Getting Around

Your author analyzes the advantages of stair lifts and explains why they are more suitable in certain layouts. 

User-friendly, floor-to-floor access is of prime importance in a multi-level dwelling apartment. A comfortably sized staircase can fulfill the required need. However, the situation changes once there are members of the family who are senior citizens with limited mobility or with physical disabilities, or even youngsters or others recovering from injury. 

If there isn’t enough space within the existing layout of the house/apartment/bungalow to accommodate an internal lift to enable people to traverse from one level to another, then it leaves them dependent on helpers or other family members who can carry them across the floors. Thus, often, people just confine themselves to a single level within the structure — not exactly a desirable situation. With the installation of a stair lift system, the whole equation in this scenario changes.

The Mechanism

Stair lifts are basically mechanized chairs that are retrofitted to existing staircases within a structure where there is no space to accommodate an internal lift. The mechanism involves a chair that travels along a rail or a track that is mounted to the staircase. The base of the chair houses a motor and its power supply battery. These chairs can move in both the upward and downward direction by way of gears on the track, which again are managed by the motor moving along the track.

Contrary to the general perception that retrofitting any new device within one’s home can be time-consuming and disruptive, installing a stair lift is practically hassle-free.

Like elevators, stair lifts are also equipped with call/send switches to operate them without any user. This is a very useful feature, especially where there are multiple individuals using the lift across floors. It also helps keep the stair lift at a distance to avoid any kind of misuse or damage. In this way, one can ensure these lifts are used only by individuals who actually need them.

Ease of Installation

Contrary to the general perception that retrofitting any new device within one’s home can be time-consuming and disruptive, installing a stair lift is practically hassle-free. It involves simply drilling a few holes to fit the tracks on the existing staircase and housing the chair on the tracks. After a few test runs (which do not consume too much time), the system is ready to use.

Ease of Use

Stair lifts are very user-friendly. Just as he or she would sit in an automobile, one simply needs to sit on the chair and put on the seatbelt, after which one needs to press and hold the rocker switch on the chair armrest. This gets the individual moving up/down the stairs. One then needs to release the switch to stop the stair lift, bringing it to a halt. The rocker switch can be customized to suit individual needs and can be put on the armrest where it is most convenient to reach.

Enhanced Safety

The use of staircases by seniors with limited mobility and people who are recovering from injury can raise safety issues, by way of falls. Stair lifts minimize these concerns, helping people move safely from one level to another in a very comfortable manner. 

Conclusion

Finally, stair lifts also help people achieve independence, as they do not need to rely or depend on other individuals to help them move from one level to another. This, in turn, instills in them a huge sense of confidence and self-pride.