18 Dec 09 Using Stair Lifts to Help Increase Home Safety
Finding a way to improve safety for those who have difficulty on the stairs is something that very important. Those who are over sixty-five represent the group that is at the most at risk for a serious fall on the stairs.
Often the reason that those over sixty-five are at an increased risk of falling on the stairs is as a result of arthritis, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's. These diseases, and those like them, can make an individual unsteady on their steps and is the reason that accidental deaths and hospitalization are so common for this age group. It should be noted though, that falls on the stairs can affect people of all ages and there are many people of every age that can not use the stairs safely. As a result, the stairs are often avoided, but this can lead to also having to avoid a part of your home. A stair lift presents a much safer, better, and more elegant solution to the difficulty of climbing up the stairs.
A stair lift uses a metal track that is typically attached directly to the steps on the staircase, but there are some that are instead attached to the wall. Usually the wall mounted stair lift is reserved for instances where there is limited space on the stairs or the staircase is curved. However, in the vast majority of other cases, the track is attached to the steps. A car moves along the track and it is this car that carries the stair lifts occupant up or down the stairs.
There are several popular models available for straight staircases that can be installed in only a few hours. Much of the stair lift is already assembled, so it is usually only necessary to install the track, install the wiring, and attach the car. Often the homeowner will complete the installation of a straight stair lift on their own, but there are also companies that offer installation services for these lifts. It is a good idea to decide whether you intend to do the installation on your own before you finalize the order. Most dealers can arrange for installation of the lift, but it will be easier and get finished earlier if you tell them when you order the lift.
There are several things that the homeowner should think about, aside from who is going to do the installation, before ordering the lift. It is important to know the weight of the person who the lift is for. If several people will be using it, go off of the weight of the largest individual. The length and width of the staircase are also needed to determine what type of stair lift will work on the stairs. It is a good idea to have a ballpark idea of the to start with, having a fairly accurate idea of the stairs dimensions can make finding the right lift much easier.
People all over the World use stair lifts to help encourage safety and reduce the risk of a fall. This risk reduction is extremely important for promoting safety in the home.
