Stairlifts.

Stair lifts offer a simple and safe way of travelling from one floor to another. The investment can be for purchasing be from £1395-£4,500, which is possibly cheaper than the costs of selling/purchasing another property. Another alternative to rent a stair lift.

There is however, a wide choice of different types, of which the main two would be either ’straight stair lift’ or ‘curved stairlift’. The straight stairlift is used for stairs that are in effect; straight and therefore doing not require travelling around a ‘bend’. The curved stairlift is designed to travel around bends enabling various types of stairs to be traversed.

There are also several manufacturers of stairlifts, which offer different designs and options.

Consequently, with a wide selection of styles, designs and manufacturers, it is vital to have some basic knowledge before entering into the selection process of what you may require and from whom you should purchase it.

How to choose the right stairlift.

If you have access to the internet, you will be able to view several suppliers’ websites.

Consider whether each company offers a wide choice of products and makes, enabling you to choose the best product for your needs.

Consider whether the company offers a warranty that covers a long a period as possible, preferably 3 years for new stair lifts.

Consider whether the company operates within your locality, which is likely to provide you with a more personal service, and fast response when required.

Consider whether the company is ’small enough to care’ but big enough to deliver. Family companies often provide that added ‘personal service’.

Consider whether the company staffs has extensive experience in the ’stair lift’ business, as some salesmen may have limited experience, and recommend the wrong solution.

Consider that when choosing your stair lift, consider if the product or make of stair lift will be the right stair lift for your needs, not just now, but also in future.

Confirm that the potential supplier offers a ‘FREE’ home visit, with no strings attached and offers a good choice of stairlifts.

In preparation for your Home Visit.

Having reviewed several suppliers, and their brochures identifying possible solutions for you.

Request several testimonies, with the option to call any one of the previous customers, if necessary.

Discuss your need with any friends that may have purchased a stairlift, asking for their advice and opinion.

List any concerns or issues that worry you, for the engineer to address during his visit.

If necessary, invite a friend to be with you during the engineer’s visit, to provide support and conformation of your choice.

During the Home Visit

Let the visiting engineer know of your choice and preferences.

Explain any concerns that you may have to him. An experienced engineer will listen carefully and point to a solution.

Listen carefully to the engineer’s recommendations, which should guide you through the selection process smoothly and help with identifying the best solution for your need.

Ensure that a written quotation is provided during the survey for your choice of stair lift that also includes the warranty details.

Ensure that the quotation includes all items and work, required for completion. Be wary of ‘additions’ later such as ‘additional wiring’ etc.

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The demand for portable mobility products is rapidly increasing due to several factors:

1) People are living longer and the average age in most of the world is increasing. According to a recent study by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social affairs, “In most parts of the world, the 80 and over age group is growing faster than any other, and is expected to continue as the fastest growing segment of the population for at least the next 50 years.”

2) Obesity is on the rise. Two thirds of Americans (60 million people) are overweight or obese, some 3.8 million weigh over 300 lbs.

3) A study recently conducted by several professors at Ohio State University and Colorado State University concluded, “There is undeniably a link between obesity and injury risk in adults, efforts to promote optimal body weight may reduce not only the risk of chronic diseases, but also the risk of unintentional injuries.”

4) According to the U.S Census Bureau, 54 million people in the U.S. are classified as disabled. The United Nations estimates there are 650 million people in the world that are disabled.

With an ever increasing percentage of the world’s population facing disability as either an eventual outcome or a current limitation, the handicapped look toward modern innovation to formulate solutions to accessibility. These solutions often come in the form of rehabilitation (rehab), outpatient care, wheelchairs, scooters, and a want for a method to navigate the endless flights of stairs that haunt the society that we all live in. Those with residences which include stairs to access a second story or the basement are also faced with the high cost of installing expensive stair lift equipment, a residential elevator or even worse, purchasing a new single story home.

As real estate becomes more and more expensive, homes are being built up and down as opposed to single story making the possibility of transitioning to a single floor layout not always plausible. Additionally, installing an expensive stairlift inside a home, only provides a solution for that particular stairwell and does nothing for the patient/disabled person, once they leave their home.

Despite becoming disabled, a vast majority of the disabled do not want to sit idly by waiting for their lives to transpire with them on the sidelines. The desire to continue their daily activities, and fulfill many of their life’s ambitions continues on. Many want to travel the world, where ADA compliance and accessibility often go completely unaddressed. Considering all the stairs that exist in Europe, few hotels or tourist sites offer accessibility options for the disabled. Perhaps justifiably for officials, disabled accessibility for most European sites would be very difficult, if not impossible, to implement to much of a degree in light of the buildings and entire infrastructure being built thousands of years ago without much regard for those that were physically unable to climb the narrow stairways.

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Millions of people in the United States have mobility problems that restrict them from easily accessing staircases. Straight stairlifts are ideal devices to help such individuals negotiate straight stairways. When buying these equipments, it is important to choose the most suitable straight stairlift system catering to individual requirements.

A range of stair chair lifts with great utility features are available in the market and users can choose the ones appropriate to their houses. Besides passengers, straight stair lifts can carry heavy loads between floors.

Space saving stairlift models are available in the market for outdoor or indoor applications such as B.07 straight stair chair, Step saver straight chair, Citia stair lift, Flow stair lift, Electra-Ride LT, Electra-Ride Elite, StairGlide stair lift, Electra-Ride II and outdoor Electra-Ride Elite. Most standing and sitting stairlift models work wonderfully on staircases.

You have to be cautious when choosing chair lifts since these are devices that move between floors and safety is therefore a major concern. Choose the most suitable stairlift that comes with safety features such as seat belt and lockable option for extra security. Other utility features to look for are swivel seat, fold-up seat and footrest, smooth start/stop action, remote call stations and charging points. Straight stairlifts are available in a variety of color choices to fit your home or workplace décor. When buying a stair chair lift, it is also important to take account of the user’s weight. Also make sure that the length of the track you select is a perfect fit for your stair and that the controls can be easily operated by the user.

Most of the stair lifts are fitted with electronic and mechanical braking system to stop immediately whenever necessary. These have built-in sensors, which automatically stop its ride whenever they sense obstacles on the path. Chair lifts operate both with AC electricity and battery, the latter option being the better one since the devices powered by battery can function even during power outages.

Today, you can choose from stairway lifts that feature silent operation; these are designed to work on narrow, as well as steep staircases. These safe-to-use stair chair lifts are easy to install on staircases that don’t have any curves or bends.

Manufacturers and dealers can recommend the stair lift most suitable for your purposes. Take care to buy these products from reputable manufacturers who provide stairway lifts that have warranty.

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