Mobility Handles & Grab Rails

Mobility Handles and Grab Rails

Elderly, disabled, or injured people need the best care available, and this also extends to their homes or any places where they spend most of their time. Therefore, the design of their dwellings should be functional and relate to their needs. This way, they can continue living in the warmth of their own place and lead their lives. Mobility furniture and fixtures are a must in aiding these people and you should choose them carefully, so they would be up to the task. Among them, handles and grab rails make getting around much easier.

Mobility handles and grab rails bring about several benefits that speak in favour of installing them. They are useful for both standing up and sitting down, as you can pull or push against them when getting up or use them as a steadying support when moving back to the seat. They also balance you when dressing, standing, or walking and can offer a firm grip when changing positions.

Straight rails attach to the wall and run in only one direction. They could be horizontal, vertical, or at angle. Floor-to-ceiling rails are vertical ones standing between the floor and the ceiling. Typically, you can find them in bathrooms where they help users get into the tub and out of it. Angled and right-angled rails attach to the wall, too, but their lower part has an angular shape, which helps to support the forearm and is good for people whose wrists or hands experience pain. System rails provide the most versatility as you can put them together just the way you need.

The finish does not only influence the overall impression of the interior design, but also affects the grip surface it provides. Stainless steel mobility handles and grab rails are durable, but they might be slippery, especially when wet, so do not install them into the bathroom. In wet rooms, special ribbed finishes are a better choice. High contrast handles and rails are suitable for the visually impaired, who can detect it better from the wall if it is a contrasting colour. Plastic and epoxy rails as well as wood mobility handles and grab rails are warmer to hold.

The correct positioning is the key to ensuring that the rails offer the support they are supposed to give. Horizontal rails are best for lowering and getting up from a seated position like in the toilet. Inclined rails help to spread the bodyweight to a larger area and allow people with painful or weak arms to get up and down. Vertical rails assist pulling in oneself to a standing position. Angled rails provide steadying support, while keeping the wrist in a neutral position.