Transfer to the ground floor could be the first thing that comes to mind, but is not as simple as it sounds. You’ll have to make major reforms in the house, which modifies one of the rooms in a bedroom or adding a room. You also need to create a bathroom. All this involves a lot of work and expenses.

Home ladders are not cheap, but comparable to the costs involved in the movement from below, are a more economical solution. Also the installation of a stairlift is not so much a problem as you might think. Companies selling ladder usually take care of the entire installation, all you need do is measure your stairs. And for an additional fee, most retailers stairlift can also make measurements.

Types of home lifts

You can get a proper stairlift, regardless of what type of stairs you have. If you have a standard straight staircase, then you are in luck because straight stairs are the most common and least expensive. If you have curved staircase, which will take a turn stairlift. Ladder may be electrical or battery.

Modern stair lift companies offer a variety of stair lifts, you can get:

- Standard straight lifts

- Curved lifts

- Through the floor lifts (also good for wheelchairs)

- Lifts designed wells

Home ladders are manufactured by companies that make equipment for mobility. Are more reliable and durable lifts by Stannah, Acorn, Bruno and Ameriglide.

Choosing a stairlift that is right for your home

There are two main types of lifts - lifts with one sitting and wheelchair lifts. Session lifts are cheaper, and in general are a good option for older people. However, if you are disabled and you believe that your condition can progress to the point that needs a wheelchair, it is better to install an elevator for wheelchairs, as well as through a floor lift, from the beginning.

Lifts operating mode is also important. Most of the machines are operated by the person who gets up, however, some elevators may be operated by another person as his nurse. If you think you might need this option, the installation from the beginning will save a lot.

Check if the sit if convenient for you, most companies allow you to customize the seating lift home. Can be adjusted so that they feel firm, while lifted. Is also a wide variety of available - you can get a standard, removable or folding seat. For your safety belt one sitting can also be included.

What direction do you prefer to face when the lift is in operation? Models home usually face lifts aside. However, if you prefer to face forward, you can find models that suit you. Looking forward is a good option for people with stiff knees - that allows more space.

Used national stairlift is an option to save

Home elevators are expensive. Even the simplest model will cost at least $ 2000. However, you can find many pre-owned home elevators. It often happens that the disability is temporary, and after recovery, there is a need to lift more. Most companies that sell brand new lifts also help people in selling their used ladder.

Stairlift A home can be a great addition to your home, providing security and comfort for the elderly and the disabled. With so many options, you can surely find a lift that will suit your purposes.

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The reasons why they are preferred by the majority is because of ease of installation and price. Residential elevators and platform lifts start at around 10k to 16k. The price of a home stair lift will depend on its type. A straight type will range in price from 2.5k - 4k, whereas a curved model is custom made and will cost anything between 5k to 20k. The complexity of the installation ultimately dictates the cost of installing a curved lift. The cost is impossible to know before the supplier carries out an onsite inspection.

Drive Type

There are four types of drive types. However, the vast majority of new stair lifts use the rack and pinion system.

Most cable drive systems use a strong steel cable - aircraft cable is the norm. The main disadvantage of this type of drive system is that the ride can be less than perfectly smooth. However, technology has moved on and those companies that still use this drive system say that the ride is as smooth as any other type. Summit and Ameriglide stair lifts both use this drive type.

Chain drive systems are used only for heavy duty models. They are loud and not really used in residential stair lifts.

The screw drive uses a lifting mechanism with a screw driven actuator. This is powered by a rechargeable battery. Again, this type is not used in home models.

The rack and pinion drive system is by far the most popular type for residential stair lifts. Rack and pinion systems - meaning gear and teeth - used to have to require regular cleaning and replacement of gear oil. However today’s home units have sealed drive systems that require no maintenance at all.

The Track or Rail

This is the base along which the carriage travels. The track is always fitted to the stairs and never to the wall. This means that a track can be fitted to either side of the stairs. Tracks used in straight stair lifts are made of extruded aluminum whereas curved ones usually use a mixture of both steel and aluminum.

Power

With early designs the power source was AC mains. But today, most stair chair lifts are powered by DC 12 volt rechargeable batteries. Batteries are preferred because a trailing cable is used with AC mains powered stairlifts. The cable is reeled out and reeled back in each and every time the chair travels up and down the stairway, which causes wear and tear. Also, battery powered units can still be used during power outages. Some states prohibit the installation of any appliance unless it is installed by a qualified technician.

Swivel Seats

All makes of stair chair lifts offer this option. There are two types; 90 degree and 180 degree swivel seats. A 90 degree swivel seat is mounted on the upstairs side of the chassis and fold in one direction. A 180 degree swivel seat folds in both directions. One manufacturer, Stannah, makes a motorized swivel seat.

Self Diagnosing

Many brands like the Acorn Superglide and the Stannah stair lift have integrated circuit boards that can help diagnose problems with your lift and decrease maintenance costs.

Accessories

All manufacturers offer a mixture of accessories either as standard or optional. What you choose will affect the cost of the stair lift.

Perch stair lifts allow the passenger to remain standing. This is excellent for those who have problems bending at the knee. The Acorn Superglide Perch is one such example.

Just about all home units come with safety belts. Some brands come with retractable lap inertia belts, while others offer 3-point fixed shoulder belts.

Installation

Installation of today’s straight models is quite easy. Many manufacturers and dealers encourage customers to self-install. However, a customer should never self install and the Accessibility Equipment Manufacturer’s Association strongly advises against it.

The installation of a residential lift really can allow someone to regain their home and independence. The chair stair lift that is best for a customer will depend on their requirements and budget.

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With a home stair chair lift system, individuals can move up and down the stairs with more safety and without much effort. These stair lift models feature a motorized chair that is fixed on an aluminum track which ensures comfort and safety while you move up and down the stairs. There are also models which are especially designed for those users who are more comfortable standing than sitting. Home stair lift systems can be installed on almost all models of staircases. Home stair lifts for straight stairways are easier to install, and also less expensive than those meant for curved stairways. Apart from the stair mounting models which occupy more space, home stair chair lift systems are also available in models that can be mounted on the wall.

In normal circumstances a home chair lift system can be loaded up to three hundred pounds. When taking into account the safety features of home stair lift systems, almost all models are provided with armrests and footrests, wireless remote controls, call buttons, obstruction sensors and other features. To overcome the power breakdowns, DC model home stair lifts are also available which are more expensive than the AC models.

Home stair lift systems can be installed even in the exterior stairways of your residence so that you can easily move on to your garden or the doorway. By using home chair lift systems, it is possible up to a certain point to avoid accidents such as falling or slipping down from the staircases in your residence.

With home stair lift systems, mobility impaired individuals have the hope of leading a better life, enjoying more freedom of movement without external help. This in turn boosts their confidence and guarantees a better sense of well-being.

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While a quality distributor has highly trained installation specialists available, the installation of an AmeriGlide stair lift can typically be done by an individual in an afternoon. As with any do it yourself project, it is important to ensure that you read and understand all directions before you begin. Make sure you consult the instructions that come with your specific model, but this guide will serve as a good starting point. In some states a permit is required, so make sure that you have all received and fully displayed any necessary permits before beginning installation. Washington and Connecticut are two states that require special permits for the installation of stair lifts.

There are several things that should be done before you begin your installation, the first of course being reading the installation instructions. If after reading the instructions you are in anyway unsure of your ability to complete the installation, or if you just do not feel comfortable doing it, please contact your dealer so they can arrange a trained technician to help you. Before you begin the installation it is important to ensure that you have all necessary tools. You will need a 5/32 allen wrench, a set of open wrenches (3/8, 7/16, and 9/16), phillips head screwdriver, and an electric drill with an 8 inch 3/8 socket extension. It is also necessary to have a properly grounded 110 volt, 15 amp, outlet (standard in most homes) within 10 feet of the top of the track.

Once you have assembled all the tools, you should inventory the individual stair lift components, familiarizing yourself with them. The stair lift will typically come in three boxes; the seat box, the top 2 feet of track and unit box, and the extra track box. The seat box and the unit box will need to be moved to the top of the stairs. The unit box weighs about 135 pounds and can be a little bulky so use a dolly or have someone help you carry it up the stairs. You can leave these two boxes aside because you will be installing the track first.

It is important to note that if you do not have a wooden stair case, you will need special mounting brackets that are available from your stair lift dealer. Begin by identifying the bottom track section; it has a metal endplate on one end. The track has a series of nuts on either side of the track. Attach the track brackets to the track nuts with the included bolts. You will need to attach one pair of brackets to the bottom step, one pair to the top set, and one pair below and above each track splice. Do not tighten the brackets yet, because they will need a little play in order to position them properly on the stairs. Do not remove the foam packing that is in the track, yet.

Splice bars are used to secure the different pieces of track together, and are located at the end of the track. After you have attached the brackets to the first section of track, use the allen key to loosen the splice bar and slide it halfway out of the track. After the splice bar is halfway out tighten it back up and repeat this process for all splice bars. Carefully slide the upper end of track onto the first section of track and tighten the splice bars to the second section of track. It is important to watch your fingers during this process.

Once the track has been joined slide the brackets until they are flush with the stair case molding or wall. This will ensure that the track is positioned at the proper distance from the wall. Using a small piece of wood or a book, elevate the track about ½ inches to ¾ inches off the ground. Begin screwing the first set of brackets to the first step, stopping halfway through to remove the book/wood, and then continue tightening the brackets. Tighten the remaining brackets onto the stairs using the provided wood screws. The track is designed so that it can be supported completely by the brackets, or it can rest on the steps edges. It is important that it is parallel to the steps though. By tying a string to the top of the track and running it the distance of the stairs, it is possible to check the track. You can make adjustments to the brackets to ensure that it is parallel.

After you have the track secured it is necessary to run the lower call button wire. The lower call button wire attaches to the wall side nut past where the first bracket is attached. Secure the wire to this nut and route it along the top of the track in the wall side channel. When you reach the top of the installed section, tuck the rest of the wire out of the way, because you will finish its installation after the sending unit has been attached.

Since the unit can be heavy and bulky, it is better to have assistance during its installation. Remove the packaging by cutting the box open, and remove the shipping brace that is attached to the unit. Loosen the splice bars at the end of the unit’s track, slide them out halfway, and tighten them back up. Slide the track and unit onto the existing track that is already secured to the stairs. Tighten the splice bars with the allen wrench. Attach track brackets to the side of the top track section and hand tighten.

The AmeriGlide stair lift has a special safety feature that prevents it from moving if it does have enough tension. Sometimes during shipping this safety feature will engage and it is necessary to reset the slack cable sensor. Ensure that the device is not plugged into the wall, and using the manual hand crank supplied with the unit, turn the hand crank clockwise until you hear a click, or the unit begins to move.

At this point the installation is almost done. The next article in this series will cover the rest of the installation procedures.

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Stair lifts, for those of you who dont know, are simply lifts that will take you up the stairs without you having to exert any effort. It is really hard for individuals to lose their mobility and be required to use vertical lifts, but fortunately it is an option so individuals dont have to move into a new home that is only one level. This is especially true for individuals who end up having to use a wheelchair. Wheelchair lifts installed in a home allow individuals the freedom of mobility they are so accustomed to even though it is not the same freedom of mobility they had before.

Growing old is certainly a challenge and having to install stair lifts in your home may seem too much to bear. But, it is reality and you should face it. The following tips will help you find the best stair lift. First, consider whether you need a stair lift or a wheelchair lift. Will more than one individual need to use the lift? How much can you afford to spend? Style and coloring are also important because you want a lift that matches your home. When you keep this in mind you should be able to find an appropriate stair lift without too many problems. If you want some advice then ask friends and family members what stair lifts they have used and which ones they would recommend. Having a little bit of family advice never hurt and it might make you feel better, too.

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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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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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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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Stair lifts are a type of mobility lifting aid, which is used to transport a person upstairs and down. In most cases where the staircase is straight, a stairway lift will only take a few hours to install and is relatively expensive.

Many times you will hear people call these devices stair chairs. This is because a chair is most commonly used to transport the individual up or down the stairs, but in some cases the individual is not physically able to bend their knees enough to use the chair. In these cases it might be better to use a perch lift, which transports the individual on a small platform, called a perch, up and down the stairs. While for medical reasons a perch lift might be a good choice, since the rider will stay standing as they move up the stairs, this type of lift is a little riskier than a stair chair.

Usually the unit that consists of the perch or chair, electric motor, and batteries is referred to as the car. The car is sent up and down the stairs and is attached to a metal track. In most cases, whether perch lift or stair chair, the metal track is secured directly to the steps.

Many of today’s lifts use battery power, but traditional lifts are still quite popular as well. The major advantage of a battery powered lift is that it will continue functioning if the power goes out, but they do cost a little more and have the extra maintenance cost, usually around $60, of replacing the batteries periodically. AC powered lifts are less expensive and will require maintenance, but in the event of a power disruption, an AC lift will cease to function. Both of these types of lifts are still plugged directly into a normal electrical outlet.

To save space it is common for the seat of the stair chair to fold up. Not all lifts have this feature, but if space is an issue, then you would probably want to make certain this feature is available. Sometimes a perch lift is used when space is an issue. This is because a perch lift takes up less space on the stairs, but the extra risks associated with a perch lift, usually outweigh the space benefits.

The chair also usually swivels, but rather than save space, this is a safety feature. The seat swivels away from the stairs, which allows the rider to enter or exit the lift safely and away from the stairway.

If you are trying to increase mobility and reduce the risk of falls, then a stair lift is often the best and most economical way. They are easy to use and quite frequently easy to install, so using one really is usually the best way to keep safe.

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A chair stair lift operates by means of pulling a chair along a rack - usually by a rack and pinion system. They are two types; straight and curved. The price of a curved stair lift is much more expensive than a straight model as it is custom made for a particular staircase. The rack on which it moves is not mounted on the wall, rather it is fixed to the stair treads. This makes installation somewhat straight forward.

However, for someone who is wheelchair bound and cannot lift themselves on to a chair these types of chair lifts are inappropriate. A wheelchair lift is required. There are two types available; vertical wheelchair lifts and inclined wheelchair stair lifts.

Vertical models are really elevators to give the user access to floors. For many domestic homes this is simply not an option, due to cost and space requirements.

Inclined wheelchair stair lifts look more like conventional units, inasmuch as one travels up and down a flight of stairs. However, inclined units are much more problematic to install than a regular one.

Space is always an issue with inclined units. The width of the stairs have to be wide enough to accommodate the platform, which will be a little large than the ‘footprint’ of the wheelchair. Also, the landing area at both the top and bottom of the stairs has to be sufficient to allow the user to get on and off the ramp. Another installation issue is that the rack is wall mounted, therefore the stairs must be hard against a load bearing wall. Both of these limitations make the installation of this type of lift impossible in most domestic homes.

However, if your stairs are wide enough and are against a load bearing wall a wheelchair stair lift might be the answer to your mobility problems.

There are a number of suppliers of wheelchair stair lifts. National Wheel-O-Vator and Stannah Stairiser Wheelchair Stair Lift both make excellent versions for wheelchairs. Both companies products come with the following features: bi-directional safety platform sensors not only provide protection for the user but for others who might be using the stairs; safety barrier arms and access ramps are mechanically locked during travel; the platform can be accessed from both front and side - the side ramps rise to secure the wheelchair when the platform is in motion.

Also both companies’ units can be mounted on straight and curved stairways with both inside (positive) and outside (negative) turns. The platform of the National Wheel-O-Vator is custom made whereas the platform of the Stairiser CR wheelchair stair lift from Stannah comes in a number of sizes that the buyer can choose. Finally, the platform folds up leaving a protrusion of only about 12 inches.

The cost of these specialized lifts is expensive and the price can only be determined after a site inspection. But, if you can afford one and the structure of your stairs can accommodate a wheelchair stair lift, the degree of independence such a stair lift gives you can’t be underestimated.

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