Of all areas in a home or other structure, the stairs present the most difficult and dangerous place to access. More serious accidents and injuries occur on the stairs that in any other area of the home, so it is very important to prevent accidents and injuries from occurring on the stairs. One way that these kinds of accidents can be avoided is by using a home lifting aid.
There are several popular kinds of lifting aids, but among them the stair lift is by far the most common. A stair lift is designed to carry a person up the stairs and back down again. Most use a chair and track system, although some use a small platform instead. The kind of stair lift that uses a platform is called a perch lift and since the occupant remains standing the whole time, they are not typically recommended for most, unless for medical reasons.
The stair lift is one of the most popular kinds of home lifting aids, however it is not the only one. One of the downsides of the stair lift is that it can not be used by a wheelchair or mobility scooter user. While some stair lifts could probably be used with a manual wheelchair, this process is not always going to be practical and electric mobility vehicles will not be able to use a standard stair lift at all. For these kinds of devices, a platform lift is required.
The incline platform lift offers a solution similar to a stair lift. It can be installed on interior staircases and moves along the distance of the staircase. Like a stair lift, it uses a tracked system. To save space, the platform folds up when not in use, allowing the stairs to still be used. However, it is rather large, so it will require a wider staircase. This makes it not always the best choice for smaller narrower residential staircases. However, it is very popular for use in businesses and schools.
The other type of platform lift is the vertical platform lift or wheelchair lift. Wheelchair lifts operate similarly to an elevator, however, unlike an elevator, vertical platform lifts are completely self contained. They usually require only a secure base for the lift to sit on. The platform lift is placed next to a staircase and moves the individual vertically between floors. While very powerful and useful lifting aids, these devices are not as well suited to indoor residential staircases. Portable models are also available, which are very popular amongst schools and churches.
Making the stairs a safer and easier place to use is very important for people of all ages and abilities, but those who are mobility challenged must ensure that the stairs can be used safely and without incident. Lifting aids can go a long way to furthering this goal.
Add a Comment