Stair Lifts: Safety on the Staircase

Those that are not able to walk up or down the stairs are usually able to get around fine in public areas, but if their home has a staircase, then they might not be able to access all areas of a home. These people would benefit from using a stair lift, which is a special type of mobility aid.

Stair lifts are designed to safely transport a person up and down the stairs. On a straight staircase, a stair lift can be easily installed and is a much less expensive alternative to an elevator. Usually the person is carried up and down the stairs in a chair that moves along a track that is attached to the staircase.

One of the main reason stair lifts are such an attractive alternative to elevators is of course the cost, but they are also easier to install and can be often ordered and set up in under a week. When you are done using them or you move, you can take it down and re-use it or sell it.

While on straight stairways, a stair lift is a good choice, if you have a curved staircase, you should seriously consider going with an elevator. Modern residential elevators can be installed into wood frames, such as you find in most homes, and will add value to the home. Curved stair lifts, on the other hand, must be custom built to fit the staircase, so they have little resale value. The cost and time it would take to order and install a curved stair lift is about the same as a residential elevator, so you will be far better served by choosing a residential elevator instead of a curved stair lift.

People who can not easily walk up the stairs can greatly benefit from using a stair lift, which will help keep all areas of their home open.