title: A study of stairs in the housing of independently-living elderly people.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Buehler Center on Aging Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Brett
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Straker
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Snell
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ulmer
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001107:Architectural Accessibility; D001290:Attitude; D003710:Demography; D016852:Housing for the Elderly; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D012656:Self-Help Devices