When a loved one is cleared to leave the hospital or rehabilitation facility, everyone breathes a sigh of relief. But the transition back home can be more dangerous than many families realize. Without proper wheelchair ramps, grab bar installations, and other necessary home modifications, the home environment can increase the risk of falls, delay recovery, and even cause additional trips to the hospital.

At Senior Home Solutions of Michigan, we help families across the state of Michigan make their homes safe and accessible quickly, often within 48 hours. With a little planning and the right modifications, you can ensure your loved one’s safe return home.

Why the Transition Home Is a Critical Moment

After surgery, illness, or injury, mobility is often reduced. The recovery period is pivotal to the aging in place process. A person who could previously climb stairs or step easily over a threshold may now be using a walker or wheelchair. Even temporary weakness makes everyday tasks like bathing or entering the house hazardous.

Hospital discharge planners and rehab specialists emphasize follow-up care and medications, but they may not stress home safety. Yet falls are one of the leading causes of hospital trips for older adults. Taking action before your loved one returns home, such as installing a wheelchair ramp or adding grab bars can help prevent setbacks and speed recovery.

Common Hazards Seniors Face When Returning Home

• Entryways and Steps: Steep or narrow steps leading into the house; thresholds that are hard to navigate with a walker or wheelchair. Steps are commonly 6”-8” tall, making them a challenge for someone mobility impaired or recovering from surgery.
• Bathrooms: Slippery floors, high tub walls, or no grab bars for support. Approximately 80% of all slip and fall accidents occur in the bathroom.
• Staircases: Lack of railings or the need to reach bedrooms or bathrooms on another floor.
• Cluttered Pathways: Narrow hallways or furniture that makes mobility aids difficult to use.
• Lighting: Poorly lit hallways or entryways increase the chance of tripping.

Identifying these hazards ahead of time allows you to put quick fixes in place, or to call the professionals at Senior Home Solutions for more substantial modifications.

Fast, High-Impact Accessibility Upgrades

You don’t need a full home remodel before your loved one comes home. In many cases, a few targeted improvements make a huge difference. Here are the fastest, most effective upgrades we recommend:

1. Install a Modular or Portable Wheelchair Ramp

Even if you don’t expect wheelchair use to be permanent, a wheelchair ramp can make a crucial difference during recovery. Our modular aluminum ramps can often be installed in as little as 24–48 hours. They provide a smooth, stable surface for walkers, wheelchairs, and caregivers.

For short-term needs, we also offer wheelchair ramp rentals, an affordable option that lets you pay only for the time you need the ramp. Wheelchair ramps give safe access to a door of entry in case of emergency and often help speed up the recovery process by allowing individuals to walk and become self-sufficient earlier in recovery.

2. Add Grab Bars in Key Areas

Grab bar installation in bathrooms, hallways, and near steps provides secure handholds that reduce fall risk. Today’s grab bars come in a variety of finishes and styles to blend in with your décor. Senior Home Solutions stocks chrome grab bars in a variety of sizes ready for installation in as little as 24 hours. They can usually be installed in just a couple of hours depending on the quantity and location. Homes with grab bars have reported a 30% reduction in slip and fall accidents, making grab bars one of the simplest products that can be installed to prevent accidents or setbacks in recovery. A study about grab bar use found that “Participants who had a grab bar were 75.8% more likely to recover their balance during the task than those who did not have a grab bar.

3. Use Threshold or Rubber Wedge Ramps

Even a one-inch rise at a doorway can be a tripping hazard. Small ramps or threshold transitions smooth out these bumps, making it easier to use walkers or wheelchairs. This is one of the simplest, least expensive modifications and can often be done the same day. Senior Home Solutions stocks rubber wedge transitions from as small as ¾” to 4”.

4. Reconfigure the Living Space

Sometimes the safest short-term solution is to bring the bedroom and full bathroom to the main floor. If that’s not possible, installing a stairlift or temporary ramp system for inside stairs can make upper floors accessible without risky climbs. Our stairlift systems can be installed in as little as a week, making it a quick solution to steps inside the home.

Brighten entryways, hallways, and bathrooms. Replace area rugs with slip-resistant mats. Widen pathways by rearranging or removing furniture. These low-cost changes dramatically improve safety.

How Senior Home Solutions of Michigan Helps

Our team specializes in quick, code-compliant accessibility solutions for families across Michigan. Because we stock many modular ramp components and have highly trained installers, we’re able to respond fast, often within 48 hours of your call (contact us today).

Here’s what to expect when you work with us:

• Fast Assessments: We visit the home to identify hazards and recommend solutions tailored to your loved one’s mobility needs.
  

• Rapid Installation: We carry modular aluminum ramps, wheelchair ramp rentals, grab bars, rubber wedge transitions, and other equipment to minimize wait times.
  

• Code Compliance & Safety: Every installation meets ADA and building code standards to ensure stability and long-term reliability.
  

• Flexible Options: Purchase or rent modular ramps depending on whether you need a permanent or temporary solution.
  

• Compassionate Service: We know how stressful hospital discharges can be. We take pride in putting the least amount of stress possible on the homeowner or family during a time of high stress. Our crew treats your home and your family with respect.

A Real-World Example

Recently, we received a call from a family in Grand Rapids whose father was being discharged after hip surgery. The home had three steep steps at the front door and a slippery bathroom with no support bars.

Within 48 hours, our team installed a modular wheelchair ramp, added two stainless-steel grab bars in the bathroom, and placed a threshold ramp at the back patio door.

Their father was able to come home safely and with much less stress for his caregivers.

Tips for Families Preparing for a Discharge

• Start Early: Ask the hospital or rehab staff for a home safety evaluation as soon as discharge is discussed.

• Know the Equipment Needs: Find out if a walker, wheelchair, or other mobility aid will be required at home.

• Get Professional Input: Even a quick consultation with a Senior Home Solutions specialist can prevent costly mistakes.

• Plan for the Future: Some “temporary” needs become long-term. Consider modular ramps or grab bar installations that can stay in place if needed.

Conclusion: Make the Transition Safe and Stress-Free

Bringing a loved one home from the hospital is a milestone worth celebrating. By taking a few proactive steps, especially installing wheelchair ramps, renting wheelchair ramps, and scheduling grab bar installation, you can dramatically reduce the risk of falls and readmission.

Senior Home Solutions of Michigan is here to help. Our mission is to make your home as safe, accessible, and comfortable as possible, exactly when you need it. If you’re facing a hospital discharge soon, contact us today for a fast assessment and installation so your family member can return home with confidence and dignity.