When you or someone who lives in your house is disabled or unable to use the stairs it can make ambulation or being self-sufficient more difficult. That is why there are in-home stair lift solutions that can allow those who have challenges with mobility to navigate the steps more easily.

Here are some things you should consider before you decide to have a stair lift installed in your home, because not every house can accommodate a lift.

The User

It is important to remember that although a stair lift is made for people who have trouble navigating stairs, the user must be able to access it. If the user is unable to hold themselves upright they may have a problem using the lift. Ideally, stair lift users can stand up and sit down without too much trouble and they can sit upright. Although stair lift chairs are typically outfitted with a safety belt to hold the rider more securely, heavily leaning forward while the chair is in operation is ill advised. Wheelchair users may better benefit from and be safer using a wheelchair lift instead.

Available Space

Make sure you have enough space to accommodate the stair lift. The width of your stairs just might be the most important measurement. Typically the narrowest a stairway can be is about 28 inches. You want the stairs to still be navigable when the stair lift is not in use. If there is a door or another obstacle at either end of the staircase, there may be some difficulty. Just because your stairs don’t have a wide landing or there is a door in the way, does not mean a stair lift is out of the question. It just means that you may have to spend more to accommodate the obstacles safely.

Whether the stairway is curved, straight or cornered has no bearing on if a stair lift can be installed or not. Indoors or outdoors, the number of landings or steps or floors won’t take you out of the running for lift either. These conditions often impact the cost of the installation.

Power

Stair lifts do not require special power sources. In fact, many stair lifts operate on a rechargeable battery, and the battery is what needs to be plugged into a wall outlet. Although a dedicated outlet is not necessary for a stair lift to operate, it may be necessary if the power cord can’t be plugged in without crossing the stairs, a doorway or hall. Be aware that power cords cannot be routed underneath carpeting because it poses a fire hazard, and that lifts running on AC power can’t be used during power outages.

When you or your loved one needs a little help getting up and down the stairs of your home, it helps to know what your options are to provide that assistance. A stairlift can allow you or your loved one to continue living in their home longer. A stairlift can also prevent dangerous falls. So be sure to speak to a professional installer about whether or not your house is a good fit for having a stairlift installed.

Published: 2019-10-24 06:39:06