Portable EZ-Step

In light of this weeks discussion in our gerontology course at USC on housing mobility issues for elderly individuals, I wanted to look for some technologies that might help the elderly climb staircases in a less stressful and more manageable way. One product that I've come across is the "Portable EZ-Step". For $69.95, you can be the happy owner of what looks like a walking stick with a portable "step" attached to the end of it. The idea of this product is that having the portable step about half the size of a staircase step, taking individuals strides up the stairs will be smaller and therefor less stressful. This product is great for any individual having a difficult navigating his or her home.

Users of this product have given rave reviews due to its simplicity and effectiveness. This product is a great example of a easy-to-use, basic tool that makes the home more accessible for elderly individuals who are physically impaired in one way or another. In addition to making life easier for the user, it also gives relief to caregivers who can now feel comfort knowing that their loved one is not immobile or in serious pain every time he or she needs to go up the stairs. The Portable EZ-Step can also be an effective way to get into a car, a bus, or a bathtub. Also, because it is lightweight, it can be carried around easily - another way to relieve stress off of the user.

My hope is that with more products like this one, elderly individuals who are comfortable living in their own homes and who do not want to be forced to move to a ground level apartment or one story home will not have to. If climbing stairs was previously a daunting task, I think that this product can alleviate that burden quite a bit. If so, the individuals quality of life will improve due to the fact that stress has been relieved and also that they will no be forced out of their homes due to immobility issues.