How Do Stairlifts Work?

Stairlifts make it possible for people who have trouble traversing stairs to get up and down between the stories in their home. If you’re considering installing a stairlift in your home, you may be curious about the actual mechanics that make these ingenious, helpful devices actually work. Here, in a nutshell, is how stairlifts work.
Construction
The typical stairlift consists of several basic components. First, there are the rails, a system of tracks that are fixed to the stair treads, or in rare cases, to the wall beside the staircase. Generally, there is a bracket attached to the steps on the stairway. The rails are attached to the brackets. Next there is the carriage, the component which moves along the rail. In most cases, the carriage is pulled along the rails by a chain or cable, though some may be driven along the rails by some other system. The carriage generally consists of a seat, usually with arms and a footrest for safety. Some chairlifts have a “perch” – a small platform on which a passenger can stand during transport. Finally, there is the battery, which powers the motor that runs the drive train. It is similar to an automobile battery and must be plugged in to recharge. The battery operation ensures that the stair lift will operate even if there is a power outage.
Controls
Most stairlifts are operated via a control on the arm of the lift. The control may be a switch or a toggle, which is easier to operate for people with limited dexterity. Modern stairlifts often also have a remote controllers that can operate the stairlift from a short distance. These operate as call buttons to bring the lift to the top or bottom of the stairs where a passenger is waiting.
Data
Most modern stairlifts also incorporate a computer processor which tracks the speed of ascent and descent and records the number of trips up and down the stairs. These records can help service engineers diagnose problems on service calls, and may also warn owners when parts need maintenance, attention or replacement.
Safety Meausres
Most modern stairlifts incorporate a number of important safety devices that cut the power to the lift when something goes wrong. These range from sensors that stop the seat when they encounter an obstacle or obstruction on the stair to governors, which brake the chair if the mechanism recognizes that the chair is moving too fast.
Most engineers and vendors who install stairlifts will be happy to explain the key workings to you if you ask, because it makes their jobs easier if you understand how the lift operates, so if you have questions, just ask.

Misconceptions About Stairlifts

You’ve probably seen the television ads for stairlifts, ads featuring happy older adults riding up and down the staircase on a comfortable chair. Chairlifts are an excellent option for adults who have trouble navigating stairs because of age or physical disability. Many people resist the idea of installing a chairlift because they think they’re too expensive, or that they’re “not disabled enough,” or some other similar reason. In fact, today’s stairlifts are more affordable than ever. Here are some other misconceptions you may have about stair lifts that are keeping you from making one of the best decisions of your life.
Stairlifts Are Too Expensive
While a stairlift is certainly more expensive than, say, installing a set of shower grab bars, they’re nowhere near as expensive as many people believe. In fact, a simple straight chairlift will probably cost you no more than a couple of month’s rent. That’s quite cheap, especially when you consider the alternatives are giving up your home, or moving to a building with a single level.
I’ll Get Stuck During a Power Outage
Absolutely not. Today’s stairlifts are powered by rechargeable batteries, similar to those that power your automobile. If you should happen to lose power, the chairlift will continue to operate for up to several days, depending on the number of trips for which it is used.
Getting a Stairlift is Like Giving in to Infirmity
Some people resist getting a stairflift because they feel like it’s an admission that they’re “getting old” or that they can’t handle living on their own anymore. In fact, stairlifts are the exact opposite. They give you back access to your entire home and allow you to resume doing chores you’d been afraid of tackling because of the stairs.
My Stairs Are Too Awkward for a Stair Lift
It’s a pretty rare staircase that can’t be fitted with a stairlift. Stairlifts can be fitted to straight stairs, narrow stairs, wide stairs, curving stairs, stairs with landings – about 85% of staircases can handle a standard chairlift. Many of the others can be fitted with stairlifts after some accommodation is made. In the rare cases where stairlifts are not the answer, many companies that provide them also provide platform lifts and other options.
If you or someone in your household has trouble navigating the stairs in your home, contact a company that sells and installs stairlifts to find out if they might be the best solution for your situation.

Special Features Available with Stairlifts

Stairlifts help people get up and down stairs safely. Modern stairlifts run on a rail that is mounted on the treads of the stairs rather than on the wall, making them adaptable to many different types of staircases. While they’ve been around for more than 75 years – the first stairlifts were marketed commercially in the 1930s – they’re becoming far more popular as the concept of “aging-in-place” gains widespread acceptance. While the original chairlifts were simply a carriage with a lift attached, modern stairlifts are available with a wide variety of features that make them safer and more comfortable in use. These are a few of the more widely available.
Adjustable Seat Height
One of the most basic features for stair lifts is an adjustable-height seat. This is important not only for comfort, but for safety. It’s important for the rider to be able to sit comfortably on the seat in order to ride the lift safely.
Platform Lifts
While most stairlifts are chairlifts, there are some people who cannot comfortably take a seat, perhaps because of knee pain or stiffness. For them, stairlifts can be fitted with a standing platform and handrail. If a rider must stand on a stairlift, this is the only safe way to do it.
Wide Seats
Many chairlifts are available with wide-width seats to accommodate larger people. Talk to a professional installer about the possibility of installing wider seats on a standard stairlift if you believe you need more room for your seat.
Multiple Call Stations
Modern stairlifts can be called from either the top or the bottom of the stairs so that no one is ever stranded on the “wrong end” of the lift. For lifts that traverse more than one flight of steps, there may be even more call stations.
Flip-up Seat
Seats and arm rests can be folded out of the way when the chairlift is not in use, making it easier for people to use the stairway on foot.
Speed Governor
The speed governor monitors the speed of the lift in use and steps in to brake it, preventing injuries if the seat is moving too fast.
Seatbelts
Most chairlifts come with a safety belt to secure the rider in the chair. This can be especially important for people who have balance issues.
Flip-up  Rail
When the end of a staircase falls at a hallway or door opening, the end of the stairlift will often extend across the doorway, causing a tripping hazard. In that case, installers often use an end rail that can be flipped up out of the way when the chair is not actually in use.
Talk to a professional stairlifts vendor about special features that make sense for your needs so that your stairlift is exactly right for you.

Six Reasons That Stairlifts Make Sense

Stairlifts make life easier for everyone in the household. If you or someone in your home is finding it difficult to navigate stairs, installing a stairlift can help restore their independence while providing benefits for everyone else in the family. Why do stairlifts make sense as a mobility option? Here are six reasons to consider a stairlift for your home.
Peace of Mind for Caregivers and Family
Do you worry about a loved one who is no longer stable on the stairs? When you provide a chairlift, you can stop worrying when you can’t be there to supervise travels up and down the stairs.
Affordable Alternative to Other Solutions
Stairlifts are far more affordable than many other solutions you might consider when stairs become an option. Compare the cost of installing a stair lift to the cost of moving to a one-story home, moving to an assisted living center or even adding a room to first floor. A stairlift makes much more sense financially than the alternatives.
Reduce the Chance of Broken Bones
Stumbles and falls on stairs are among the leading cause of broken legs and hips in older adults. Sadly, most older adults who suffer a broken hip or serious bone break never recover their full mobility. Installing a chairlift can help prevent falls, and help older adults stay mobile longer.
Save Your Strength for More Important Things
If you suffer from COPD or other conditions that make climbing stairs a challenge, stairlifts let you save your time and energy for more important things than sitting and catching your breath.
Reduce Strain on Joints
Climbing up and down stairs puts an enormous amount of strain and stress on your ankles, knees and hips. Riding a stair lift up and down the stairs can help preserve your joints and make your life less painful.
Help Restore Independence
Get your groceries into your house without help, or carry the laundry upstairs without waiting for someone else to get home. While chairlifts are designed for single riders, you can carry things up and down the stairs with you. In fact, you can even buy baskets designed to make it even easier to carry things up and down the stairs on a stair lift.
Don’t let a simple thing like difficulty climbing stairs cramp your independence or rob your life of its pleasure. Contact a local dealer and learn about the many kinds of stairlifts available to suit your needs and make your life easier.

Why Home Evaluations Are Important for Stairlifts

If you’ve been looking around at stairlifts with the intent to buy, you’ve probably found there are two kinds of dealers who sell them: those who do installations and those who provide you with chairlifts that you can install yourself. While a DIY stairlift may seem like a good way to save money, there are some very good reasons why you should always deal with a company that installs and services the stairlifts that they sell. Here’s what you should know about home evaluations and choosing the right chairlifts for your needs.
Every Stairlift Must Be Custom Fit to Your Stairs
Stairlifts are not one-size-fits-all. They must be cut to fit the length, width and rise of your staircase in order to operate safely. If the rails are too short, too long or installed at the wrong angle, your stairlift may not operate at all, or worse, it may be unsafe to ride.
Measuring for Stairlifts Must Be Precise
The manufacturer will need more than the length and width of your staircase to provide you with a lift that is right for your needs. In fact there are many important measurements, and getting just one wrong can render the stairlift inoperable. A trained stair lift consultant knows exactly which measurements are needed and the best way to take those measurements.
A Consultant Knows the Available Options
One of the ways that a trained consultant can help you during a home evaluation is by showing you options you may not have considered, or including options you may not have known are available. A consultant may be able to see a way to fit a chairlift to a staircase you thought was too narrow, or may point out accessories or options that will make a stair lift more comfortable and usable in your home.
You Can Have Confidence in the Installation
When the measurements and preliminary requirements were handled by a professional, you can have confidence that the installation of your stairlift will be safe.
Maintenance and Repair Is Never an Issue
Finally, when you have the installation done by professionals who sell and service stairlifts every day, you never have to worry about getting repairs and service when you need them. Most companies that sell and install lifts and other mobility aids also offer service contracts that include regular maintenance and emergency repairs so you never have to worry about being without your lift after you’ve found how useful it is to your life.

Stairlifts Improve Your Quality of Life

One of the primary benefits of residential stairlifts is the improvement in quality of life they offer. “Quality of life” is one of those nebulous phrases that people like to toss around, often without knowing exactly what they mean and how their lives – or more importantly, your life – will improve. When it comes to installing a stairlift, though, there are proven benefits that most certainly fit under “improved quality of life.” You may not even recognize how much easier stairlifts can make your life. If you’ve never really thought about it before, consider how different your life would be if you never had to think about going up or down the stairs.
Go Up and Down Stairs Whenever You Want or Need to Do So
Many people don’t really consider themselves mobility-impaired, even though they spend most of their lives living on one story of their home. They can still climb the stairs, but it takes effort – enough effort that they avoid making those trips up to the bedroom or down to the laundry room – as much as they can. The little inconveniences may seem like small things, but they add up over time: leaving the house with a lighter jacket because it’s not worth the climb back up to your bedroom to change, for example, or forgoing the next chapter of your book because you left it on your bedside table.
It’s easy to think that it’s not worth the expense to install a stair lift just because it’s a little bit more difficult to climb the stairs than it used to be, because you’re out of breath when you reach the top or because your knees ache all day if you climb the stairs more than once or twice. Stairlifts are for people who are disabled, you may be thinking, certainly not for someone who can still climb stairs.
Stairlifts Prevent Injury and Debilitation
In fact, one major benefit of installing a stairlift in your home is that they help prevent further loss of mobility. If you suffer from arthritis or COPD, your condition isn’t going to improve with exercise. In fact, climbing stairs puts additional stress and wear on your joints, and could be hastening the time when you can’t climb the stairs at all. A stair lift can put off that day further, and preserve your mobility for things you enjoy doing, like playing with your grandkids or working in the garden.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that stairlifts are only for people who are unable to use stairs at all. In fact, one of the best reasons to install a stairlift is to hold onto your ability to engage in activities you enjoy – or, in words that bureaucrats love – they improve your quality of life.

Taking Care of Stairlifts In your Home

Buying a stairlift can solve many accessibility problems for older adults and those who have difficulty climbing stairs. Many people forget that stairlifts may need maintenance to keep working properly. Luckily, keeping your chairlift in good working order is quite simple.
Preventive Maintenance Is the Key
Much of the maintenance required by stairlifts is preventive maintenance – simple daily care that will keep your stairlift in top working order. These simple tasks include:

• Always leave the chair at the right position on the track when it is not in use. The chair will generally stop naturally at the right point. When the chair is positioned properly, the unit will recharge its internal batteries so that it will always be charged for use.
• Only unplug the unit if it will not be used for a considerable length of time, and then follow the procedure outlined in your user manual to prevent the battery from being damaged. Generally, you must switch off the mains before unplugging the unit from the wall outlet. Once the unit is unplugged, you can switch off the battery isolation switch to disconnect the battery.
• Keep clothing and other items off the stairway to prevent them from obstructing the lift or falling into the track.
• Do not allow children to play on or around the lift, both for their own safety and to prevent damage to the stair lift.
• Only use the lift with one person at a time. Stairlifts are not designed to carry more than one person. Exceeding the weight limit can damage the tracks and the lift mechanism.
• Contract with the supplier for your stairlift to provide annual checks and emergency maintenance services if needed.

If your lift isn’t working properly, there are a few things you can check before calling a repair service.

• Check the power source to be sure that the lift unit is properly connected. If the unit is properly connected but there is still no power, check to be sure the outlet is active by plugging another electrical item into it.
• Check the battery charge level. If the unit has been drained, it can take up to 14 hours to recharge, and the lift may not operate properly until it reaches full charge again.
• Make sure that the chair is in the correct position for traveling. Most stairlifts will not operate unless the chair is in the correct position as a safety measure.
• Make sure that all of the switches are in the ON position. Depending on the model stair lift you’ve chosen, there may be three different switches to turn on.
• Make sure that the safety sensors are not stuck. Occasionally, a safety sensor will get stuck when there is not a safety issue. Carefully use your fingers to manipulate the sensors and make sure they move freely.

Stairlifts require very little ongoing maintenance, but it’s important to keep them clear of obstructions, and to operate them safely. It’s also a good idea to have an installer check the lift annually for any wear or developing problems.

Stairlifts Information and Answers to Questions You Didn’t Want to Ask

It’s becoming more and more popular for older adults to remain in their own homes, or to move in with children – or move their adult children in with them. For many people, stairs are the only real barrier to remaining at home with family. Stairlifts, once a fairly exotic and expensive solution to limited stairway mobility, are rapidly becoming mainstream as an active, independent generation of adults starts butting up against aggravating limitations in their daily lives. If mounting the stairs is increasingly a chore that fills you with dread – or you’re confined to one floor of your home because you can’t manage the stairs – a stairlift may be the answer for you.
It’s not unusual for older adults to see ads on television for chairlifts and stairlifts, consider them wistfully and then dismiss the thought of installing one in their own home because of some misconception or other. Check out these answers to questions that many buyers were too embarrassed to ask.
Aren’t Stairlifts Expensive?
Expensive is in the eye of the beholder. They’re actually considerably more affordable than most people believe, especially when you compare the expense to the cost of moving house or moving into a nursing care home. Before you decide that you can’t afford a stairlift book a consultation with a company that sells and installs them to find out just how affordable they can be.
Won’t I Have to Get Zoning Permissions?
It’s very rare that you’ll need construction permits or zoning permission to install a stairlift in your home. You should always check with your local regulations, of course, but installing stairlifts doesn’t require any major modifications to your home at all. At most, you may need to have new wiring inspected by an electrician before you can start using the lift.
Won’t I Get Stranded If There’s a Power Outage?
Modern stairlifts operate on a rechargeable battery similar to the ones used for electric wheelchairs. In general, you’ll get about 8 to 10 hours of use from a fully charged stairlift.
Don’t Stairlifts Get in the Way of Others Using the Stairs?
Chairlifts are designed to fold up and out of the way when not in use. Most staircases are plenty wide enough to allow passage past the folded chair, and many are wide enough for a pedestrian to pass beside the chair if necessary.
What If I Need a Stairlift Outside?
There are stairlifts that are specially designed for outdoor use. They feature weatherproof housing for the power and drive train mechanisms, as well as waterproof coverings for the seat.
Aren’t They Kind of Ugly?
Modern stairlifts come in a surprisingly wide variety of styles, and you can often select from an assortment of seat cover fabrics so that the chairlift fits into your home’s décor as closely as possible.
If you have other questions, contact a local supplier of stairlifts, who will be happy to answer them for you.

Why Measuring for Stairlifts Should Be Left to Professionals

No one should be a prisoner on one story of their own home, but that’s the situation for thousands of older people who find it difficult or impossible to navigate stairs because of physical limitations. Equipment like stairlifts and chairlifts can restore access to other levels of the home, allowing people to stay in their homes, sleep in their own bedrooms, climb the stairs to their own bathrooms – in short, live their lives with a minimum of disruption.  Stairlifts represent a significant cash investment, though, and many people will look for ways to cut costs wherever possible. Some dealers offer significant discounts to people who measure their own stairs for stair lifts. Reputable dealers discourage this practice strongly for safety reasons.
Custom Measurements
Even straight chairlifts require careful measurements for a proper fit. Reputable companies that sell stairlifts will send a specially trained consultant or technician around to your home to take the required measurements. Those measurements include the total length of the staircase, the height of the treads and the rise of the stairs, the width of the staircase and the space available at the top and bottom of the staircase for standing and turning. If those measurements are not taken properly, the stair lift you buy may not fit your staircase. Worse, stairlifts that don’t fit properly can be dangerous.
Experienced Eyes
One of the most important benefits of working with experts in installing stairlifts is their experience. A knowledgeable technician or consultant can determine the safest and best place to mount stair lifts, as well as providing advice on which stairlifts are most suitable for your needs. An experienced consultant can also discuss possible modifications with you – wider seats, narrower footrests or a different type of control unit, for example – that can make the stairlift you choose even more convenient.
Other Benefits
In addition to those, many groups that will build stairlifts based on your own measurements are frequently lacking in other areas as well. They may not offer installation or pass you off to a list of “local installers” who have little experience in mounting chairlifts on stairs. These companies frequently provide little maintenance or follow-up services, and the minimum warranty they can get away with.
Stairlifts carry your most precious cargo up and down the stairs. They are pieces of heavy equipment with specific operating needs, and must be installed correctly in order to operate safely. Don’t take risks with cut-rate chairlifts. Always work with a reputable company that will take proper measurements and provide local installation and maintenance to ensure you get many years of safe service from your lift.
Why Measuring for Stairlifts Should Be Left to Professionals
No one should be a prisoner on one story of their own home, but that’s the situation for thousands of older people who find it difficult or impossible to navigate stairs because of physical limitations. Equipment like stairlifts and chairlifts can restore access to other levels of the home, allowing people to stay in their homes, sleep in their own bedrooms, climb the stairs to their own bathrooms – in short, live their lives with a minimum of disruption.  Stairlifts represent a significant cash investment, though, and many people will look for ways to cut costs wherever possible. Some dealers offer significant discounts to people who measure their own stairs for stair lifts. Reputable dealers discourage this practice strongly for safety reasons.
Custom Measurements
Even straight chairlifts require careful measurements for a proper fit. Reputable companies that sell stairlifts will send a specially trained consultant or technician around to your home to take the required measurements. Those measurements include the total length of the staircase, the height of the treads and the rise of the stairs, the width of the staircase and the space available at the top and bottom of the staircase for standing and turning. If those measurements are not taken properly, the stair lift you buy may not fit your staircase. Worse, stairlifts that don’t fit properly can be dangerous.
Experienced Eyes
One of the most important benefits of working with experts in installing stairlifts is their experience. A knowledgeable technician or consultant can determine the safest and best place to mount stair lifts, as well as providing advice on which stairlifts are most suitable for your needs. An experienced consultant can also discuss possible modifications with you – wider seats, narrower footrests or a different type of control unit, for example – that can make the stairlift you choose even more convenient.
Other Benefits
In addition to those, many groups that will build stairlifts based on your own measurements are frequently lacking in other areas as well. They may not offer installation or pass you off to a list of “local installers” who have little experience in mounting chairlifts on stairs. These companies frequently provide little maintenance or follow-up services, and the minimum warranty they can get away with.
Stairlifts carry your most precious cargo up and down the stairs. They are pieces of heavy equipment with specific operating needs, and must be installed correctly in order to operate safely. Don’t take risks with cut-rate chairlifts. Always work with a reputable company that will take proper measurements and provide local installation and maintenance to ensure you get many years of safe service from your lift.

Remodeling for Accessibility: Stairlifts and More

Stairlifts are just one way of retrofitting your multilevel home to make it more accessible. The aging of the baby boomer generation has spawned a whole new set of buzzwords: multi-generational households, aging-in-place and wheelchair accessibility are just a few. Essentially, we’re talking about ways to make homes more comfortable and convenient so that seniors – and others with mobility problems – can stay at home instead of moving into a costly and much less comfortable apartment or assisted living facility. While it may seem that single-story homes are the ideal choice for people who have trouble with stairs, equipment like stairlifts can make multi-story homes comfortable, safe and convenient for older adults and those with mobility issues. These are a few of the mobility solutions that can make it much easier and safer to get from one floor to another in your home.
Stairlifts
Stair lifts, also known as chairlifts, transport you up the stairs in a seated position. A stairlift reduces the risk of falling on the stairs – one of the most common places for dangerous falls among older adults. They’re an excellent solution for people who can transfer on and off the chair but have trouble climbing or descending stairs because of pain, weakness or dizziness. There are also standing stairlifts that are designed for people who find it uncomfortable to sit because of arthritis or other joint problems. Stair lifts glide on rails attached to the stair treads rather than to the wall, allowing them to support more weight safely. They generally only take up about half the width of the staircase and most often have a seat that folds out the way when the lift is not in use, so they allow easier use of the staircase on foot. The best stairlifts are custom designed to fit each staircase, and can be fitted to straight staircases as well as to curved ones.
Other options for traversing stairs are far more expensive and often unnecessary. An inclined platform lift – also known as a wheelchair lift – costs up to 10 times as much as a stair lift, while a home elevator is even more expensive.
Stairlifts can make it possible for older adults to remain in their homes rather than making a forced move to an adult community, assisted living community or a smaller, one-story home. Before resigning yourself to moving, check out the various options available to make your entire home accessible again.

Stairlifts: Safety First

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 15,000 Americans over the age of 65 died from injuries related to falls in 2005. That number doesn’t take into account the number of seniors who spent weeks in the hospital recovering from broken bones after falling on stairs, or had their mobility permanently impaired because of a fall on stairs. Stairlifts help prevent falls by providing an easy, convenient and safe way to travel between the different levels of a house. By doing that, they make it possible for older people and those who are mobility impaired to remain in their homes, a condition shown to be both more affordable and healthier than moving into an assisted living facility. The UK health departments show similar numbers and conclusions.
While chairlifts can make a home safer for those who have trouble navigating stairs, it’s important to choose stair lifts that meet specific safety standards. When looking for a stairlift, consider these factors.
Stair Lift Safety Standards
All stairlifts sold in the UK must meet the safety standards outlined in BS EN 81-40:2008, which covers safety standards for the construction and installation of lifts, including stairlifts and inclined lifting platforms intended for persons with impaired mobility. Those standards include:
-          A monitor that tracks the speed of the stairlift and disengages the drive if it is going too fast
-          Safety edges on the carriage and footplate to prevent injuries caused by entrapment
-          Seatbelts to prevent falls from the seat
-          Seat swivel to allow the passenger to get on and off the lift safely
Professional Installation
One of the biggest causes of injuries on and around stairlifts is improper installation. Installing chairlifts is not a DIY project. The safety features must be correctly installed to ensure safe operation and use. Always buy from a supplier that sends professionals to install your lift.
Battery Power
Chairlifts that operate on mains power can leave you stranded on one level of the home if the electricity is cut off for one reason or another. Choose a model that operates on a rechargeable battery, and will continue to operate even if there is no power to your home.
Stairlifts and Children
Stairlifts are a powerful temptation to children – even more fun than a banister. Always properly supervise children around stair lifts. Better yet, talk to the supplier about safety mechanisms that prevent children from operating the lift without an adult present, such as requiring a key to lock and unlock the power generator, or a code for the wireless remote control.
Stairlifts provide a measure of peace of mind and safety for people who have trouble navigating stairs. Take the time to ensure they are properly installed and to take a few safety precautions to make them even safer.

How to Choose Stairlifts

These days, the trend for older adults is “aging in place” – a rather trite term that means “staying at home instead of going to an elderly care facility.” It’s an option that most people prefer, but they may have barriers that make remaining at home difficult. One of the most common of these barriers is stairs. Age and disabilities can make it difficult or painful to navigate the stairs, but that shouldn’t confine someone to one floor in their own home. Stairlifts return access and mobility to those who can’t comfortably navigate the stairs in their home. There are a wide range of chairlifts and stair lifts on the market, and choosing the best one for your needs can be confusing. Consider these factors to help you choose the best stair lift for your use.
Design
There are a number of basic designs for stairlifts, including those that mount on straight stairs and those that can navigate curved – or even spiral – stairs. The most common chairlifts are those that mount the rails on the steps (or treads) rather than along the wall. This lends them additional strength and stability. In addition, there are heavier duty lifts meant for wheelchairs, as well as perching stairlifts for those who can’t comfortably sit because of knee problems. The best way to choose the right design for your home is a professional consultation to evaluate your staircase and present the best possibilities.
Safety Features
The best stairlifts have integral safety features to ensure that they can be used without fear of injury. Check to be sure that the stair lifts you’re buying have:

• A convenient and easy-to-use seat belt
• A sensor to stop the chair before it hits an obstruction on the stair
• End caps on the rails to prevent the chair from sliding off them
• Good safety ratings

Also, check to make sure that the installers have references regarding their work, as well as experience installing the type of chairlift you order.
Comfort Features
Stairlifts don’t have to be comfortable, but they should be. Look for:

• Wide, well-padded ergonomically correct seat
• Adjustable footrest/platform and seat
• A comfortable backrest
• Intuitive, easy-to-use controls

In addition, consider the size of the stairlift. It should be designed so that it allows plenty of room for passage when it’s folded up and out of the way. Finally, you’ll find that the hardware and seat covers stairlifts are available in multiple colors and styles so you can choose one that fits your décor and design tastes.

Outdoor Stairlifts Give You Back Your Freedom

While stairlifts for the home are growing more common as the population ages, it’s still unusual for people to consider outdoor stairlifts when they think about mobility and accessibility. In fact, many homes need a stairlift outdoors at least as much as they do indoors. For the homeowner who is used to getting around the yard and tending the garden, a flight of stairs can be a frustrating barrier to activities that they used to love.
Sturdy and Durable
Outdoor stairlifts are essentially constructed the same as the chairlifts you’ll see rising from a foyer to an upstairs hallway indoors, but they’re constructed of sturdier materials, and often reinforced with protective, waterproof or weatherproof covers. The chair itself is most often made of hard plastic with marine vinyl covers rather than the fabric covers typically used on indoor stairlifts.
Useful in Many Situations
Consider the many places that outdoor chairlifts can help restore a person’s freedom and ability to get around without assistance. Many homes have stairs that rise from the street level or garage to the front door. Homeowners who have invested in putting in a back deck or patio leading into their gardens will recover their ability to get around in their yards and leave their decks. Outdoor chair lifts are also a good choice to assist someone who is mobility impaired into a hot tub, swimming pool or even a lake.
No Need for Special Wiring
Most stairlifts plug directly into a standard plug socket, so there’s no need for complicated wiring. If you have outdoor sockets for lighting or other electrical uses, it’s an easy and inexpensive matter to have a line run for your chairlift as well.
Available for Straight or Curved Stairs
Outdoor stairlifts come in the same configurations as indoor stairlifts, and will fit both straight stairs and curved stairs. Outdoor lifts, however, are generally made of more durable materials and have weather-resistant features, such as special coatings, sealed carriage cover and more sensitive remote control indicators.
Don’t fall for anyone who tells you that indoor and outdoor stairlifts are essentially the same. While they share the same basic structure and form, there are some key differences between chairlifts designed for outdoor use and stair lifts designed for inside staircases. Before you invest in an outdoor stairlift, take the time to do some research and make sure you’re getting the best.

How Are Stairlifts Installed?

Stairlifts make it possible for thousands of older people to remain in their homes rather than moving to a place without stairs or an assisted living facility. If you’re one of the tens of thousands of older adults or mobility-impaired adults in the UK, you may have considered installing a stairlift to make your home more comfortable, you may be hesitant about having your walls torn up or your staircase made unusable. This information about how chairlifts and stairlifts are installed can set your concerns at ease and may help you make up your mind about whether a stairlift is a good option for your home.
Attached to the Stairs Not the Wall
One of the biggest concerns and misunderstandings people have about chairlifts is the assumption that they ride up and down on a track attached to the wall. Many people ask if they’ll have to redo the paint or wallpaper in the stairwell after installing a chair lift, for example. Others make the assumption that their walls aren’t strong enough to support a chairlift. They don’t have to worry.
Stairlift rails, in fact, attach to the stair risers, about 3-6 inches from the wall. There’s no stress on the wall at all. And because of that, professional chair lift installers estimate that they can install a chairlift on up to 95% of the staircases they’re called upon to survey.
Stair Surface Not a Problem
Worried about your carpeted stairs? Since the rails for chairlifts are lifted off the surface of the floor, the lift won’t damage the surface of your stairs. Stairlifts can be installed on wood or carpeted stairs, and with the appropriate hardware, on concrete, tile or even marble.
Minimal Obstruction
Chairlifts are designed to be as minimally obstructive as possible. That starts with low profile rails or tracks to place the chair as close to the edge of the stair as possible, to folding arms and seat to get the chair out of the way when it’s not in use.
Access to Power
The biggest concern when installing stairlifts is the accessibility of electrical power. While most chairlifts are battery-powered, there should be an electrical outlet within 3-5 feet of one end of the stairlift or the other in order for the battery to be plugged in for a recharge.
Why leave the home you love because you can’t comfortably navigate the stairs any longer? Don’t give up your emotional investment in your home. Take a look at how stairlifts can make your home comfortable, safe and accessible again.

Types of Stairlifts for Your Home

Do you find it more and more difficult to negotiate the stairs in your home? Do you worry about falling on the stairs because of balance, pain or mobility issues? A stairlift may be the solution for you. Just as you’ve seen on television, stairlifts allow you to ride up and down the stairs comfortably and safely. Not sure whether stair lifts are right for you? Here’s a quick overview of the different types of stairlifts available for your home.
Straight Stairlifts
If your staircase is one straight shot from top to bottom, a straight stairlift can give you back access to your whole home. Straight stairlifts are the easiest to install because there’s no need to figure out complicated angles and curves. In fact, stairlift installers can often arrange next-day installation once you’ve agreed to a quote.
In addition, because of its simplicity, straight chairlifts are often the least expensive models and styles, though there may be options available that make them slightly more expensive. Among the options you might consider are chairlifts that include a sit/stand platform so that you can sit or stand when being transported up and down the stairs.
Curved Stairlifts
Staircases that curve or go around corners require a specialized setup that fits the curve of the stairs precisely. Depending on the manufacturer, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to have stairlifts fabricated and installed. Because of this, along with differences in quality, you should always check around to find out what’s standard in terms of price and timing.
Outdoor Stairlifts
There are also stairlifts designed specifically to be installed on outside staircases. Just like the standard chairlifts, they will be fitted to the stairs, not to a wall, and they’re available in straight and curved designs. The biggest difference is that they are made with sturdier materials, and may have a waterproof cover to protect them from rain and snow.
Options to Look For
Whether you choose a straight or curved stairlift, there are some common options you should look for in a high quality chairlift. They include:

• Two handsets so that you can call the chairlift from the top or bottom of the stairs
• Slim lines to reduce any obstruction of the stairway for other people
• High quality construction
• Secure safety belt
• Swivel seat for easy access
• Easy to use controls

Learn more about stairlifts and how they can make your life easier by contacting a professional installer. Make your life easier starting today.

Benefits of Stairlifts

You’ve probably seen the ads for stairlifts on television, but have you ever considered how much of a difference one could make in your life? Stairlifts offer many benefits for older adults and those who have mobility issues, but many people don’t realize the many benefits of having chairlifts installed until after they’ve done so. The benefits that customers most often recount are not necessarily those that the companies selling stair lifts use as selling points. Here are the major benefits you’ll enjoy when you install a stairlift.
Get Your Whole House Back
Do you dread going back upstairs after you get down to the main floor in the morning? Many older adults can negotiate stairs but are nervous doing so. Others who struggle with joint pain and arthritis can get up and down the stairs, but only manage the feat with a great deal of pain. For many who live in a 2-story home, the solution is to minimize trips up and down the stairs. In the worst case scenario, they move their bedroom to the main floor and don’t go upstairs at all. More often, they make simply make sure they have everything they’ll need before they negotiate the stairs for the day because once they make it to the main floor, they’re not going back up the stairs until bedtime. Chairlifts take the pain, fear and effort out of climbing the stairs and give you back your whole house.
Stop Worrying About Your Parents
Do you worry about your mom or dad falling on the stairs when they’re alone at home? Balance often becomes an issue for older adults, and people are more likely to suffer a loss of balance when negotiating stairs than when walking across a floor. A stairlift can relieve your worries by keeping your parent safe on the stairs.
Stay in Your Home
Many adults face the difficult decision of whether to remain in their homes or give them up to move to a more accessible environment – a smaller apartment or a one-level home, for example. In some cases, minimizing trips up and down the stairs just isn’t a practical solution – when the only bathroom is at the top of that steep flight, for example. Chairlifts provide access to the second floor, and make it possible to remain in the family home.
This is, of course, the biggest benefit of stairlifts because it carries with it a host of associated benefits, including better health, better quality of life and less expense than an assisted-living option outside the home.