If you live in a two-story home but have trouble navigating the stairs, you may have considered stairlifts
as an option. Stairlifts reduce the risk of falling and allow adults
who can sit in a chair to traverse stairs comfortably and safely. Some
people think that they’ll save money if they buy a stairlift and install
it themselves, or have a local handyman install it for them. While it
can be considerably cheaper to do it that way, there are some very
serious dangers in a DIY installation of stairlifts.
Stairlifts Rely on Accurate Fitting
Yes,
there are standard styles and sizes of chairlifts, but because every
staircase is different, even standard stairlifts often need special
accommodations to make them fit properly. Even more important, the
staircase must be measured properly to ensure that the lift can be
safely installed. The measurements include the length of the staircase
and the rise of the stairs, among others. For staircases that have a
landing or a curve, professional measurement is even more important.
Stairlifts Are Complicated Electrical and Mechanical Machines
A
stairift isn’t just a piece of furniture that can easily be assembled
by anyone. It’s a complex machine that must be installed properly to
function safely. An improperly installed chairlift can malfunction and
cause serious injury. In addition, many manufacturers void the warranty
on lifts that are not installed by professionals.
Professional Installation Often Comes with Maintenance and Upkeep
When
you opt to have your stair lift installed by a professional, you often
also have the option to enroll in a maintenance plan. You’ll have a
repair service on call in case something goes wrong with your lift, and
often, regular checkups by a professional to prevent problems from
developing.
Professionals Can Help Overcome Many Seeming Issues
Got a staircase with a door
at the bottom? Got a narrow landing at the top of the stairway?
Professional stairlift installers have seen all of these problems
before, and can suggest ways to get around the issue safely. You can
avoid many installation problems just by consulting a professional from
the start.
Professional Installation Ensures Safety
Safety
is paramount importance. The biggest reason most people have for
installing stairlifts is safety – they fear that they or someone in
their household might fall on the stairs. When stairlifts are installed
improperly, they simply substitute one safety issue for another.
Professional installers are trained to make sure that the lifts are
installed properly and safely so there’s no risk of injury to either
riders or bystanders.
Stairlifts are an excellent option for
people who want to stay in their homes but find it difficult to manage
stairs without assistance. Professional installation is an absolute
necessity to ensure that the stair lift is safe.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
Benefits of Stairlifts in Making Homes More Accessible
Over the past several decades, it has become more and more clear that
there are many benefits to making accommodations that allow people with
physical challenges to continue living in their home. It’s less
expensive, leads to better health outcomes and provides a far better
quality of life than other alternatives. For people who live in homes
with stairs, stairlifts are a common-sense adaptation that can provide
many benefits. Here are some of the major benefits of installing a stairlift to provide easy transport between two stories of a home.
Allows People to Remain in their Homes Longer
As suggested above, people who can continue to live in their own homes after stairs become a challenge tend to fare far better by almost any measure than people who give up their homes because they can no longer manage the stairs. They are surrounded by their own belongings and remain in their communities. This familiarity actually has a measurable effect on delaying the onset and lessening the symptoms of such conditions as Alzheimer’s disease.
Enhances a Sense of Control and Empowerment
Being shut out of part of your own home is a frustrating and limiting experience. It can leave you feeling powerless and deprived of reasonable control over your own life. Stairlifts allow homeowners to continue with their daily activities with very little disruption, allowing them to be more active in the upkeep of their homes. They remove the feeling of helplessness that being confined to one area of the home can create.
Makes It Easier to Perform Routine Household Tasks
Many people who choose to install stairlifts can still traverse the stairs on their own, but find that normal chores are much more difficult or impossible. A chairlift can allow a homeowner to carry a basket of laundry up or down stairs, for example, allowing them to continue dealing with their routine household activities instead of relying on someone else to do them.
Reduces the Risk of Falling
Stairway falls account for a large percentage of hospital admissions in older adults. As we age, the sense of balance can become distorted, and dizziness is common. An older adult who falls on the stairs risks serious injury, including broken hips that often lead to permanent disability. Stairlifts prevent falls on the stairs and their consequences.
More Affordable than Relocation
Whether you’re moving into an assisted living situation or simply moving to a one-story home, it’s nearly always less expensive to install a stairlift This is especially true for older adults who have already paid for their homes in full and face a new mortgage or paying monthly rent if they are forced to move because they have trouble with stairs.
These are just a few of the most obvious benefits of stairlifts to provide accessibility in a home. Stairlifts are available to fit nearly any staircase configuration. For more information about installing a stairlift in your home, contact a local company that sells, installs and services stair lifts.
Allows People to Remain in their Homes Longer
As suggested above, people who can continue to live in their own homes after stairs become a challenge tend to fare far better by almost any measure than people who give up their homes because they can no longer manage the stairs. They are surrounded by their own belongings and remain in their communities. This familiarity actually has a measurable effect on delaying the onset and lessening the symptoms of such conditions as Alzheimer’s disease.
Enhances a Sense of Control and Empowerment
Being shut out of part of your own home is a frustrating and limiting experience. It can leave you feeling powerless and deprived of reasonable control over your own life. Stairlifts allow homeowners to continue with their daily activities with very little disruption, allowing them to be more active in the upkeep of their homes. They remove the feeling of helplessness that being confined to one area of the home can create.
Makes It Easier to Perform Routine Household Tasks
Many people who choose to install stairlifts can still traverse the stairs on their own, but find that normal chores are much more difficult or impossible. A chairlift can allow a homeowner to carry a basket of laundry up or down stairs, for example, allowing them to continue dealing with their routine household activities instead of relying on someone else to do them.
Reduces the Risk of Falling
Stairway falls account for a large percentage of hospital admissions in older adults. As we age, the sense of balance can become distorted, and dizziness is common. An older adult who falls on the stairs risks serious injury, including broken hips that often lead to permanent disability. Stairlifts prevent falls on the stairs and their consequences.
More Affordable than Relocation
Whether you’re moving into an assisted living situation or simply moving to a one-story home, it’s nearly always less expensive to install a stairlift This is especially true for older adults who have already paid for their homes in full and face a new mortgage or paying monthly rent if they are forced to move because they have trouble with stairs.
These are just a few of the most obvious benefits of stairlifts to provide accessibility in a home. Stairlifts are available to fit nearly any staircase configuration. For more information about installing a stairlift in your home, contact a local company that sells, installs and services stair lifts.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Stairlifts Improve Your Quality of Life
One of the primary benefits of residential stairlifts
is the improvement in quality of life they offer. “Quality of life” is
one of those nebulous phrases that people like to toss around, often
without knowing exactly what they mean and how their lives – or more
importantly, your life – will improve. When it comes to installing a
stairlift, though, there are proven benefits that most certainly fit
under “improved quality of life.” You may not even recognize how much
easier stairlifts can make your life. If you’ve never really thought
about it before, consider how different your life would be if you never
had to think about going up or down the stairs.
Go Up and Down Stairs Whenever You Want or Need to Do So
Many people don’t really consider themselves mobility-impaired, even though they spend most of their lives living on one story of their home. They can still climb the stairs, but it takes effort – enough effort that they avoid making those trips up to the bedroom or down to the laundry room – as much as they can. The little inconveniences may seem like small things, but they add up over time: leaving the house with a lighter jacket because it’s not worth the climb back up to your bedroom to change, for example, or forgoing the next chapter of your book because you left it on your bedside table.
It’s easy to think that it’s not worth the expense to install a stair lift just because it’s a little bit more difficult to climb the stairs than it used to be, because you’re out of breath when you reach the top or because your knees ache all day if you climb the stairs more than once or twice. Stairlifts are for people who are disabled, you may be thinking, certainly not for someone who can still climb stairs.
Stairlifts Prevent Injury and Debilitation
In fact, one major benefit of installing a stairlift in your home is that they help prevent further loss of mobility. If you suffer from arthritis or COPD, your condition isn’t going to improve with exercise. In fact, climbing stairs puts additional stress and wear on your joints, and could be hastening the time when you can’t climb the stairs at all. A stair lift can put off that day further, and preserve your mobility for things you enjoy doing, like playing with your grandkids or working in the garden.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that stairlifts are only for people who are unable to use stairs at all. In fact, one of the best reasons to install a stairlift is to hold onto your ability to engage in activities you enjoy – or, in words that bureaucrats love – they improve your quality of life.
Go Up and Down Stairs Whenever You Want or Need to Do So
Many people don’t really consider themselves mobility-impaired, even though they spend most of their lives living on one story of their home. They can still climb the stairs, but it takes effort – enough effort that they avoid making those trips up to the bedroom or down to the laundry room – as much as they can. The little inconveniences may seem like small things, but they add up over time: leaving the house with a lighter jacket because it’s not worth the climb back up to your bedroom to change, for example, or forgoing the next chapter of your book because you left it on your bedside table.
It’s easy to think that it’s not worth the expense to install a stair lift just because it’s a little bit more difficult to climb the stairs than it used to be, because you’re out of breath when you reach the top or because your knees ache all day if you climb the stairs more than once or twice. Stairlifts are for people who are disabled, you may be thinking, certainly not for someone who can still climb stairs.
Stairlifts Prevent Injury and Debilitation
In fact, one major benefit of installing a stairlift in your home is that they help prevent further loss of mobility. If you suffer from arthritis or COPD, your condition isn’t going to improve with exercise. In fact, climbing stairs puts additional stress and wear on your joints, and could be hastening the time when you can’t climb the stairs at all. A stair lift can put off that day further, and preserve your mobility for things you enjoy doing, like playing with your grandkids or working in the garden.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that stairlifts are only for people who are unable to use stairs at all. In fact, one of the best reasons to install a stairlift is to hold onto your ability to engage in activities you enjoy – or, in words that bureaucrats love – they improve your quality of life.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Taking Care of Stairlifts In your Home
Buying a stairlift
can solve many accessibility problems for older adults and those who
have difficulty climbing stairs. Many people forget that stairlifts may
need maintenance to keep working properly. Luckily, keeping your
chairlift in good working order is quite simple.
Preventive Maintenance Is the Key
Much of the maintenance required by stairlifts is preventive maintenance – simple daily care that will keep your stairlift in top working order. These simple tasks include:
Preventive Maintenance Is the Key
Much of the maintenance required by stairlifts is preventive maintenance – simple daily care that will keep your stairlift in top working order. These simple tasks include:
- Always leave the chair at the right position on the track when it is not in use. The chair will generally stop naturally at the right point. When the chair is positioned properly, the unit will recharge its internal batteries so that it will always be charged for use.
- Only unplug the unit if it will not be used for a considerable length of time, and then follow the procedure outlined in your user manual to prevent the battery from being damaged. Generally, you must switch off the mains before unplugging the unit from the wall outlet. Once the unit is unplugged, you can switch off the battery isolation switch to disconnect the battery.
- Keep clothing and other items off the stairway to prevent them from obstructing the lift or falling into the track.
- Do not allow children to play on or around the lift, both for their own safety and to prevent damage to the stair lift.
- Only use the lift with one person at a time. Stairlifts are not designed to carry more than one person. Exceeding the weight limit can damage the tracks and the lift mechanism.
- Contract with the supplier for your stairlift to provide annual checks and emergency maintenance services if needed.
- Check the power source to be sure that the lift unit is properly connected. If the unit is properly connected but there is still no power, check to be sure the outlet is active by plugging another electrical item into it.
- Check the battery charge level. If the unit has been drained, it can take up to 14 hours to recharge, and the lift may not operate properly until it reaches full charge again.
- Make sure that the chair is in the correct position for traveling. Most stairlifts will not operate unless the chair is in the correct position as a safety measure.
- Make sure that all of the switches are in the ON position. Depending on the model stair lift you’ve chosen, there may be three different switches to turn on.
- Make sure that the safety sensors are not stuck. Occasionally, a safety sensor will get stuck when there is not a safety issue. Carefully use your fingers to manipulate the sensors and make sure they move freely.
Monday, September 23, 2013
So You’re Interested in Stairlifts…
More and more people are looking into having a stairlift
installed in their homes to make life easier and more comfortable for
themselves or a family member. Stairlifts can make the difference
between being able to stay in your own home – the home you love – and
giving it up to live in a more accessible setting. The installation of a
stairlift can restore your access to all the areas of your home without
compromising the safety of people in your home who may have difficulty
navigating stairs. Why are stairlifts becoming so popular? Here are just
a few reasons.
Stairlifts Are Surprisingly Affordable
Many people think that installing a lift is an expensive proposition. In fact, depending on the style you choose, installing a stair lift can cost less than a month’s rent in an assisted living facility. A chairlift can allow you to remain comfortably in your home instead of finding a more accessible – and likely more expensive – home.
Restore Access and Dignity
One of the least discussed aspects of losing access to part of your home is the loss of dignity that often accompanies it. In many homes, for example, the toilet and bedrooms are on different levels. When climbing stairs is difficult, the solution might be a bedside commode or moving the bed to a room on the same level as the bathroom. Both of these options diminish a person’s dignity and reduce their privacy. Stairlifts offer another option by making it easier and safer of the person to navigate the stairs between the two stories so he doesn’t have to give up his dignity and privacy.
Retain Your Independence Longer
There are many small chores and tasks that most people take for granted, until they suddenly find that those chores have become difficult or impossible because a flight of stairs has become a barrier. Imagine how you would live if you couldn’t carry your groceries into your home, or if you had to rely on someone else to get your washing to the washing machine and dryer. Even those who can climb stairs may have trouble doing the same thing when carrying a bag of groceries or a laundry basket. An outdoor stairlift can make it possible to do your own grocery shopping and take out your own trash without having to rely on a friend, neighbor or relative to help out.
Difficulty with stairs should not define your life. If stairs in your home are making your life harder than it has to be, consider how much easier stairlifts could make your day to day living.
Stairlifts Are Surprisingly Affordable
Many people think that installing a lift is an expensive proposition. In fact, depending on the style you choose, installing a stair lift can cost less than a month’s rent in an assisted living facility. A chairlift can allow you to remain comfortably in your home instead of finding a more accessible – and likely more expensive – home.
Restore Access and Dignity
One of the least discussed aspects of losing access to part of your home is the loss of dignity that often accompanies it. In many homes, for example, the toilet and bedrooms are on different levels. When climbing stairs is difficult, the solution might be a bedside commode or moving the bed to a room on the same level as the bathroom. Both of these options diminish a person’s dignity and reduce their privacy. Stairlifts offer another option by making it easier and safer of the person to navigate the stairs between the two stories so he doesn’t have to give up his dignity and privacy.
Retain Your Independence Longer
There are many small chores and tasks that most people take for granted, until they suddenly find that those chores have become difficult or impossible because a flight of stairs has become a barrier. Imagine how you would live if you couldn’t carry your groceries into your home, or if you had to rely on someone else to get your washing to the washing machine and dryer. Even those who can climb stairs may have trouble doing the same thing when carrying a bag of groceries or a laundry basket. An outdoor stairlift can make it possible to do your own grocery shopping and take out your own trash without having to rely on a friend, neighbor or relative to help out.
Difficulty with stairs should not define your life. If stairs in your home are making your life harder than it has to be, consider how much easier stairlifts could make your day to day living.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Six Reasons That Stairlifts Make Sense
Stairlifts
make life easier for everyone in the household. If you or someone in
your home is finding it difficult to navigate stairs, installing a
stairlift can help restore their independence while providing benefits
for everyone else in the family. Why do stairlifts make sense as a
mobility option? Here are six reasons to consider a stairlift for your
home.
Peace of Mind for Caregivers and Family
Do you worry about a loved one who is no longer stable on the stairs? When you provide a chairlift, you can stop worrying when you can’t be there to supervise travels up and down the stairs.
Affordable Alternative to Other Solutions
Stairlifts are far more affordable than many other solutions you might consider when stairs become an option. Compare the cost of installing a stair lift to the cost of moving to a one-story home, moving to an assisted living center or even adding a room to first floor. A stairlift makes much more sense financially than the alternatives.
Reduce the Chance of Broken Bones
Stumbles and falls on stairs are among the leading cause of broken legs and hips in older adults. Sadly, most older adults who suffer a broken hip or serious bone break never recover their full mobility. Installing a chairlift can help prevent falls, and help older adults stay mobile longer.
Save Your Strength for More Important Things
If you suffer from COPD or other conditions that make climbing stairs a challenge, stairlifts let you save your time and energy for more important things than sitting and catching your breath.
Reduce Strain on Joints
Climbing up and down stairs puts an enormous amount of strain and stress on your ankles, knees and hips. Riding a stair lift up and down the stairs can help preserve your joints and make your life less painful.
Help Restore Independence
Get your groceries into your house without help, or carry the laundry upstairs without waiting for someone else to get home. While chairlifts are designed for single riders, you can carry things up and down the stairs with you. In fact, you can even buy baskets designed to make it even easier to carry things up and down the stairs on a stair lift.
Don’t let a simple thing like difficulty climbing stairs cramp your independence or rob your life of its pleasure. Contact a local dealer and learn about the many kinds of stairlifts available to suit your needs and make your life easier.
Peace of Mind for Caregivers and Family
Do you worry about a loved one who is no longer stable on the stairs? When you provide a chairlift, you can stop worrying when you can’t be there to supervise travels up and down the stairs.
Affordable Alternative to Other Solutions
Stairlifts are far more affordable than many other solutions you might consider when stairs become an option. Compare the cost of installing a stair lift to the cost of moving to a one-story home, moving to an assisted living center or even adding a room to first floor. A stairlift makes much more sense financially than the alternatives.
Reduce the Chance of Broken Bones
Stumbles and falls on stairs are among the leading cause of broken legs and hips in older adults. Sadly, most older adults who suffer a broken hip or serious bone break never recover their full mobility. Installing a chairlift can help prevent falls, and help older adults stay mobile longer.
Save Your Strength for More Important Things
If you suffer from COPD or other conditions that make climbing stairs a challenge, stairlifts let you save your time and energy for more important things than sitting and catching your breath.
Reduce Strain on Joints
Climbing up and down stairs puts an enormous amount of strain and stress on your ankles, knees and hips. Riding a stair lift up and down the stairs can help preserve your joints and make your life less painful.
Help Restore Independence
Get your groceries into your house without help, or carry the laundry upstairs without waiting for someone else to get home. While chairlifts are designed for single riders, you can carry things up and down the stairs with you. In fact, you can even buy baskets designed to make it even easier to carry things up and down the stairs on a stair lift.
Don’t let a simple thing like difficulty climbing stairs cramp your independence or rob your life of its pleasure. Contact a local dealer and learn about the many kinds of stairlifts available to suit your needs and make your life easier.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Which Stairlifts Should You Choose?
There are many different styles and types of stairlifts
on the market. Choosing the right one for your home and your needs
requires a bit of research and some knowledge of your specific needs.
These tips can help you choose among the many models of stairlifs
available today.
Figure in Installation Costs
While today’s stairlifts are far less complicated and finicky than the chairlifts of yesteryear, they’re still complex pieces of machinery that must be installed properly for safety. It’s vital that you engage a professional with experience installing stair lifts to ensure that your lift will be safe for use. Many dealers and manufacturers pair with certified installers in your area, so take advantage of their knowledge and connections to find an experienced installer for your project.
Think in the Long Term
When choosing the best stair lift for your needs, always think ahead to the future. Will the stairlift you choose still be usable if your condition deteriorates further?
Bring in a Consultant
Many dealers will send a technician around to your home to examine your staircases and make recommendations about your options. The technician will help you decide which staircase is the best one to use, as well as giving you information to help you choose which model of stairlift will be best for your use. You won’t get that kind of service if you buy from someone with the intent of installing the chairlift yourself.
Options to Consider
There are many different options to consider when choosing among the many chairlifts on the market. For example, if you have trouble bending your knees, you can choose a platform stair lift, or a stairlift with a perch on which you can stand. A perch is also a good option for very narrow staircases if the person who will be using it is able to stand.
An outdoor stair lift can restore your access to your garden and yard, or simply allow you to get in and out of your home easily. Outdoor stairlifts are designed to withstand all types of weather, making them suitable for use anywhere in the country.
Be sure to inquire about weight limits if that will be a concern. Standard stairlifts will usually carry up to about 20 stone (260 lbs). There are also lifts available that will carry up to 25 stone.
A chair lift can make your life immeasurably easier, and restore your access to areas of your home that are difficult to reach because of difficulty with stairs. There are many different kinds and styles of stairlifts available, so it should be easy to find one that suits your needs perfectly.
Figure in Installation Costs
While today’s stairlifts are far less complicated and finicky than the chairlifts of yesteryear, they’re still complex pieces of machinery that must be installed properly for safety. It’s vital that you engage a professional with experience installing stair lifts to ensure that your lift will be safe for use. Many dealers and manufacturers pair with certified installers in your area, so take advantage of their knowledge and connections to find an experienced installer for your project.
Think in the Long Term
When choosing the best stair lift for your needs, always think ahead to the future. Will the stairlift you choose still be usable if your condition deteriorates further?
Bring in a Consultant
Many dealers will send a technician around to your home to examine your staircases and make recommendations about your options. The technician will help you decide which staircase is the best one to use, as well as giving you information to help you choose which model of stairlift will be best for your use. You won’t get that kind of service if you buy from someone with the intent of installing the chairlift yourself.
Options to Consider
There are many different options to consider when choosing among the many chairlifts on the market. For example, if you have trouble bending your knees, you can choose a platform stair lift, or a stairlift with a perch on which you can stand. A perch is also a good option for very narrow staircases if the person who will be using it is able to stand.
An outdoor stair lift can restore your access to your garden and yard, or simply allow you to get in and out of your home easily. Outdoor stairlifts are designed to withstand all types of weather, making them suitable for use anywhere in the country.
Be sure to inquire about weight limits if that will be a concern. Standard stairlifts will usually carry up to about 20 stone (260 lbs). There are also lifts available that will carry up to 25 stone.
A chair lift can make your life immeasurably easier, and restore your access to areas of your home that are difficult to reach because of difficulty with stairs. There are many different kinds and styles of stairlifts available, so it should be easy to find one that suits your needs perfectly.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Yes, There Are Stairlifts for Your Stairs
Stairlifts
are the most obvious solution for people who have trouble navigating
the stairs in their homes but don’t want to leave them. Also called
chairlifts, stair lifts give you back access to your entire home by
providing a safe, easy way to navigate between stories in your home.
However, many people believe that they can’t find a stairlift to fit
their staircases. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact,
skilled installers can usually fit a lift to nearly any flight of stairs
they encounter. It’s a very rare staircase that can’t support a lift.
Here are a few of the problems that installers see regularly, and know
exactly how to fit.
Stairs That Spiral
Curving stairlifts are designed to navigate corners and curves with ease. Since the rails for the lift fit on the stairs, not on the wall, there’s no worry about “cornering” the chair. It simply glides around the curve.
Stairs with a Landing
A landing is simply an especially wide stair. The design of your stairway will determine exactly how the lift installer deals with it, but there are a number of ways it can be done. In some cases, particularly if the landing is narrow and the user can transfer from one chair to another, the best solution is to install two separate lifts. In other cases, there are stairlifts designed to go around the corner and continue up the stairs.
Stairs with a Doorway at the Head of the Stairs
Cellar stairs and stairs from the outside often end at a doorway. Well-designed chairlifts can be fitted to rise above the top stair close to the door, allowing the user to open the door, swing the seat around and stand onto the upper landing.
Doorway at Foot of Stairs
In some cases, the rail at the bottom of the stairs might extend across a doorway or into a hallway where it can be a tripping hazard. The solution to this problem is a simple one: a hinged rail at the bottom of the steps. A hinged rail can be lowered when descending the staircase and lifted out of the way when the chairlift is not at the bottom of the stair.
While fitting and installing stairlifts is always a job for professionals, it’s doubly important to have experienced professional installers deal with stairs that are oddly configured or shaped. Safety should always be your first concern, so be sure to work with a company that provides experienced installers who understand how to manage unusual situations.
Stairs That Spiral
Curving stairlifts are designed to navigate corners and curves with ease. Since the rails for the lift fit on the stairs, not on the wall, there’s no worry about “cornering” the chair. It simply glides around the curve.
Stairs with a Landing
A landing is simply an especially wide stair. The design of your stairway will determine exactly how the lift installer deals with it, but there are a number of ways it can be done. In some cases, particularly if the landing is narrow and the user can transfer from one chair to another, the best solution is to install two separate lifts. In other cases, there are stairlifts designed to go around the corner and continue up the stairs.
Stairs with a Doorway at the Head of the Stairs
Cellar stairs and stairs from the outside often end at a doorway. Well-designed chairlifts can be fitted to rise above the top stair close to the door, allowing the user to open the door, swing the seat around and stand onto the upper landing.
Doorway at Foot of Stairs
In some cases, the rail at the bottom of the stairs might extend across a doorway or into a hallway where it can be a tripping hazard. The solution to this problem is a simple one: a hinged rail at the bottom of the steps. A hinged rail can be lowered when descending the staircase and lifted out of the way when the chairlift is not at the bottom of the stair.
While fitting and installing stairlifts is always a job for professionals, it’s doubly important to have experienced professional installers deal with stairs that are oddly configured or shaped. Safety should always be your first concern, so be sure to work with a company that provides experienced installers who understand how to manage unusual situations.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Stairlifts Restore More Than Mobility
Jargon makes it easy to talk about things like aging-in-place and
restoring mobility and accessibility in simple, cut-and-dried terms.
What those facile marketing and academic terms also do, though, is mask
the most important benefits of installing equipment like stairlifts.
There’s no easy word for it, though freedom comes close. Many people
don’t ever pause to think what it means when stairs become difficult or
impossible to navigate. Anyone who has ever been there understands just
how much you lose when you lose access to half your home because you
can’t climb stairs anymore..
When Nana was discharged from the hospital after a massive coronary, she came home to a twin bed set up in the living room – the only room on the first level of the house with space for a bed. Her own bedroom, furnished with antiques she’d lovingly collected over the past 40 years, was up one flight of stairs, and the doctors had told her the stairs would kill her. She had no privacy in the house’s open floor plan, and, unable to climb the stairs to the tub and shower on the second story, was subjected to the indignity of bed baths in the living room. A simple stair lift gave her back the second story of her home – and so much more. Being able to move back into her bedroom and to access the full bath on the second level returned her dignity and privacy, helped her stop feeling like an invalid and allowed her to move on with her recovery.
Nana’s story isn’t unique. When pain or disability takes away your ability to easily navigate the stairs between the levels of your home, you lose far more than “mobility.” You lose bedtime stories and tucking the children or grandchildren into bed. You learn to make sure you have everything you’ll need for the day when you leave your bedroom, or do without, because it hurts too much to return to get a sweater, a book or your eyeglasses. It may mean you choose to sleep on the sofa in the living room rather than climb the stairs at the end of a long day, or have to rely on someone else to do the laundry because you can’t descend the stairs to the laundry room any longer.
Chairlifts give you back full access to your home, yes, but they also return independence and so much more. If you’re finding it difficult to climb stairs – or have a family member or loved one who finds stairs difficult – take a look at the emotional, financial and health benefits provided by stairlifts.
When Nana was discharged from the hospital after a massive coronary, she came home to a twin bed set up in the living room – the only room on the first level of the house with space for a bed. Her own bedroom, furnished with antiques she’d lovingly collected over the past 40 years, was up one flight of stairs, and the doctors had told her the stairs would kill her. She had no privacy in the house’s open floor plan, and, unable to climb the stairs to the tub and shower on the second story, was subjected to the indignity of bed baths in the living room. A simple stair lift gave her back the second story of her home – and so much more. Being able to move back into her bedroom and to access the full bath on the second level returned her dignity and privacy, helped her stop feeling like an invalid and allowed her to move on with her recovery.
Nana’s story isn’t unique. When pain or disability takes away your ability to easily navigate the stairs between the levels of your home, you lose far more than “mobility.” You lose bedtime stories and tucking the children or grandchildren into bed. You learn to make sure you have everything you’ll need for the day when you leave your bedroom, or do without, because it hurts too much to return to get a sweater, a book or your eyeglasses. It may mean you choose to sleep on the sofa in the living room rather than climb the stairs at the end of a long day, or have to rely on someone else to do the laundry because you can’t descend the stairs to the laundry room any longer.
Chairlifts give you back full access to your home, yes, but they also return independence and so much more. If you’re finding it difficult to climb stairs – or have a family member or loved one who finds stairs difficult – take a look at the emotional, financial and health benefits provided by stairlifts.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Tips for Choosing the Right Stairlifts
Stairlifts
are one of the premier accommodations you can make in your home to make
it safer and more accessible for older adults and anyone else who has
trouble with stairs. While stair lifts cost more than smaller
accommodations, such as safety bars in the bathroom, they can make the
difference between remaining in your home or having to give it up. If
you’ve started dreading chores that require climbing up or down the
stairs, a stairlift could make your life easier and allow you to remain
in your own home longer. These tips will help you choose among the many
stairlifts available on the market.
Who You Buy From Is Important
Stairlifts are complex pieces of machinery that must be installed properly in order to operate safely. Before you decide on which stair lift to buy, decide which stairlift company will get your business. It’s not just about quality stairlifts. It’s also important to choose a company that provides a consultant to help you choose the best model for your home and that will install it professionally for you. It’s the only way you can be certain that your chair lift is installed for safe operation.
Decide What’s Important to You
Before your appointment with the consultant, look over material about chairlifts to familiarize yourself with what’s available. Consider the various options for seats, upholstery, arm rests and foot rests so you have a list of options you want in your new lift.
Consider the Typical Use of Your Stairway
Think about the way the staircase is used now – who uses it? Does it get a lot of traffic or is it just you who will use that particular staircase? Are there typically children in the home? All of those factors will help you and your professional consultant decide on important options, such as clearance for people to pass on the stair and safety features like automatic stops and security locks that prevent the lift from operating without a key or a code input into the control.
Always Buy New
Every stairway is different, which is why the best companies selling stairlifts will come to your home to survey and measure your staircase so they can custom fit a lift specifically for you. Low-priced second-hand or refurbished chairlifts may be tempting, but the costs to fit them properly to your stairs can make them far more expensive – and if you don’t fit them, they may not be safe for use.
Stairlifts can help you stay in your home longer. A properly fitted stairlift isn’t just a convenience. It’s an investment in peace of mind and comfort.
Who You Buy From Is Important
Stairlifts are complex pieces of machinery that must be installed properly in order to operate safely. Before you decide on which stair lift to buy, decide which stairlift company will get your business. It’s not just about quality stairlifts. It’s also important to choose a company that provides a consultant to help you choose the best model for your home and that will install it professionally for you. It’s the only way you can be certain that your chair lift is installed for safe operation.
Decide What’s Important to You
Before your appointment with the consultant, look over material about chairlifts to familiarize yourself with what’s available. Consider the various options for seats, upholstery, arm rests and foot rests so you have a list of options you want in your new lift.
Consider the Typical Use of Your Stairway
Think about the way the staircase is used now – who uses it? Does it get a lot of traffic or is it just you who will use that particular staircase? Are there typically children in the home? All of those factors will help you and your professional consultant decide on important options, such as clearance for people to pass on the stair and safety features like automatic stops and security locks that prevent the lift from operating without a key or a code input into the control.
Always Buy New
Every stairway is different, which is why the best companies selling stairlifts will come to your home to survey and measure your staircase so they can custom fit a lift specifically for you. Low-priced second-hand or refurbished chairlifts may be tempting, but the costs to fit them properly to your stairs can make them far more expensive – and if you don’t fit them, they may not be safe for use.
Stairlifts can help you stay in your home longer. A properly fitted stairlift isn’t just a convenience. It’s an investment in peace of mind and comfort.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Dangers of DIY Stairlifts
Stairlifts help seniors and others with mobility impairments remain
in their homes. Installing a stairlift can give you peace of mind by
eliminating the fear that a loved one might fall on the stairs, and
makes it possible for those who suffer from restricted mobility to get
around their home freely again. Stairlifts can seem expensive at first
glance, but in most cases, the prices quoted for chairlifts include the
cost of installation. Some homeowners think they’ll save money by doing
the installation themselves. While there are some companies that will
sell a stair lift to be installed by someone else, installing stairlifts
should never be a DIY project. There are some very good reasons that stair lifts should always be installed by a professional with experience in doing it.
Safety Concerns
The Homecare Industry information Service recently published a report on the dangers of buying and installing secondhand stairlifts or DIY stairlift installation. The report pointed out that DIY stairlift installation is physically dangerous, and can lead to injuries and even fatalities. In one widely reported incident, a young child was killed when his head became trapped under the footrest of a DIY-installed chairlift. Professionals understand the safety features and how to install them properly.
In addition, stairlifts are not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Every stair lift must be properly fitted to the staircase on which it will be installed. Even on straight stairs, it’s important that the rail fittings be fitted properly to the rise and width of the stair treads. Stairlifts are complex, modern machines and should be installed by qualified professionals, if only for the safety concerns.
Financial Concerns
Many people who thought they’d save money buying a secondhand stairlift found they’d been penny wise and pound foolish. Some businesses do a thriving trade in coming in to repair damage done when DIY stairlifts go off the rails – sometimes quite literally. Family members who thought they’d save a bit of cash by doing their own installation have often found that the lift doesn’t operate properly because a safety feature is installed incorrectly – or worse, someone is injured because of the faulty installation and they have not only the repair bill but the medical bills as well.
Finally, older stairlifts may not incorporate the latest safety devices and features, making them unsafe. A reputable dealer and installer of stairlifts won’t sell outdated, dangerous equipment, so you can always be assured that you’re buying a safe product and that it is installed correctly for proper, safe operation.
Safety Concerns
The Homecare Industry information Service recently published a report on the dangers of buying and installing secondhand stairlifts or DIY stairlift installation. The report pointed out that DIY stairlift installation is physically dangerous, and can lead to injuries and even fatalities. In one widely reported incident, a young child was killed when his head became trapped under the footrest of a DIY-installed chairlift. Professionals understand the safety features and how to install them properly.
In addition, stairlifts are not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Every stair lift must be properly fitted to the staircase on which it will be installed. Even on straight stairs, it’s important that the rail fittings be fitted properly to the rise and width of the stair treads. Stairlifts are complex, modern machines and should be installed by qualified professionals, if only for the safety concerns.
Financial Concerns
Many people who thought they’d save money buying a secondhand stairlift found they’d been penny wise and pound foolish. Some businesses do a thriving trade in coming in to repair damage done when DIY stairlifts go off the rails – sometimes quite literally. Family members who thought they’d save a bit of cash by doing their own installation have often found that the lift doesn’t operate properly because a safety feature is installed incorrectly – or worse, someone is injured because of the faulty installation and they have not only the repair bill but the medical bills as well.
Finally, older stairlifts may not incorporate the latest safety devices and features, making them unsafe. A reputable dealer and installer of stairlifts won’t sell outdated, dangerous equipment, so you can always be assured that you’re buying a safe product and that it is installed correctly for proper, safe operation.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Stairlifts Are an Affordable Option
Do stairs in your home make your life difficult? Are you or a loved
one facing a decision about moving because you can no longer navigate
the stairs in your home? Stairlifts
offer an affordable alternative to many other solutions to the stairs
problem. Once the province of those well-off enough to afford major
renovations to their home, today’s stair lifts are not only more
affordable than ever, they’re also safer and far more attractive. If you
or a loved one has problems with stairs, a stair-mounted chairlift may
help you remain in your home despite the stairs.
Facts About Popular Stair Lifts
Stair lifts, sometimes also called chair stairs and chairlifts, help people how have difficulty climbing the stairs. They’re a fairly easy home modification that can provide safety and ease of use to people who suffer from osteoarthritis, neuromuscular disorders and other conditions that make it difficult to climb stairs. These are the major benefits of installing a stairlift in your home.
Safety
Falls are a major danger to older adults. A fall down stairs can cause broken bones, pulled muscles, head injuries and worse. A stair lift prevents falls in people who are unsteady on their feet or who deal with pain when climbing up and down stairs, making the home safer and preventing injuries.
Affordability
Stairlifts are surprisingly affordable even when you don’t consider their cost in comparison to the cost of moving to a more accessible home or transferring to a nursing home. A stairlift can allow an adult to remain in their home rather than facing the expense of moving to a supervised living facility because you fear a fall.
Convenience
A stairlift allows a person with limited mobility to access all levels of their home.
Don’t be put off by concerns about cost. You’ll find that stairlifts are far more affordable than you thought.
Facts About Popular Stair Lifts
- In most cases, you won’t need permission from local authorities to install a stairlift
- No matter the configuration of your stairs, a stairlift can be built to fit them
- Stairlifts are mounted on the stairs, not the wall, so there’s no concern about adequate support for the lift
- Today’s stair lifts are powered by a battery, not by your house current, so they continue to work even in a power failure
- Wireless remote controllers allow you to call the chairlift from either end of the stairs so you’re never stranded
- Modern stairlifts fold neatly out of the way when not in use so that others can use the stairs unobstructed
- Stiff, jerky rides are a thing of the past. Today’s chairlifts provide a smooth, gentle glide along the installed track
Stair lifts, sometimes also called chair stairs and chairlifts, help people how have difficulty climbing the stairs. They’re a fairly easy home modification that can provide safety and ease of use to people who suffer from osteoarthritis, neuromuscular disorders and other conditions that make it difficult to climb stairs. These are the major benefits of installing a stairlift in your home.
Safety
Falls are a major danger to older adults. A fall down stairs can cause broken bones, pulled muscles, head injuries and worse. A stair lift prevents falls in people who are unsteady on their feet or who deal with pain when climbing up and down stairs, making the home safer and preventing injuries.
Affordability
Stairlifts are surprisingly affordable even when you don’t consider their cost in comparison to the cost of moving to a more accessible home or transferring to a nursing home. A stairlift can allow an adult to remain in their home rather than facing the expense of moving to a supervised living facility because you fear a fall.
Convenience
A stairlift allows a person with limited mobility to access all levels of their home.
Don’t be put off by concerns about cost. You’ll find that stairlifts are far more affordable than you thought.
Monday, July 22, 2013
5 Reasons that Stairlifts Are Popular
Stair lifts are
among the most popular home modifications among people who are capable
of living in their own homes with one exception: they have trouble
navigating the stairs. People who opt for a stairlift do so for many
reasons. These are some of the reasons that people who choose chairlifts
and stair lifts make the decision.
Freedom
Stairlifts afford you the freedom to remain in your own home rather than leaving your familiar surroundings behind. With a stairlift installed, you once again have access to all the levels of your home, whenever you want.
Self-Reliance
Are you tired of counting on someone else to run up and down the stairs for you? With a stairlift you can easily make those trips yourself. There’s no worry about being unable to get to something on another level in your house if you’re the only one at home. With an outdoor stairlift you can even start bringing in your own groceries again because you no longer need two hands to grip the railing or a cane. Stairlifts allow you to rely on yourself again.
Peace of Mind
When you have a stairlift installed, your kids don’t have to worry about you losing your balance or tripping and falling when you go up and down the stairs. That gives them priceless peace of mind so that they can go to work and live their lives without concern for your safety.
Take Back Control of Your Life
When you start losing the ability to do the things you’ve always done, it’s easy to feel as if your life has spiraled out of control. How helpless does it feel to know that there are places in your own house that you can no longer reach because it’s too painful to climb the stairs? A chairlift gives you back the ability to move about your house freely, and gives you back a sense of control.
No Worries About Power Outages
One of the biggest concerns people have is that they’ll be trapped on an upper floor in the event of a power failure, but that’s not a concern with most stairlifts, which are powered by batteries. Even after the power goes out, a fully charged stairlift should be able to make 10 to 15 trips up or down the stairs.
Stairlifts and chairlifts are an inexpensive alternative to more expensive – and far more complicated – through-the-floor solutions like elevators and minivators. If mobility is a concern for you, contact a supplier of high quality stair lifts and find out how one can make your life better today.
Freedom
Stairlifts afford you the freedom to remain in your own home rather than leaving your familiar surroundings behind. With a stairlift installed, you once again have access to all the levels of your home, whenever you want.
Self-Reliance
Are you tired of counting on someone else to run up and down the stairs for you? With a stairlift you can easily make those trips yourself. There’s no worry about being unable to get to something on another level in your house if you’re the only one at home. With an outdoor stairlift you can even start bringing in your own groceries again because you no longer need two hands to grip the railing or a cane. Stairlifts allow you to rely on yourself again.
Peace of Mind
When you have a stairlift installed, your kids don’t have to worry about you losing your balance or tripping and falling when you go up and down the stairs. That gives them priceless peace of mind so that they can go to work and live their lives without concern for your safety.
Take Back Control of Your Life
When you start losing the ability to do the things you’ve always done, it’s easy to feel as if your life has spiraled out of control. How helpless does it feel to know that there are places in your own house that you can no longer reach because it’s too painful to climb the stairs? A chairlift gives you back the ability to move about your house freely, and gives you back a sense of control.
No Worries About Power Outages
One of the biggest concerns people have is that they’ll be trapped on an upper floor in the event of a power failure, but that’s not a concern with most stairlifts, which are powered by batteries. Even after the power goes out, a fully charged stairlift should be able to make 10 to 15 trips up or down the stairs.
Stairlifts and chairlifts are an inexpensive alternative to more expensive – and far more complicated – through-the-floor solutions like elevators and minivators. If mobility is a concern for you, contact a supplier of high quality stair lifts and find out how one can make your life better today.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Advice on Choosing Stairlifts
Stairlifts
are among the most popular home modifications, making it possible for
thousands of people to remain in their homes rather than moving to more
accessible living arrangements. There are many types and styles of
chairlifts available on the market, and choosing the right one can be
confusing. Age UK offers these bits of advice to help you choose among
all the stairlifts and chairlifts to find the one that’s best for you.
Consider Your Condition
Stairlifts are generally expected to last 10 to 15 years. Will the one you purchase today still serve your needs in a decade? If you suffer from a progressive disorder that is expected to worsen, a basic stairlift may only serve your needs for a few years – or it may be perfectly fine for the foreseeable future.
Likewise, think twice before deciding to save money by installing the stairlift on just a part of the staircase and taking the last few steps after a landing on your own. It’s easier to install stairlifts all in one go. If your condition worsens in a few years and you can’t manage those stairs, it will be far more expensive to retrofit a modification to your existing stairlift than it would have been if you simply covered the full staircase from the start.
Can the person who will be using the stairlift bend their knees enough to use the seated stairlift While chairlifts are the best known type of stair lifts, there are also lifts designed for people to stand and ride safely, as well as combination stairlifts that combine a chair and a standing platform for households where more than one person uses the chairlift.
Consider the Environment
Are there doors or passages that will be blocked by the stairlift track? Consider a style that includes an optional motorized track extension that will retract the excess track when the chairlift is not in use.
Will other people be able to use the staircase when the stair lift is folded up out of the way? Is it easy to fold up and down for the person who will be using it?
Controls
Will the person riding the chairlift be using the controls? If so, are the controls located in a position that is easy for that person to reach, and can they operate them easily? If not, can the controls be modified to use a joystick or other type of control that they can operate? Many chairlifts also include remote control options so that the user can call the lift from the top or bottom of the stairs as well as operate it on board.
Stairlifts can make your home accessible, comfortable and safe again. Take the time to choose the right type and style of stair lift for your needs and it will serve you for years.
Consider Your Condition
Stairlifts are generally expected to last 10 to 15 years. Will the one you purchase today still serve your needs in a decade? If you suffer from a progressive disorder that is expected to worsen, a basic stairlift may only serve your needs for a few years – or it may be perfectly fine for the foreseeable future.
Likewise, think twice before deciding to save money by installing the stairlift on just a part of the staircase and taking the last few steps after a landing on your own. It’s easier to install stairlifts all in one go. If your condition worsens in a few years and you can’t manage those stairs, it will be far more expensive to retrofit a modification to your existing stairlift than it would have been if you simply covered the full staircase from the start.
Can the person who will be using the stairlift bend their knees enough to use the seated stairlift While chairlifts are the best known type of stair lifts, there are also lifts designed for people to stand and ride safely, as well as combination stairlifts that combine a chair and a standing platform for households where more than one person uses the chairlift.
Consider the Environment
Are there doors or passages that will be blocked by the stairlift track? Consider a style that includes an optional motorized track extension that will retract the excess track when the chairlift is not in use.
Will other people be able to use the staircase when the stair lift is folded up out of the way? Is it easy to fold up and down for the person who will be using it?
Controls
Will the person riding the chairlift be using the controls? If so, are the controls located in a position that is easy for that person to reach, and can they operate them easily? If not, can the controls be modified to use a joystick or other type of control that they can operate? Many chairlifts also include remote control options so that the user can call the lift from the top or bottom of the stairs as well as operate it on board.
Stairlifts can make your home accessible, comfortable and safe again. Take the time to choose the right type and style of stair lift for your needs and it will serve you for years.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Frequently Asked Questions About Stairlifts
Stairlifts
are one of the biggest boons to people who want to remain in their
homes despite mobility problems. A stairlift removes the biggest barrier
most people face in their own homes – the perilous ascent and descent
to and from the second story. With chairlifts in place, adults who were
facing a forced move to assisted living can often remain in their homes
because their biggest barrier has been addressed. If you have more
questions about chairlifts, you may find them answered here.
Can You Install a Stairlift on Any Stairs?
It’s almost always possible to install chairlifts on a staircase, but there are exceptions. The odds are with you, though. Most installers find that they can install stairlifts 95% of the time. Of course, the particular stairlift you like may not be suitable for your home. That’s why the first step in fitting stairlifts is a visit to your home by a surveyor who will evaluate the type of stairlift that’s best for your particular staircase.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Stairlift?
A lot less time than you might expect. While the exact time needed to install stairlifts varies according to the model and installer, in many cases your stairlift can be installed in less than an hour. A professional installer will test the chairlift thoroughly to make sure it’s properly installed and in working order, and show you all the features so that you know how to use it before he leaves.
Can You Install Stairlifts on Curving Staircases?
Yes. There are models of stairlifts designed specifically for installation on curved staircases. They’re fitted to the stairs, not to the wall. Your stairlift will easily negotiate corners and get you from the top to the bottom – and vice versa – safely.
Will I Get Stuck If There’s a Power Failure?
It depends on the make of the stairlift The best stairlifts operate on battery power, just as an electric wheelchair or mobility chair does. You’ll always have plenty of warning that your battery needs charging, and your stairlift will operate just as it always does even if there is a power failure.
How Much Do Stairlifts Cost?
The cost of a stairlift depends on many factors, including the dimensions of your staircase. If you want to find out how much it would cost to install one or more chairlifts in your home, you can call an installer and have a surveyor come by to give you a quote.
Stairlifts offer people the ability to remain in their homes even when mobility has become an issue. You can learn more by calling a company that installs chairlifts with your questions.
Can You Install a Stairlift on Any Stairs?
It’s almost always possible to install chairlifts on a staircase, but there are exceptions. The odds are with you, though. Most installers find that they can install stairlifts 95% of the time. Of course, the particular stairlift you like may not be suitable for your home. That’s why the first step in fitting stairlifts is a visit to your home by a surveyor who will evaluate the type of stairlift that’s best for your particular staircase.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Stairlift?
A lot less time than you might expect. While the exact time needed to install stairlifts varies according to the model and installer, in many cases your stairlift can be installed in less than an hour. A professional installer will test the chairlift thoroughly to make sure it’s properly installed and in working order, and show you all the features so that you know how to use it before he leaves.
Can You Install Stairlifts on Curving Staircases?
Yes. There are models of stairlifts designed specifically for installation on curved staircases. They’re fitted to the stairs, not to the wall. Your stairlift will easily negotiate corners and get you from the top to the bottom – and vice versa – safely.
Will I Get Stuck If There’s a Power Failure?
It depends on the make of the stairlift The best stairlifts operate on battery power, just as an electric wheelchair or mobility chair does. You’ll always have plenty of warning that your battery needs charging, and your stairlift will operate just as it always does even if there is a power failure.
How Much Do Stairlifts Cost?
The cost of a stairlift depends on many factors, including the dimensions of your staircase. If you want to find out how much it would cost to install one or more chairlifts in your home, you can call an installer and have a surveyor come by to give you a quote.
Stairlifts offer people the ability to remain in their homes even when mobility has become an issue. You can learn more by calling a company that installs chairlifts with your questions.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Stairlifts, Safety Modifications Allow Seniors to Remain at Home
There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that seniors benefit from remaining
in familiar surroundings as they age, but many times physical barriers
make that difficult. Fortunately, there are also many products and
services that help eliminate those barriers and allow older adults to
continue living in their own familiar homes. Stairlifts
and other accommodations make homes more accessible and safer for those
who have limited mobility for any reason. These are the most popular
and useful home modifications for seniors who want to remain at home.
Stairlifts
Stair lifts, also called chair lifts, are a major boon to anyone who has navigating stairs in a home that has two or more stories. Stairlifts provide access to upper floors for those who are unable to climb stairs, and can be a deciding factor in whether a person remains in their home or has to move to a nursing home, assisted living facility or a one-story home. In addition to being useful to people who have trouble climbing the stairs because of a physical disability, chair lifts make stairs safer for people who suffer from balance problems or who are at risk of falling.
Additional Lighting in Hallways and Stairs
Stairwells and hallways can be darker than expected – especially if there’s only one light switch to control the lights. One or two additional light fixtures can make stairs safer and make it easier for people to see the controls on stairlifts or the edges of the steps. Adding a light switch immediately outside bedroom doors, at each end of the hallway or at both the top and bottom of the stairs ensures that seniors will always be able to turn on a light for safety before starting up or down stairs.
Adjust Counter Height
Kitchen counters are designed for people who are standing, but many older Americans have trouble standing for the length of time it takes to do food prep work. One solution is to adjust the height of the kitchen counters and remove cabinets beneath them, allowing a chair to be pulled up to the counter for food preparation.
Entrance Ramps
Stairs can be an issue outside the house as well as inside. If the stairs are steep, chair lifts can be installed under a canopy or covering to protect it from the weather. Ramps are useful for shorter inclines, such as one or two steps up to the front door. They’re also a useful modification for adults who use mobility chairs to get around outside the home.
Stairlifts and other modifications make it possible for older Americans to stay in their homes safely and comfortably rather than having to give up the home they’ve spent a lifetime building.
Stairlifts
Stair lifts, also called chair lifts, are a major boon to anyone who has navigating stairs in a home that has two or more stories. Stairlifts provide access to upper floors for those who are unable to climb stairs, and can be a deciding factor in whether a person remains in their home or has to move to a nursing home, assisted living facility or a one-story home. In addition to being useful to people who have trouble climbing the stairs because of a physical disability, chair lifts make stairs safer for people who suffer from balance problems or who are at risk of falling.
Additional Lighting in Hallways and Stairs
Stairwells and hallways can be darker than expected – especially if there’s only one light switch to control the lights. One or two additional light fixtures can make stairs safer and make it easier for people to see the controls on stairlifts or the edges of the steps. Adding a light switch immediately outside bedroom doors, at each end of the hallway or at both the top and bottom of the stairs ensures that seniors will always be able to turn on a light for safety before starting up or down stairs.
Adjust Counter Height
Kitchen counters are designed for people who are standing, but many older Americans have trouble standing for the length of time it takes to do food prep work. One solution is to adjust the height of the kitchen counters and remove cabinets beneath them, allowing a chair to be pulled up to the counter for food preparation.
Entrance Ramps
Stairs can be an issue outside the house as well as inside. If the stairs are steep, chair lifts can be installed under a canopy or covering to protect it from the weather. Ramps are useful for shorter inclines, such as one or two steps up to the front door. They’re also a useful modification for adults who use mobility chairs to get around outside the home.
Stairlifts and other modifications make it possible for older Americans to stay in their homes safely and comfortably rather than having to give up the home they’ve spent a lifetime building.
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