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

Seniors and the elderly are often at a disadvantage when it comes to getting around the home, as diseases such as arthritis and limited vision often result in difficulties using the stairs and other areas of the home. However, since the most serious injuries occur on the stairs, as well as this being the most common place for a senior to fall at home, it becomes apparent that making the stairs safer and easier to use is a must.

However, before you just jump in and buy a stair lift or install an elevator, it is very important to spend some time evaluating the capacities of the senior, as well as ensuring that the stairs themselves are in good repair and safe to use. Only after these factors have been considered should you begin researching stair lifts or other types of home medical equipment.

When evaluating the abilities of the senior, it is important to take into account how well they are able to preform activities of daily life, which are often called ADL for short. The Activities of Daily Life include bathing ones self, using the bathroom without assistance, cleaning up after using the bathroom, preparing food, and general mobility. The level of function varies from senior to senior, often affected by diseases. Interestingly, studies have also found that often those without a strong support network of family or friends often have a higher level of ADL function.

It is very important to consider ADL functionality, because there are some cases when installing a stair lift is not the correct choice. For example, someone with very limited ADL functionality would probably be better off not using the stairs at all, or only using an elevator, whereas someone with a much higher level of ADL functionality would be able to safely use the stair lift.

As well as considering the abilities of the senior, it is also important to make sure the staircase itself is in good condition. This is because if the stairs are uneven or generally in poor repair, this needs to be addressed before installing a stair lift. Some things to watch out for are loose steps and missing or loose handrails, but it is also important to consider the landing and other areas that are close to the stairs.

In addition to the condition of the stairs, proper lighting is essential, with it being important that there is a light switch is located at both the top and bottom of the steps. This ensures that the senior will never have to use the stairway in the dark.

So, only after considering both the functionality of the senior and their ability to preform activities of daily life, as well as the condition of the staircase, should a stair lift even be considered, let alone purchased. A stair lift is a powerful safety tool and very easy to use, but it is not always the right choice and as such, buying a stair lift is not a decision that should be taken lightly.