Determining the easiest and most cost effective way of making the stairs safer to use is often a concern for those caring for their aging parents. Staircases can be very dangerous to those who are elderly, as the majority of hospitalizations among those over sixty-five occur as the result of a fall on the stairs.
Often, the first steps taken to make the stairs safer to use, involve making the actual staircase easier to use, such as by installing extra lighting or an extra handrail. However, for many, this is simply not enough, as the stairs can still not safely be climbed. For these types of situations, installing a stair lift is usually the next step.
Stair lifts are often called stair chairs, because of the way they work. The senior will simply need to sit in a chair, which is attached to a metal track on the staircase. The metal track is bolted to the steps and runs the entire length of the staircase. Once activated, the chair moves along the track and carries a single occupant up or down the stairs.
Typically, these devices use a geared drive that is powered by an electrical motor. The electrical motor moves the chair and is either directly powered from the homes electrical outlets, or uses battery powered. Battery powered stair lifts are popular because they allow the stair lift to be used in instances when the home has lost power, such as during an electrical storm, so there is not a risk of being stuck upstairs if the power goes out.
Standing stair lifts are also available, as well as stair lifts for people in wheelchairs. The latter are referred to as Incline Platform Lifts, or Inclined Platform Lifts, and provide a relatively larger platform for the wheelchair user to drive their wheelchair onto. They are then carried, wheelchair and all, up or down the stairs in a similar manner to a traditional stair lift. Wheelchair stair lifts require a much larger staircase though, so are very popular in schools and other commercial settings, but will not always work on all residential staircases.
Standing stair lifts, on the other hand, are typically used by people with a medical condition that prohibits them from sitting in a traditional stair lift. This includes those who have had knee or hip replacement surgery. Standing stair lifts, which are called perch lifts, are a little more dangerous than traditional stair lifts, as they require the person remain standing as they are moved up the staircase. As a result of this added risk, it is not recommended to use a perch lift unless it is a medical necessity.
Stair lifts are popular for a number of reasons, but one of the biggest advantages, when compared to other lifting aids, like elevators, is their cost. Stair lifts are relatively low cost safety solutions, although for non-straight stairways, stair lifts can get a little more pricey.
However, for a straight staircase, a stair lift usually costs between $1,500 and $2,500. This of course varies by model and features. Things like installation costs can also make the stair lift more expensive, but there are many models available that are designed to be installed quickly and easily, with only rudimentary knowledge of construction.
Wheelchair stair lifts typically cost a good deal more, although they are still much less than installing an elevator. A wheelchair stair lift usually costs closer to $10,000 and will likely require professional installation.
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