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.