Does anyone know how to get an 89 year old up a flight of steps? She has a hard time walking and can’t do steps.

They make what’s called a stair chair specifically for this that is used on ambulances. I think you can purchase them for private use as well but using the safely is at least a 2 person job, one at each end.

The hardest but best thing to do is not to go. Safety first.

They make power lifts for stairs. They can be installed on a rental basis. It may be too much but that would solve the problem.

Set up a pulley system?
set up a tent outside snd bring the party downstairs
gait belts or harness
if they are not too steep and it’s only getting into the house … maybe a couple of pieces of plank wood, set up a “wheelchair ramp..

as the other post said.. stay home and welcome people in.. the cost will be a plate of leftovers…yum

Mom2many,

Have you asked Mom how she would feel about being carried up the stairs ?

We used the wheelchair to get my father in law in my house a few times. It was only up one step to a large wide stoop and then up over the door sill. Father in law hated it . It scared him especially leaving and going back down . He felt like he was falling . We don’t do it anymore .

My take: I would want TG to be as stress free and simple for my family as possible--even if that meant I couldn't be a full participant. My husband (soon to be 94) and I (86) aren't as mobile as we once were. We get around our single-level home O.K., but he doesn't do stairs, and they've gotten harder for me this year. It is what it is. We don't plan to go anywhere for TG--or Xmas or New Year's Eve.

I'd consider letting the family know that I'll be staying at home this year. I wouldn't expect or want anyone to risk their own back (or a fall) to lift or carry me. If the family residences are reasonably nearby, I'd add that I'd welcome anyone who would like to drop by to say hello before or after dinner. I'd REALLY appreciate a plateful of TG goodies, too!

Well we put Dad in a straight back chair, buckled in. Two strong male relative hoisted him up the stairs in no time.

I’d try 2 strong people lifting her sitting on a chair, the lightest strong chair you can find, if possible with arms. Strap her onto the chair so that she doesn’t slide sideways. If the lifters need a short break, prop a pair of the chair legs onto one of the steps. Move her to a more suitable chair once you’ve coped with the stairs. I'd also try it first on a flat floor to check that the lifters can cope - then if it's too hard, putting her down is quite safe. I hope it works!

What I would do is My Dad would wear a Leather belt and I would get behind him and Lift him up while he took a step and held Onto the railing . Use the belt to help you lift them up its extra strength and Balance .

Tthe one Thnaksgiving we were at my nephews, who had 13 stairs! going up to his 'great room'..the men simply 'fireman' carried mom up the stairs. They made a 'chair' with their arms and took her up. She LOVED the attention. And we loved that she could get up there without worry.

If she lives 2 minutes away could you just take mom home to use the bathroom during the event?

Its not fair that she be left out. There is a solution. I think telling her she needs to do the exercises may help. The wheelchair, not a good idea. Those things are heavy. Unless u can find a transporter that is made out of a lightweight material. Can you borrow one of those chairs the EMTs use?

I did have two young men carry a 250# man/boy down a flight of cellar steps so he could enjoy a Christmas party. The steps were open ones. One of those two young men was my DH. He was in his early 30s. He and a cousin thought it was a good idea. The man/boy had Prader Willi Snydrome. Was challenged in many ways. Told my DH, never again.😊He would have done it again. For him, there is always a way. What made me mad was Aunt expected this. No concern for her son and my DH.

Beatty, definitely the people for her!

I see 3 options;

1. Mom doesn't go: Daughter hosts TG in her house with stairs = Mom misses out.

2. Accessable venue: TG is held in a location Mom can access.

3. Split event: one big TG at daughter's. A smaller event held somewhere accessable (different house or resturant). Obviously at different times.

What's the most important factor? The location or the people?

Call your moms doctor for physical therapy, a bone scan and a stress test tomorrow. Not that it will have her bouncing up the steps but should make you a better informed caregiver on her capabilities and the exercise will do her heart and lungs good.

A flight of stairs sounds like at least a dozen steps. When was the last time she attempted stairs? Was this last year at the same location? How did she do then? Has her mobility, her weight, her desire to attend shifted since then?

A chair plus the weight of 100 lbs is quiet a different ask than a 175 pounds. So there is that.

Reading online it is advised that a gait belt be used, that going up, lead with the strong foot and use a cane, coming down start with the weak foot.

Any relative that is asked to assist should be consulted well ahead of time and be physically approved to do this themself. With your osteoporosis I hope you aren’t her helper.

As an EMT volunteer you probably know the availability of firemen. What goes up, must come down and a thanksgiving dinner is not an emergency.

Sorry to be such a nervous Nellie.

Do let us know how it works out as we learn from one another.

Getting her up in one thing. Getting her down is another. Sounds like grandma isn’t going to the family Thanksgiving.

Will she be willing to do some exercises between now and then to gain more strength to do a flight of stairs?? Is there a railing on both sides to get into your daughter's? My mom can barely do stairs so I stay behind her and help push her foot up if it gets caught. Then on the way down I stay in front of her in case she has a misstep.

Other than that, carrying her but that sounds pretty dangerous for everyone.

If these ideas here don't seem safe enough, which they probably aren't, then you might have to really change it up. Like you and mom get your meals delivered to your house. Or you go out to a nice restaurant, as someone else suggested. Sometimes we just can't continue with certain traditions, sad as that may be.

Best of luck.

Maybe you should all splurge and go to a restaurant for Thanksgiving. A restaurant will be equipped for handicapped people, and you can choose one that will be easy for all of you.

How heavy is she ? You don’t want anyone hurting their backs carrying her . This is a problem . This may not work but I had to do a graduation party for one of my kids in the garage due to weather once . Would that work ? Folding tables and Chairs in the garage if your daughter has one ? Space heaters too .
We can’t get my FIL in my house anymore . We bring food to him in AL.

I too think TG should be held at ur home. Who thought that daughters house would work?

The main floor of my sister's house is also up a flight of stairs but there is access in the back of the house with fewer steps. If that's not a possibility then many decades ago when my grandfather was in this position two of his burly grandsons sat him on a chair and carried it up.

Either you carry her up, or she just doesn't go up the stairs. Quite frankly, you will find it much easier to just have Thanksgiving at your house.

When my mom was still living at her house I know that she had not gone down into her own basement in years because she could no longer do stairs.