Stair Lifts

Climbing the stairs is often something that is taken for granted, but for many it is something that is very difficult and presents a very real risk. People who are sufferers of arthritis or muscular diseases often find it very hard to climb the stairs. For these individuals a stair lift is often the only safe way to use the stairs.

A stair lift is a mobility lifting aid that can help to dramatically reduce the risk of a fall down the stairs. Most frequently a metal track is attached to the stairs and then a chair or small platform is sent up and down the track. The chair stair lift, or stair chair as it is usually called, is the most frequent type of stair lift. To take up less space many stair chairs fold up when not in use and heavy duty stair chairs feature reinforced seats that are wider than normal stair chairs.

If the staircase is straight, the stair lift is something that usually can be installed by the home owner. The track is first attached to the stairs and then the car unit, which consists of the chair or platform and electric motor, is brought to the top of the stairs and backed onto the metal track.

If you don’t have a straight staircase then you might be forced to get a curved stair lift, which is usually at least 10 times more expensive than a straight staircase. The reason for this increased cost is that the track must be custom built to fit your staircase. The process usually also takes several months to complete, where a straight stair lift can be up and running in less than a week. Those that have an ‘L’ shaped staircase with a landing in the middle can often install 2 straight stair lifts and save considerable time and money.

Using a stair lift is a great way to stay safe while using the stairs.

If you are at all unsteady while using the stairs, then you might be at a much greater risk of falling and injuring yourself. Often due to osteoarthritis or neuromuscular diseases those over 65 find that it is not possible to safely use the stairs. This presents a very real problem though and for many creates a barrier between the upstairs and downstairs portion of their home.

In order to help break down this border, many people install a stair lift. A stair lift is a device that literally carries a person up and down the stairs. A track is installed to the stairs and a car is sent up and down the track. The car contains the electric motor, a chair or small platform, and in some cases the stair lifts batteries.

In instances where the staircase is straight it is possible to have the stair lift installed quickly and relatively inexpensively. If your staircase is curved however it will be much more expensive. This is because a curved stair lift must be custom built to fit the curve of the staircase. It also will have to be professionally installed. Usually in addition to being much more expensive, a curved stair lift takes around 6 – 8 weeks to be built and installed.

Some people that have a stair case that is ‘L’ shaped can install two straight stair lifts instead of a curved stair lift. This can easily save over $10,000 and also means you will be able to have your lift set up in less than a week. It is possible because really an ‘L’ shaped staircase is actually 2 straight staircases that are put together. It must have a landing in between the stair cases though.

Stair lifts are used in homes and businesses across the country. A stair lift is a lifting aid that is used to help people climb the stairs. Whether due to injury, disease, or simply age, the stairs present a very real danger to many individuals and a fall can easily result in hospitalization.

To reduce the risk of falls and injury, stair lifts can usually be installed to most homes. In the past many companies have tried to make the installation process seem daunting and extremely complicated. In the past 20 years though, several companies have emerged that offer easy to install units that are of very high quality. Of course this is only true of straight stair lifts, because curved stair lifts are still very expensive and require a professional installation.

The first step to installing a stair lift is to measure the stairs. You will need to measure the total distance of the stairs as well as the width and length. Most companies can provide step by step instructions for the measurements. It is important that you get an accurate measurement though, because the track will be cut to fit your stairs.

After you have made the measurements and the stair lift has been shipped to your home, you are ready to get installing. The track will need to be secured to the stairs first, and then the car will be attached to the track. The car is what actually moves up and down the track and is responsible for carrying the rider. It most frequently consists of a chair and electric motor. If it is a battery operated lift, then the car will also contain the batteries. You will probably want to have someone help you with the car as well, because it can be pretty heavy.

A stair lift can be a great way to keep you or someone you love safe while using the stairs.