Silveridge Assisted Living has received $12,000 in financial support from the Eventide Foundation, the Crawford County Community Foundation and SFM Mutual Insurance Company to purchase and install a stairlift in the building. Silveridge saw a need to improve accessibility and safety for tenants to navigate the facility.
The stairlift will provide safety and accessibility for the tenants and equip the team with the best resources to handle emergency situations. The battery back up will play a critical role in safely evacuating individuals as quick as possible. According to the American Healthcare Association, mechanical lifts can significantly reduce the physical strain on healthcare workers during patient transfers. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has indicated that mechanical lifting equipment reduces exposure to manual lifting injuries by up to 95% among health care workers.
“Purchasing the stairlift is just one example of how Silveridge is focused on the safety of our tenants and team members,” said Kara Webb, RN, Director of Assisted Living, “We are thankful for the grant opportunities and support from multiple partners, and the consideration they give to our needs.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, one in four (26%) adults in the United States have a disability, about 61 million. Furthermore, about 14% of those have a mobility disability with problems walking or climbing stairs, and that number will continue to grow. In the event the elevator is inoperable, tenants and their visitors have another tool in order to move about the community and continue to participate in the day-to-day activities in a manner that is safer for all involved.
The purchase of this new equipment has been made in part possible by the Eventide Foundation. Funds collected by the Eventide Foundation are used to provide amenities to residents that would not otherwise be available. To learn more about the Eventide Foundation, give Community Relations & Foundation Director, Christine Kragel, a call at (712) 263-3114.
