There are a number of options available to make using a stair lift easier. An occupational therapist or an impartial sales adviser will be able to specify the ones that are suitable for the users needs.

The most obvious option is to have a swivel seat stairlift. This means that you can swivel the chair when you reach the top of the stairs, so that you are facing away from the staircase when you get off. This makes it much easier and safer to get on and off the lift. The stairlift chair then acts as a barrier so that if you were to lose balance you could not fall down the stairs. A swivel seat is a standard option on most stairlifts these days, so you shouldn’t have to pay extra. If possible try and visit a showroom to compare the different stairlifts available.

Powered swivel seats are also available if you are unable to turn the seat yourself. This will add to the cost quite significantly and the quality can vary according to the manufacturer. As always seek independent advice and get prices from more than one source. If a powered swivel isn’t necessary at the moment but could be useful in the future make sure the seat can be adapted.

A recent development is the option of a two-way powered swivel. This enables the user to get off the seat in the most convenient position at the top and bottom of the stairs. This is a costly option and isn’t necessary for most people, however it can be of great use in certain circumstances. At the time of going to press only one of the manufacturers is able to provide this option.

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There are many factors that can make it difficult or even impossible to safely climb the stairs. Often it is a medical disease, such as osteoarthritis, that makes it hard to safely use the stairs, but cognitive disorders can also decrease ones sense of balance and increase the risk of a fall on the stairs. To help counter the risk of falls, many people choose to install a personal elevator or a stair lift.

Stair lifts are medical devices that are installed onto a staircase and are used to carry a person up and down the stairs. Most use a metal track, which is attached to the stairs, and then send a chair or small platform up and down the track. In some cases, such as on curved stairways, the track will be installed onto the wall instead of on the steps.

A residential elevator is very similar to the type of elevator that you might find in an office building, but they are usually a little smaller. They are excellent for those that use wheelchairs and can be installed into a wood framed shaft. Usually a hallway closet will provide enough room for a residential elevator to be installed.

Residential elevators and stairway lifts both safely transport people between floors, but a residential elevator will usually allow for more than one person to be transported at a time. An elevator can also be used to transport a person in a wheelchair or mobility scooter, but generally a stair lift will not be able to do this. While they offer the same basic service, the cost of the different devices can vary.

If you have a straight staircase, then the cost of a stair lift will be much less expensive than an elevator. The installation of a straight stairway lift is also usually something that can be done by the homeowner, but even if you decide to pay for a professional installation service, it is still much less expensive than an elevator. Also there is little construction required to install a straight stairway lift and you will not have to make any major or permanent changes to your home.

While a straight stairway lift is considerably less expensive than a personal elevator would be, if you have a curved staircase then you are probably better off installing an elevator. Curved stairway lifts cost about as much as an elevator would, because they must be custom built and installed. Since the cost is about the same, you should compare the overall benefit you will receive, and an elevator will win the comparison hands down. An elevator is able to transport more than one person, people in wheelchairs, and household goods, so it is a much more convenient than a stairway lift.

In addition to costing more, a curved stair lift also has very little resale value. This is because it is custom built to fit a specific staircase and will only work on identical staircases. This means once you decide to stop using it, the lift will only be worth a tiny fraction of what you paid for it. An elevator on the other hand will actually add value to the home, so when you decide to sell the home, you will recoup much of the cost of the elevator and have a nice extra feature that sets your home apart from the rest.

If you have a straight stairway, then you will be able to save a lot of money by installing a straight stairway lift instead of an elevator. Those that have a curved staircase though, will end up being much better served, both in the long and short run, by installing an elevator.

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