Safety and home
Wheelchair ramp
A wheelchair ramp is a sloped surface that lets a person using a wheelchair, walker or scooter get over steps or a raised threshold. Ramps can be permanent or portable. A safe ramp needs a gentle slope, a firm surface and handrails where needed.
Why it matters for your family
Steps can trap a person inside the home. A ramp restores access to the street, the car and appointments. Slope matters. A steep ramp is hard to climb and unsafe to descend. AARP says Original Medicare typically does not pay for home modifications, though some Medicare Advantage plans may pay for permanent ramps in certain cases. Families often choose a portable ramp for a short need and a built one for the long term. A common mistake is to ignore weather. Wet or icy ramps are slippery. Ask a contractor or an occupational therapist to check slope and size. Local aging agencies may know of help.
Source: aarp.org
Read more: Personal and advanced care
Related terms
- WheelchairA wheelchair is a chair on wheels that lets a person move when walking is hard or unsafe.
- Home modificationsHome modifications are changes to a house that make it safer and easier to use for an older adult or a person with a disability.
- WalkerA walker is a frame with four legs that a person grips to steady themselves while walking.
- Home safety assessmentA home safety assessment is a room-by-room check of a home for hazards that could cause falls or injuries.
- Mobility assistanceMobility assistance is help with moving around, such as standing up, walking, using stairs, and getting in and out of a bed, chair, or car.
- Area Agency on Aging (AAA)An Area Agency on Aging is a public or private nonprofit agency that a state designates to meet the needs of older adults in a local area.
