Can’t get up the stairs anymore? Well, now YOU can stay in YOUR home and still use YOUR stairs!

A stair lift is a device that allows people who have limited mobility to move up and down stairs. The contraption enables the home occupier to maintain full use of their home when they cannot manage to climb or descend the stairs.

This is common with people who have muscular diseases, imbalance and unsteadiness, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and many other ailments which affect the body. Stair lifts have been in use since the 1930’s, at the time when a number of people suffered from polio, which limits the movement of the body. The stair lift became a useful tool that saved many people from having to sell their homes.

Read how stair lifts prevent difficulty on the stairs

“…It is very common for those who are over the age of sixty-five to have difficulty using the stairs. Many times it is as a result of a neuromuscular disease, like multiple sclerosis, but often it is a result of a cognitive disease, like arthritis…”

“…it is very easy to hurt yourself on the stairs and falling down the stairs is a leading cause of death. To help prevent the risk of severe injury a stair lift can be installed to almost all types of staircases…”

So, what exactly is a stairlift?

See how you TOO can stay in your own home!!

Most stair lifts look like a normal chair with a control on one of the arms. Stair lifts can be designed to travel in straight lines and to go around corners. They work on a track that is fitted onto the stairs and a drive system that carries the seat, which is attached to the track. The seat can carry a single person both up the stairs and down again. There is also the option of having a perch instead of a seat; this means the person is standing whilst travelling up or down the track.

The chairs come in all shapes and sizes to cover a wide range of requirements from the customer. All types have a support to hold onto or lean against.

One of the most common features people find appealing are the moveable arm rests. Another option is a swivel chair; this makes it easier for the customer to get on and off the stair lift. This is an excellent safety feature as it minimizes the chance of falling. The majority of chairs have swivel seats, but some do not. You can also buy chairs that enable a person to sit as well as stand.

Click here to read more about stair lifts

As time has moved on, so has the technology and requirements of stair lift customers. There is now a huge range available from a number of companies that sell them worldwide. Because houses come in all types of designs, the production of stair lifts has had to adapt to many different demands.

For wheelchair users, a version is available where the customer can drive onto the chair lift and be able to reach the upstairs part of their home. This version uses a platform that maneuvers up and down the stairs, but it needs a wide stair case to be able to function properly. There are also outdoor types available for any steps in the garden or doors.

Another excellent safety feature is that some stair lifts will stop automatically if there is an obstruction on the track. This safety feature stops the lift from damaging the obstructing article and also ensures the customer does not come to any harm.

Stair lifts safety demonstrated

There are two types of stair lifts: ones which run from the main domestic supply, and ones which are electric, but have a battery back-up.

The majority of customers prefer the electric variety because this ensures the lift still works if the main source of electricity gets cut off for any reason. The cable attached to the drive from the mains electricity supply could also become worn, as it has to move for the lift to able to slide up and down the track. Electric versions are easier to control and also reduce the chances of the user receiving an electric shock, though this is uncommon.

Some versions have buttons in order to operate the lift while other designs use a joystick. Some customers prefer the joystick as it is more comfortable to use.

Read on about how stairlifts provide increased mobility and independence

“…Stair lifts ensure increased mobility and independence to physically challenged people, as well as the elderly generation…”

Installing

The most simple to install would be on a straight stair case. These types can be installed by the customer. The track is attached to the steps and the rest is simple to piece together. Stair lifts with adaptations and extra features take more time to install.

If the stair case is a narrow one, there are types that can be attached to the wall to try and gain as much space as possible. When installing a stair lift that needs to go round corners, a lot more time needs to be taken to ensure safety. These lifts are also much more expensive than the standard straight lifts.

The track will need to be made specifically for the home, measurements will have to be taken in order to get the correct curve and shape of the bend. It can take over 2 months for the measurements to be taken, the track to be produced and the installation. There is a chance in some cases, depending on the house and mobility of the user that 2 straight cases can be used instead of a curved one. It is best to get the opinion of a dealer before purchasing a stair lift. Professional advice could save you time and money.

www.stairliftkit.com