It’s not just young families with children that use their lofts for storage or extra living space. Elderly people often have more things to put into storage as they have been around on this earth a lot longer and have accumulated more precious things!
When it comes to accessing your loft, safety is paramount for everyone. However, safety is especially important if you are “of a certain age” as your bones tend to become more brittle and fragile and a fall from your loft space should be avoided.
If you’re looking to fit a loft ladder yourself as a result of this article, please also review the blog we made walking our customers through the installation.
As you get older you quite often get mobility problems, are unsteady on your feet and don’t have the strength in your arms and shoulders you did when you were much younger.
In this article, we will look at the best loft ladders for elderly people, and some tips when using them, so you can rest assured that you will be as safe as possible when accessing your loft space.
Our Pick of The Best Loft Ladders for Elderly People
Electric Loft ladders
For the ultimate in making your loft space as easy as can be, an electric loft ladder is a perfect solution for the elderly. With a fully automated hatch and ladder, they provide effortless operation at the touch of a button on a remote, making it the best loft ladder in terms of convenience.
The Electric Concertina Loft Ladder from BPS, for example, is one of the strongest loft ladders of its type and includes all the safety features you might expect including non-slip steel treads for maximum grip, twin telescopic handrails, and oversized exit handles for extra safety as you step into the loft.
It is considered the perfect space-saving loft ladder, as it takes up little space, ensuring you can use your loft floor economically – whether that be as storage space or as an additional room.
The only drawback to the concertina loft ladder is the cost, so if you are a pensioner on a limited budget, you may need to consider some of the other loft ladder options which provide a more cost-effective, but good loft ladder option for the elderly.
Even without electricity, concertina ladders are still great solutions for space saving. They extend down from the hatch door like the instrument it’s named after, making it one of the best loft ladders for elderly people who have difficulties manipulating objects.
Aluminium Sliding Ladder
These typically consist of two or three sections, dependent upon the length of the loft ladder required. The sections slide out to form a complete ladder when in use and are locked into place with spring-loaded catches, for added stability.
Aluminium sliding loft ladders come with handrails fitted as standard so you can grip them for extra safety when ascending. They also come with non-slip rungs and rubber feet which protect the floor below and also stop the ladder from sliding, making these sliding loft ladders one of the safest loft ladders available.
Due to their aluminium construction, they are lightweight and easy to fit by one person but still strong and durable, with a weight limit of around 150kg which is suitable for most day-to-day uses. When retracted, the sections of these sliding ladders retract and sit on top of the loft hatch.
Wooden Loft Ladders
Our robust wooden folding loft ladders will ensure safety, available with twin red handrails for added stability. When not in use, these folding loft ladders fold onto the underside of the loft door. The double-sprung counterweighted hatch drops slowly and safely when employed, and the ladder can be unfurled for use.
We have constructed these folding ladders to be more durable, crafted with wood that is less susceptible to bending or warping over time. For added safety, search for a design with a handrail already installed or buy a handrail separately and attach it to the ladder yourself.
Staircases
Perhaps the best loft ladders for elderly people may not be a ladder at all. It’s worthwhile pointing out that ascending to the loft hatch door can, and perhaps should, be just as simple as using stairs. And it can be.
Our staircases come in many forms, many of which are strong, with handrails. If you need space-saving solutions, our spiral staircase can take up minimal space whilst ascending from floor to ceiling, up to the loft hatch.
Perhaps most shocking of all is that our cheapest option comes at £199, which is cheaper than a lot of our ladders. On top of that, since there won’t be much need for a loft hatch or even loft opening, or any need to retract the staircase like you do with folding loft ladders, you can use your loft floor at its maximum potential.
Loft Ladder Safety for Elderly People
The top loft ladders are meticulously built to keep the user safe. There are also a variety of accessories available to ensure the safety of your ladders, such as exit grab rails and handrails.
To ensure your loft ladder is safe you should make sure that:
- The loft ladder is sturdy
- The handholds and footholds are non-slip, solid, and spaced correctly
- The ladder comfortably meets the loft opening
- The loft ladder does not appear to strain or wobble when you put weight on it
- The loft ladder can be stored away safely after use
- The loft ladder installed is secure
5 Practical Safety Steps for The Elderly Using Loft Ladders
1. Wobbly Loft Ladders Equal a Red Flag
Although the majority of lofts are only used occasionally (if at all), safety when it comes to loft ladders should never be overlooked. The loft ladder should be strong and have good hands and footholds.
It’s a good idea to inspect your loft ladder regularly to ensure that all of the mechanisms are in good working condition and that there are no evident symptoms of deterioration that could jeopardise its stability.
It should be firmly placed beneath the loft hatch with the smallest movement raising an alarm, and it should easily reach the loft entrance. If it shows any sign of shifting from its original angle when being retracted from the loft opening, you should consider calling for a repair. Otherwise, your perfect loft ladder may just end up injuring you.
2. Always Maintain 3 Points of Contact
When you’re using loft ladders, you should always maintain three points of contact. This ensures that you will always have a safe and stable physical connection to the loft ladder. Most loft ladder accidents result in misuse of this particular rule, as do most workplace accidents involving ladders.
Difficulties could develop while transporting objects to and from the loft, therefore we recommend having an additional person nearby to support and steady the ladder.
This, of course, doesn’t apply if you have a staircase instead of a loft ladder. There are also additional safety features you can install to ensure that the three-point-of-contact rule is much easier, such as handrails.
3. Don’t Overload the Loft Ladder
Overloading yourself while descending and ascending a loft ladder could potentially result in serious injuries.
This, of course, means that no more than one person should ever be using the ladder at one time.
Check the duty and class rating of the ladder; if you can’t identify your specific model, please keep in mind that you should never lift more than 130 kg if using a loft ladder.
4. Wear Suitable Footwear
Overloading yourself while descending and ascending a loft ladder could potentially result in serious injuries.
Confirm the duty and class rating of the ladder; if you can’t identify your specific model, please keep in mind that you should never lift more than 130 kg if using a loft ladder.
5. Correct Installation Equals Loft Ladder Safety
The installation of your loft ladder can have a significant impact on your safety when you’re using it, and many loft ladder accidents are caused by improper ladder installation.
Loft ladders that are properly installed, fit into tight areas and are secure. They are available in a variety of sizes, are simple to install, and comply with all safety rules.
So, what are the best loft ladders for elderly people?
Your choice of loft ladder will probably be determined by your budget, and there are several good options available for elderly people.
While an electric loft ladder is an ultimate option, it can be costly so may not be for everyone, but there are still good loft ladders that will do the job well and enhance your safety.
Standard-installed loft ladders are strong things that, once placed, provide a sense of security for the elderly needing to access their loft space.
Installation should be performed by an experienced professional or a DIY specialist to ensure that all safety rules are followed and that your new loft ladder will provide you with many years of safe loft access.
