In some cases, stairs can turn out to be unsafe and hard to navigate, specifically at the time, you are having mobility issues, whether temporary and permanent. However, you should not confine yourself to one floor of a home due to a disability or mobility issues.
In this case, you don’t need to move to another home, instead make use of intelligent mobility solutions and a stairlift is a good solution, yet a tricky choice. The reason behind it is that buying a stairlift is not similar to buying any other regular household item because of its cost. Moreover, there are several alternatives accessible and you need to know what is an appropriate choice for you.
This is the reason; the article intends to provide some straightforward steps regarding choosing the best stair lift to continue your mobility in your home. Read on and find out how to choose a stair lift.
Types of Lifts
In this case, you will locate two basic types of stair lifts:
- Straight Stair Lift
- Curved Stair Lift
The design of your staircase will work in a way to decide on the type of stairlift you need.
Straight Stair Lift
In this case, you will find a stairlift that will travel in a straight line, and its price varies somewhere in the range of $3,000 and $5,000.
Curved Stair Lift
In this case, you will find significantly more intricate and will be able to travel around corners, bends and changes in direction. Therefore, stair lifts in this category are likewise considerably more costly, normally accessible somewhere in the range of $10,000 and $15,000. However, the complexity can increase the price even more.
On the other hand, certain companies are offering weatherproof lifts for outdoor steps in the form of smart mobility solutions. Moreover, there are standing stair lifts (also recognized as perch lifts) intended for the individuals who go through difficulty bending their knees.
You additionally need to be aware of the fact that all stair lifts mount to the stair treads, not to the wall; consequently, they are strong and can be set up in practically any home.
Physique
With regards to picking a stair lift for your home, you have to consider yourself or the individual utilizing the stair lift. As a result, you need to decide on the stair lift that is comfortable for you to sit in and suits your body well. In this case, your weight and height are significant aspects to consider at the time of choosing a stair lift. In this case, the recommended way is to invest in a stair lift that has modifiable parts, for example, the arms of the seat.
Know Your Stairs
In the event that your stairs are a single trip of straight stairs, in this case, you can make use of a straight stair lift. In the case of other configurations, you will need a curved stair lift. In some cases, people set up two straight stair lifts at the time there is an intermediate landing, and afterward, they move to the next unit; however, this is definitely not an intelligent mobility solution since you put yourself on the risk of falling during the transfer.
Design
The chair that glides up and down a rail is the most well-known stairlift design. There are likewise specific lifts intended for wheelchairs and “perching” models having tall, slim seats intended for users with knee issues or slim staircases.
There are curved and straight designs within each group. However, you must be aware of the fact that the curve models are increasingly costly; however, it can be exclusively fit around spiral staircases or middle landings.
Take the Significant Features into Account
Numerous stairlift companies provide a variety of features that possibly will come as normal with your picked unit or can be obtained as additional items. Below, you will find some of the features you may want:
Swivel Seat:
The feature offers the easiest alternative to get on and off a straight lift.
Harness:
As a standard rule, there is a seat belt available in stair lifts, however, a harness may be required for extra support and care.
Flip-Up Rail:
In case you have a door or high-traffic area near the base of the stairlift, an addition of a flip-up rail can help with defeating the issue.
Diagnostic Display:
The feature is useful to get exact information regarding the issue in the unit, as Diagnostic Display shows an error code. Besides picking your desired features, you additionally need to ensure you locate a lift that fits. Focus on specifications, for example, weight, capacity and seat width. Moreover, test a few units in a showroom to observe which models are generally comfortable for you.
