Reducing the Chance of a Fall

Staircases are commonly found in homes across the World. Using the stairs is oft taken for granted, but people who have limited mobility are often not able to easily complete this task. To make using the stairs safer and easier, a stair lift can be installed.

A stair lift is similar to an elevator, in that they are used to carry a person between floors. Unlike an elevator though, many times a stair lift can be installed with little change to the home. They are also much less expensive if you have a straight stairway.

These lifts are many times referred to as stair chairs, because they carry a person up the stairs in a chair. Some models are also available that let the person remain standing as they move up the stairs. A standing stair lift is not as safe though, because it will require more balance and so it is usually recommended to go with a stair chair, unless it is not possible for the person to use the stairs.

For those that have straight stairs, several easy to install stair chairs are available. Most of the time the homeowner is able to install the lift in only a matter of a few hours. They don’t require any in depth construction knowledge, nor do they require any special tools. Even though many people will decide to do the installation on their own, professional installation teams are usually available. Even if you decide to use a professional installation service, they can still be installed much less expensively than an elevator.

Usually a straight stair lift takes less than a week to be shipped. From the time the lift is ordered to the time it is delivered only takes a few days. The dealer will need an accurate measurement of your stairs though, because the track is cut by the dealer to fit your steps. The dealer can provide an in home measurement service if required, but they are usually willing to talk you though it on the phone. Before you call the dealer though, you should get a rough estimate of the total length of your stairs. This is because depending on how long your staircase is, you might need to get a special lift.

Using a stair lift will reduce the risk of a fall and will make using the stairs possible again. This means it is not necessary to neglect an area of your home or struggle with your front steps, simply because you feel unsteady on the stairs. While a straight staircase is easy to outfit with a stair lift, it will be much more difficult if you have a curved staircase, so it will be a good idea to consider an elevator instead of a curved stair lift.