Deciding When to Buy a Stair Lift and When NOT to Buy a Stair Lift

Knowing when not to buy a stair lift is just as important as knowing when to buy a stair lift, if not more so.

Before buying a stair lift, it is very important to spend some time evaluating the ability of the senior to preform the activities of daily life(ADL), which include things like bathing, cooking, and general mobility. Further, it is also important to consider the condition of the staircase and only consider a piece of home medical equipment, such as a stair lift or elevator, after ensuring that it can be safely used and is the correct type of treatment to improve the accessibility of the home.

A Stair Lift Primer

There are many areas in a home that present a risk to the elderly, but in regards to falls, most serious elderly falls, such as those requiring hospitalization, occur on the stairs. Falls and serious injury pose a very serious health risk to seniors, as numerous studies have shown that it takes much longer for a senior to recover from an injury. One way that the safety of the stairs is increased is by using a stair lift, which is a special type of tool used to safely move a senior up and down the stairs.

Selecting the Right Type of Stairlift

The stairs are quite dangerous to seniors and the elderly, with the most serious senior falling accidents usually occurring on the staircase. Typically, a stair lift provides the most economical way to ensure that the staircase can safely be used by the senior, while still retaining most of their independence.

Choosing the right stair lift can seem a little overwhelming, but by spending some time learning about stair lifts and how they work, it is actually a very simple choice.

Increasing Staircase Safety A Step at A Time

Countless studies have found that the stairs are the area of the home that is most dangerous to seniors and the elderly. There are many reasons for this and it is often a combination of the condition of the staircase, coupled with the diminishing abilities of the senior. In a number of instances, diseases like arthritis can also make using the stairs much more difficult.

Not only are the stairs a very common source of injuries among the elderly, but seniors have a much harder time recovering from injuries, as well as also having a much higher risk of injury.