Around the home, there are many areas that prove to be very dangerous to seniors, but none of them compare to the dangers presented by the stairs. The stairs are the area of the home most often responsible for serious injury, hospitalization, and even death. To help prevent these types of accidents many people install stair lifts onto their staircase.
A stair lift is a lifting device that makes it possible to safely use the stairs. In many cases, they provide a very attractive low cost alternative to an elevator and can be installed quickly without major home renovations. A stair lift is a tracked device, which is generally attached directly to the steps, but in some cases will be attached to the wall next to the steps. In most cases a chair is then sent up and down the track, powered by an electric motor.
While the stair chairs are the most common, for some, like those who have had extensive knee surgery, it is not possible to safely sit down, so a standing stair lift is used. These stair lifts, which are called perch lifts, carry the individual up the stairs in a standing position. Since they individual will be standing as they move up the stairs, they are not quite as safe as a stair chair, so perch lifts should only be used if they are medically required.
Stair lifts are generally divided into two categories, which describe how they are powered. AC powered stair lifts are powered directly from household current. They plug into the wall and only work while the house has power.
DC powered stair lifts are battery powered and, while they still plug into the wall, the lift itself is actually battery powered. This means that a DC powered stair lift, or as it is usually called a battery powered stair lift, will continue to work during a power outage. These types of lifts have a slightly higher upfront cost and since the batteries must be periodically replaced, they also have a higher maintenance cost, but in the event of an emergency, the lift will still be functional.
Once you decide that you would like a stair lift, it is a good idea to take a quick initial measurement of your staircase. You will need a much more detailed measurement before ordering, but having an overall idea of the length and width of your staircase is important. However, in the case of a curved staircase, you will probably have to have a professional measurement team come.
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