Stair Lifts

Climbing the stairs is one of the most dangerous activities for people who are over the age of 65. Most often this is as a result of arthritis or neuromuscular diseases, which make it painful and often impossible to safely climb the stairs. To help prevent accidents and reduce the risk of injury, a stair lift can be installed to most homes.

A stair lift is a special mobility aid that is designed to carry a person up and down the stairs in a safe manner. These remote control devices usually use a chair that travels along a track secured to the stairs. These lifts, commonly called stair chairs, can be operated with either hand and, depending on the model, support over 500 pounds.

People who install a stair lift are able to greatly reduce the risk of injury on the stairs, because they are carried up the stairs and do not have to manually climb them. Most quality stair lifts offer a swivel seat, which allows the rider to exit the lift safely at the top of the stairs. Some people choose to install a set of waist high grab bars at the top of the stairs to allow for increased stability as they exit the lift.

Using a stair lift in the home has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of injury and virtually eliminate the risk of a fall. They are most often seen indoors, but they are also available for outdoor use. If you do need an outdoor stair lift though, you will need to ensure that it is rated for outdoor use.