Preventing Accidents on the Stairs

It is quite easy and extremely common for those of us who are over the age of sixty-five to have accidents on the stairs. Many times it is simply a missed step, which results in a bruised knee, but it is not always so benign and falls on the stairs are the leading source of fortuitous death in seniors. To help control these risks and ensure that those who are over sixty-five can remain safe on the stairs, while still accessing all areas of their home, a stair lift is commonly installed.

A stair lift is a medical device that is used to transport a person between floors, in a manner that is similar to an elevator. They are much less expensive though and do not require anywhere near the same type of construction commitment that a personal elevator would. Stair lifts also do not carry a person vertically up and down between floors, but instead transport the rider across the length of the stairs.

The average do-it-yourselfer is usually able to install a stair lift to a straight staircase. It does not require any tools that are out of the ordinary and generally the only modification to the stairs is the bolting on of the track. The track remains stationary on the stairs and spans the complete length of the stairs. The stair lift user is then sent up and down the track in a chair or standing on a small platform. The platform stair lift, or perch lifts, are not quite as safe as a stair lift that uses a chair, so unless medically necessary, it is usually advised to install a chair stair lift.

People who choose to install a stair lift are able to safely access all areas of their home, despite the fact that their body might not allow them to safely climb the stairs any longer.