be part of maintenance required for coverage under warranty. Elevator Service Company, Inc. has monthly, quarterly, biannual, and annual maintenance contracts that save time, money, and repairs.