People who are mobility challenged, but still able to walk often struggle when it comes time to use the stairs. As a result, the stairs are often avoided or only accessed when another person is there to help. Some people even go so far as selling their home and moving to a facility that does not have stairs or has an elevator. This solution is not always practical though and can greatly affect your independence. A stair lift is one type of device that can be used to help make it safe to use the stairs again.

A stair lift is a medical device that is used to carry a person up and down the stairs. It is a tracked system and in some ways similar to an escalator. In most settings a metal track is securely bolted directly to the steps. A chair or small platform is then sent up and down the track. Most use a chair, which is why you often hear people call them stair chairs.

The stair lifts that use a platform are mostly for individuals who have severe knee problems that make it impossible or very painful to sit. These types of stair lifts are called perch lifts and require a lot more balance then a regular stair chair.

When deciding on which model stair lift to get, the weight capacity is very important. Often the more weight a stair lift can support directly affects the length of stairs that it can ascend. For instance some stair lifts can support 300 pounds over distances of 18 feet, but only 250 pounds over distances of 32 feet. You will need to have detailed measurements before you order your stair lift and most dealers can walk you through the steps, but it is a good idea to have a general feel for how long your staircase is and the weight of the rider.

When considering the weight capacity of a stair lift, it is a good idea to always allow for any expected weight growth. Usually for every 100 pounds, you will want to add an extra 20 pounds to your clothed weight. This ensures that the device will never be overloaded and that you can use it to carry personal belongings with you. For instance if you weigh 200 pounds, you would want to find a stair lift that can at least support 240 pounds.

The width of the stair case is also important to consider when you are deciding on a stair lift. They usually do not take up too much space, but if your staircase is too narrow, you might have to install the track onto the wall, which greatly increases the cost. In most cases though, a stair chair with a folding seat is small enough to fit on even narrow stairs. The footrest of these models also folds up, so they have a really small foot print.

A stair lift is a very good way to keep you or someone you care about safe. They can easily be operated with only a finger and can be configured for left hand or right hand use.

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Many times, when it becomes difficult to use the stairs, the easiest solution appears to be to avoid those areas of your home that require stair access. While this might seem like the best way, it in many instances means that the size of your home is dramatically reduced. The risk though of using the stairs if you can not do so safely are great though and so this might seem like a fair trade. In reality a stair lift can be installed easily and inexpensively in most cases, which will ensure that you are able to use all areas of your home.

Stair lifts are a special type of home mobility equipment that is used to carry an individual up and down the stairs. They usually feature a chair that is attached to an aluminum track, but there are a few models which allow the user to stand as they go up and down the lift. These standing stair lifts are often called perch lifts because of the way they are used and are usually reserved for individuals who can not sit without pain. A chaired stair lift is much more common.

Most modern stair lifts can easily and quickly be installed to a straight staircase. Quality straight stair lifts, like those made by AmeriGlide, are engineered to make the installation process as simple as possible. The installation can usually be done with normal tools in a few hours, but most dealers also have installation teams which can come to your home and install the lift if you do not feel comfortable doing it yourself. A straight stair lift will generally be installed directly to the stairs, but in some instances where space is at a premium, they can be attached to the wall. It is far more common for the rail system to be attached to the stairs, however, and the installation can usually be done in an afternoon.

While a straight stair lift can be quickly and easily installed, a stair lift for a curved stair case is very complicated to install. In cases where you must buy a curved stair lift expect to spend at least $10,000 more than you would on a straight stair case. In addition to being much more expensive, a curved stair lift also takes around 6 to 8 weeks to be built and installed, so it is not a quick or practical solution. The other major disadvantage of a curved stair lift is that they can rarely be used in another home. The rail system of a curved stair lift is custom built and so will probably not fit another stair case, unless the staircase has exactly the same measurements. If you have an ‘L’ shaped stair case, then it is possible to install 2 straight stair lifts, instead of one curved stair lift and this can save a considerable amount of money. Many people, who are unable to install straight stair lifts, instead invest in a residential elevator, which proves to be much more practical and is often around the same price as a curved stair lift would be.

Stair lifts are very important devices that can allow people to retain their mobility and independence, while utilizing all areas of their home. A straight stair lift is very inexpensive and provides a very important service for many who are mobility challenged.

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Many people in the United States of America and across the world use stair lifts because of the many benefits they offer. Falling down the stairs is a very common type of accident and many times will result in a serious injury. The risk of a fall is not something that you need live with and by installing a stair lift, you can easily reduce this risk.

Stair lifts are a type of lifting aid that is often found in the home and also in commercial settings. Generally these lifts are installed easily onto most straight stairways, but people with curved stairways might not be so lucky. Usually a curved stair lift requires professional installation and is incredibly expensive.

People that have straight stairways will be able to easily install a lift and most times the homeowner is actually able to do the installation on their own. Teams of professional installers are available though, so if you are not comfortable doing the installation on your own, you can inexpensively have a straight staircase lift installed.

Before ordering or installing a stairway lift, it is important to get an accurate measurement of the stairs. Again as with the installation process, there are professional stairway measurement teams available, but it is something that most people do on their own.

You will need to measure the total length of the stairway and will also need to take the measurement of an individual step. The dealer will use the measurement of the step to compare and check your other measurements. It is best to have a helper during the measurement stage, because it is very important to make certain that the measuring tape does not sag. Usually the dealer can walk you through these measurements, but you can also download this printable measurement guide (pdf), which includes instructions, pictures, and a space to fill in the measurements of the staircase. 

After you have a set of accurate measurements, the track of the stairway lift will be cut by the dealer and shipped to your house. Often this takes only a day or two and so from the time you order to the time the lift is installed is usually less than a week. Since they use your measurements to cut the track, obtaining accurate measurements are important and it is a good idea to double check your measurements before submitting them.

To install the lift, the metal track will first be attached to the stairs. Once the track is securely bolted onto the stairs and has been leveled, the car is attached to the track. The car is the part of the lift that does all the work and is sent up and down the track carrying the rider. Most use a chair that is attached to the car and carries a single seated occupant.

A well made stair lift from a reputable dealer will last for many years and most are backed by a five to ten year warranty. Using a stair lift is a surefire way to eradicate the risk of a fall and promote overall safety.

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