There are a number of changes that occur as the body ages, some of these changes are a natural part of the aging process, while others are diseases that the elderly are more at risk for. In the case of all of these changes, both natural and those caused by diseases, it is not uncommon for the elderly to have to make some significant life changes.
One of the most common problems for the elderly is difficulty using the staircase, which is why the stairs are the most dangerous area of a home for the elderly. To help make the stairs safer and easier to use, it is possible to install a stair lift.
The stair lift is a very important medical aid, commonly used in the United States and Europe. It is used to move a single person up and down the staircase safely and without outside assistance. There are many different types of stair lifts, but they all share a similar design, with most falling into the category of stair chair.
Stair chairs, as is implied by their name, provide a chair to moves its occupant up or down the staircase. The senior or other stair lift user simply sits in the chair, pushes a button, and are carried up the staircase. An electrical motor is placed under the chair and moves the chair and its occupant up the staircase on a metal track that is attached to the steps of the stairway. If the staircase is very narrow or curved, the track may be attached to the wall instead of the steps, but this is not as common.
Stair chairs are not the only type of stair lift, with standing stair lifts also available. Standing stair lifts are popular among seniors who have had a hip replacement, knee replacement, or other surgery that makes it difficult to sit in a standard chair.
However, since the user will need to remain standing while they are carried up the stairway, standing stair lifts require much more balance than that of a standard stair chair. As a result, the standing stair lift, which is sometimes referred to as a perch lift, requires much more balance to use. Even with the multiple hand holds and support bars on most perch lifts, it is not recommended for seniors or others unless it is required by medical necessity.
When choosing between a stair lift, one important decision is whether to go with a battery powered stair lift or an AC powered stair lift.
The battery powered stair lift, which is also referred to as a DC Stair Lift, runs off of one or more batteries. This means that a battery powered stair lift will continue to work even during an electrical outage. DC stair lifts do have a slightly higher upfront cost and require that the batteries be replaced periodically.
AC Stair Lifts are less expensive, but are powered directly and will not function if the power goes out in the home.
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