Stair lift

Stair lifts are moving devices that help people transport up and down stairs. The stair lift, or chair lift as it is otherwise known, was originally designed to help disabled people climb stairs without any effort from themselves, but has evolved to help elderly people maintain their independence. Stair lifts are a great way to help you climb stairs, and usually consists of a seat that simply moves up and down a rail that runs along the side of your existing stair case. This, of course, can help you stay in your current home if you are unable to climb stairs, rather than moving in to a bungalow or even a care home.

The first known stair lift was designed and made by a Pennsylvanian businessman, Crispen. He was inspired by his disabled friend, and designed the original stair lift to help people move freely around the home. It was in the 1930s when the idea was brought to the masses by American company, Inclinator Company of America. It was introduced at a time where polio was at its height, and the device helped many sufferers of the disease.

“Thanks to my stair lift, I can still live in my trusted home.”

Modern stair lifts can be controlled by different mechanisms, which include joysticks, control buttons and toggle controls. If you are interested in purchasing a stair lift then the choice of control system is something you should definitely look at, due to the fact that all three control types are different and can be more suited to your needs. For instance, the control button means that you hold down the button for the whole journey, and this could be painful for people who suffer from arthritis.

Buying a stair lift

In modern times, the stair lift has evolved and you can now purchase many different types of stair lifts. This includes custom made stair lifts that can take you round curved stair lifts, as well as standard lifts that can simply transport you on straight stair cases. Other choices include the color and material on the seat of your lift, meaning that you can make the lift blend in as much as possible with the decoration you currently have in your home. The prices of stair lifts depend a lot on your requirements, and also depend on whether you buy new or second hand. If you choose to purchase new, then stair lifts can cost as little as one thousand dollars, all the way up to tens of thousands of dollars: it really depends on what your needs and measurements are.

You should always gather quotes from as many different companies as possible, as well as try to actually see the stair lift before you actually buy it, as styles and colors may vary from the brochure. When buying a stair lift, always try and buy from reputable firms, as this will ensure that you receive top quality advice and post sales help, as well as maintenance help, should anything go wrong with your stair lift. As well as this, you should always try and haggle: many companies will ask for a high price, but you will often find that they rapidly drop the price if you just ask.

Essential features to look for

• Safety sensors that halt operation when the lift is obstructed can prevent serious accidents.
• A swivel allows easy access and will prevent you from making awkward steps to access or exit the lift.
• A soft start / stop mechanism that doesn’t give you a jolt when the ride starts or stops.
• Glide is a factor that determines how smooth the actual ride is.
• DC power. DC powered lifts use an automatically recharged battery to allow continued operation during power cuts.
• Remote control allows you to send or call a lift without the need of wires attached to the wall.
• Joystick control is easier and will cause less discomfort to sufferers from eg. arthritis.

Dr. Jones’ video guide to choosing a stair lift