Stairlifts – Modern Convenience or Necessity?

Who Needs a Stairlift?

As you grow older, you may realize that your legs are getting too weak to constantly climb up and down the stairs of your home. You start to worry about being a burden on others and about not being able to enjoy every part of your home. This might even hamper you from going outside freely. This is also true for people with mobility issues related to an injury and have been advised not to walk during the healing phase. Thankfully, stairlifts provide the solution, so you can forget about being confined to the lower levels of your home or taking more drastic action, such as selling a house that you have lived in for years.

Benefits of Stairlifts

Stairlifts are a convenient way to ensure your independence. They also help prevent accidents caused by people losing their footing and tripping down the stairs. The design allows you to sit comfortably while you are carried up and down the staircase slowly and smoothly, without any jerks or bumps along the way. In fact, this technology is so useful that the commercial industry has adapted the concept of a stairlift to allow goods to be transported between building levels with ease, by replacing the chair seat with a tray. A stair chair lift is a cheaper alternative to an elevator – it occupies less space, is much easier to install and does not require the house to be remodeled.

Operation of Chair Lift for Stairs:

A chair lift for stairs needs a rail made of steel or extruded aluminum. If the staircase is wide enough, a rail can be mounted directly on the stair treads, or else, attached to the wall along which the stairs run. Metal brackets called cleats are used to attach the rail to the steps, and all the mechanical parts are neatly hidden from sight. Since it is custom built to match your individual specifications, you don’t have to worry about the fit. Every curved rail wraps tightly around the posts to ensure that the stairlift glides smoothly along curves.

The more advanced versions of chairlifts also offer adjustable seat height, adjustable speed control and a safety seatbelt. They can have call stations to for seeking assistance from some other household member and switches for battery isolation. Sometimes, the bottom of the staircase is positioned very close to a door, and the chair lift would be in the way of people going in and out. By using a hinged installation, the seat can be folded away when the stair lift is not required. Stair chair lift units come in various styles and colors, so you can choose one that matches the overall decor of your house.

Platform Stairlifts:

Public places like restaurants, hospitals and schools usually have a short flight of steps leading up from the sidewalk to the main level. They need to provide access to the elderly and the disabled, who are often confined to wheelchairs when moving about outdoors. A platform stairlift is the ideal solution in this case. The weight of the person and the wheelchair needs to be supported, so the rails have to be strong enough to handle the increased load. There is a flap all around the edge of the platform that folds out as a mini-ramp for easy access, and also prevents the wheelchair from rolling over.

Conclusion:

A chair lift is no longer a luxury or a modern convenience; it is a necessity for homes having elderly or disabled members. The costs vary, but in general, a straight rail is easier and cheaper than a curved rail. New stairlifts come with the manufacturer’s warranty and can be customized. This can be too expensive for some people, and in this case, you can consider a second-hand stair lift. In both cases, the service technicians come in and do a quick and efficient installation job.

Thanks for reviewing this article on stairlifts. For more information be sure to check back next week.