Electric stair lift

Statistics on disability and wheelchair usage in the United States state that there are more than 1.6 million people who are confined to wheelchairs. For this matter, there is a huge need for buildings, homes, and other facilities to adapt to the needs of persons with disabilities, as indicated also by laws on wheelchair access. It can be easily understood how self care and managing at home can be very hard when you are using a wheelchair. For one thing, you have a limited mobility, and you may not easily move from the first floor of your home to the second floor.

To fix this problem, many homes today can now be fitted with electric stair lifts, which carry a person from one level to the other with ease. These devices were actually evolutions from an earlier model invented by C. C. Crespen in 1923. At the present time, many stair lift models and wheelchair elevators have been designed for the purpose of assisting patients with disabilities.

There are many advantages to purchasing an electric stair lift for your home. These machines are quiet and safe, and they greatly reduce the risk of injury from falling or slipping on the stairs. Plus, according to many users, these stair lifts may also be used for carrying luggage, groceries, and laundry conveniently and safely, too.

When you are buying an electric stair lift, you have options of getting one that is AC powered, battery operated, or both. AC powered means it has to be plugged to a wall outlet at all times for it to be operational. There are some models that run on DC power, with batteries that can be recharged automatically. These electric stair lift models are often used in hospitals and nursing homes. The advantage of having battery powered stair lift is that there is a lower risk of getting electrocuted during a power surge, or if there is a loss in power, the chair will still be operational.

What else should you consider if you have decided to get an electric stair lift? Think about the staircase you are about to install it in. Is it straight or curved? Fortunately, there are many models that have been designed to adapt to these structures. Plus, the seats or carriages may also be custom made to suit the needs of the wheelchair user. Most seats now come with swivels, arm rests, comfortable head rests, and cushions for extra comfort.

If you have a limited space in your staircase, choose an electric stair lift that is easily foldable. In this manner, if you are not using, it, you can just fold it against the wall so the stairs are accessible. Plus, there are now various modes by which you can control your electric stair lift. There are brands that have remote controls, joysticks, or buttons on either end of the staircase.

Find out more about special features of electric stair lifts, and browse reviews of various brands so you can determine which one will be perfect for your needs.