Those Stairs Do Not Have to Be A Problem

A stair lift is a backed seat attached to a rail track that is bolted directly onto the steps of a staircase.  No structural changes are required to your home and a stair lift can be installed on a straight, curved or even spiral staircases.  The lift can be placed on either side of the staircase or even right down the middle since it does not attach to a wall, only the steps.

With a stair lift you can regain your entire home. Stairway lifts are the perfect solution to home accessibility – taking you up and down your stairs, safely, comfortably and effortlessly.

The lift can be used for carrying a person, laundry, groceries, or luggage up and down the stairs with a push of a button. Popular convenience features include swivel seats that turn away from the staircase, remote controls that send or call the lift to another floor, and a folding track at the lower landing to make the most out of small hallway space. The lifts plug into standard household outlets. Stair lifts can be placed on either side of the staircase.

1. Many uses for a stair lift.

A stair lift can be used to transport people, your laundry, groceries or even your luggage up and down the stairs with only a push of a button.  Since most lifts come with a weight capacity of 300 to 400 lbs. the only load limitation is really what you can fit on the seat.

2. Electric or battery operated.

Stair lifts can operate on direct electrical power or battery powered.  Electric powered lifts will plug directly into a standard household outlet that can be positioned at either the top or bottom of the staircase.  Battery powered do require charging after extended use but usually have a built in charger that also will plug directly into a standard household outlet.

Battery powered stair lifts have advantages that outweigh the electric powered and are now becoming the norm for home installations:

• Electric powered can be quite complex and time consuming to install (in some States you will not be able to install it legally, unless you are an ANSE qualified electrician).
• Electric powered can be more unreliable than battery powered and could even have the potential to electrocute
• Electric powered lacks the smoothness that battery powered can provide.
• Electric posered will be immobilized during a power outage even if in the process of a transport to another floor.

3. Safety and ease of use.

Stair lifts come with obstruction sensors so the lift will detect something directly in its path and automatically stop so you can remove it.  Most stair lifts will provide a seat the will swivel at the top and bottom allowing the user to safely get on or off the lift without having to board from step in the stairway.  The rail of the stair lift can even be extended so many feet beyond the stairway for safe and easy boarding.  Remote controls are provided to call the stair lift up or down the stairs so that multiple people can use at same time to reach the same floor.  A seat belt should always be directly attached to the seat so that the passenger cannot fall out during transport and a foot rest is provided at the bottom of the seat so that the passengers feet do not make contact with the stairs at any time during transport.  Controls can also be accessable from an arm of the seat giving the passengar direct control of directon the lift is moving in.  A stair lift will make your life, and the life of the person you are caring for, easier and safer for years to come.

The stair lift that we have in our home even comes with a keyed lock so that it cannot be operated without the key.  This is considered a safety device for children, grand children or even very intelligent family pets.

4. Economical choice over alternatives.

Typically, a stair lift can cost from $2,000 to $4,000 for the complete unit installed within your home.  This can definetly be a low cost alternative when stairs become an obstacle. Espically when you compare the cost of adding a room to the first floor, moving to an assisted living center, or purchasing a one-story home, a stair lift is by far the most economical choice.

The entire seat on most stair lifts will swivel at the top and bottom allowing the user to safely get on or off the lift.   All stair lifts provide a foot rest at the bottom of the seat and seat belt Remote controls are provided to call the stair lift up or down the stairs.

5. Reduces wear and preserves energy.

Dramatically reduces the wear and tear on ankles, knees, hip joints and elimenates concern from climbing stairs with any kind of heart condition.  Allows you to preserve precious energy for the activities you love to do.

6. Stylish and modern.

Most stair lifts fold when not in use to provide easy access to the stairs. Many stair lifts offer different fabrics and colors so you can customize to your taste.

7. What to look and ask for in a stair lift.

The very first thing you want to remember when choosing a stair lift is that they are not all created equal!

Although there is an ever growing demand for stair lift equipment, it is truly amazing how many out dated products are being installed in the homes of people that have not read up on lifts from web sites like this one.  This old technology equipment can be troublesome for the user because it’s unreliable and servicing can be expensive due to lack of replacement parts.  Lifts have come a long way since the days of chain drives and trailing cables.

As with most things - there is a baffling amount of choice out there in the marketplace. When choosing a piece of equipment like a stair lift, it is important to ensure that you are making like-for-like comparisons. Think carefully when buying this type of product via the internet. Your first real opportunity to clearly see the features, engineering (and limitations) of your new stair lift, are when it arrives on your doorstep.

Don't take any chances by making certain you conduct a direct like-for-like comparison of the features, technology, comfort and safety aspects of the equipment, before you hand over your money.

• You do not want cable hauled, be certain it rides a rail with positive rack & pinion drive providing a quite, smooth ride.
• It does not have any trailing cables.  This means it is electric powered and I suggest you select battery powered because it will be quick and simple to install, far more reliable, continue to work in the event of a power failure and you will not risk any danger of electric shock.
• You want a swivel seat with seat belt for safety and eash of use.
• Make certain it has soft start and stop to eliminate jarring at top or bottom of your stairs.
• Look for a lift with an overspeed governor (OSG) as standard equipment.  This safety equipment will ensure a safe stop at destination arrival even in the case of a hardware failure.
• You can find lifts with a comprehensive diagnostic system that recognizes and identifies faults and displays a fault code showing the stair lift status.

Things to remember

• A stair lift relieves the concern about the safety and comfort of your loved ones when you can't always be by their side.
• A stair lift will make your life, and the life of the person you are caring for, easier and safer for years to come.
• Low cost alternative when stairs become an obstacle.
• Stair lifts can be used for carrying things other than people up and down a staircase
• Reduces wear on your body and energy.