What Are Stair Lifts?

For a number of individuals, using the stairs is something that is both difficult and potentially very dangerous. Generally, seniors are most likely to have trouble using the stairs and in fact it is this age group that is most at risk of a serious injury. This is one of the reasons that finding ways to prevent accidents on the stairs is so very important. One way that accidents are prevented is by using a stair lift.

A stair lift is a special kind of lifting aid that is designed to provide a more cost effective and easier alternative to installing a residential elevator or moving because the stairs can not be used without assistance.

Stair lifts use a tracked system and are usually attached directly onto the staircase, secured in place by screws. They can be installed onto traditional wooden staircases or staircases made out of metal, brick, or concrete. However, for non-wood installations special anchor bolts might be required.

Once the track is installed, it will run the complete length of the staircase. A chair or small platform then moves along the track, carrying a single person. The chaired stair lift is the most popular and also the safest type of stair lift. This is because when using a stair chair, the individual will remain seated as the lift is in motion. Most also include a chest or lap restraint for added safety.

Standing stair lifts, on the other hand, take up less space on the stairs, but since the occupant must remain standing, they require more balance than a regular stair lift would. In most cases, it is recommended to go with the sitting stair lift, but for people who have had knee replacement surgery or cannot otherwise easily use a seated stair lift, a standing stair lift might be the only option.

For most the seated stair chair is going to provide the best, safest, and easiest stair lift option to use. There are many models, but most stair lifts for a straight staircase are designed to be installed by the homeowner. The installation usually takes a few hours and does not require any special tools, however it is very important to carefully read the instructions before beginning and consult them as the stair lift is being installed.

While for a straight staircase the installation of a stair lift is something that most people who are comfortable using tools can do, stair lifts for curved staircases are a different beast. This is because the stair lift track will need to be custom bent to the staircase. This custom built track is very expensive and can take months to be built, where a regular straight stair lift can often be shipped in only a day or two. Not only must the track be custom built, but it must also be professionally installed, which is very costly and is also time consuming.

Most can expect for pay well over $10,000 for a curved stair lift, while a straight stair lift will usually cost less than $3,000, with some models available for only $1500.