How to Pick the Perfect Chair Lift
Stairs can become challenging as you age or if you’ve suffered an injury to your legs or back. When your muscles weaken, or mobility is limited, the act of climbing stairs can become challenging if not impossible.
For some, there is the option of selling your house and downsizing to a single-level home or moving into a retirement facility, but for others, these are not options. If you are in need of assistance in climbing a stairway in your home, you may want to consider the installation of a stair lift. The stair lift is a cost-effective, quick solution that will provide a wealth of benefits. This message will help you learn how to choose a home stair lift.
How to Choose a Home Stair Lift for Your Home
The first step in how to choose a home stair lift depends on the type of staircase you have. For the straight or single flight of stairs, a straight stair lift will work. If there are any turns or curves in your stairway, you will need a curved stair lift. Your mobility needs will also determine how well a stair lift will work for your specific disability. Once you know which type of lift will work for your home, there are other considerations to make:
- Seat style – The seat on your lift is one of the most important factors to make when choosing a home stair lift. This component is what you will interact with the most. Depending on your needs, you can select a collapsible seat, one with armrests, one with footrests, or a chair that swivels.
- How you fit the chair – How to choose a home stair lift involves making sure you pick one appropriate to your weight and one that you fit comfortably inside. If you fit comfortably in a dining room chair, then chances are the standard chair will work well for you. There are units on the market with adjustable arms to provide extra room if you find this necessary. The best option is to try out the seat in the showroom to ensure it is a good fit for you.
- Choose a good brand – If you choose a stair lift from a national brand company, you will more then likely receive a parts warranty should any repairs become necessary. It may be cheaper to purchase a stair lift as a used product from an individual, but it would be to your advantage and safety to buy from a known retailer who knows and understands these devices and will stand behind the functions of the unit.
- Surroundings affect the stair lift style – How to choose a home stair lift also involves considering your stairs surroundings. On stairs that are less than thirty inches wide, you may not have enough clearance for your knees with a stair lift. Doors at the top of a stairway also pose a problem but can work if you go with a flip-up or zero clearance rail option. These options will keep the stair lift away from your door area.
- Curved stair lifts – Choosing a curved stair lift will allow you to park your chair around a corner when it is at the bottom or top of the stairway. This choice will provide free access to the stairs when you are not using your lift. This design will also make it easier to get off and on your chair as well.
- Available options in stair lifts – There a number of manufacturers of stair lifts in the market. With these designers, there are a number of options for you to choose from, such as a manual or power folding rail, a power swivel seat, or a power-folding footrest. These options will enhance your operations of the stair lift to make it more convenient.
Having a stair lift in your home will provide you with a safer, affordable way of using the stairs. Studies have shown more than ninety percent of seniors prefer to stay in their homes rather than moving into a retirement community when climbing stairs has become too difficult. When you know how to choose a stair lift for your home, you can install one that will help you regain your independence and allow you to live in the home you love.
PA Stairlifts specializes exclusively in stairlifts. Not sure ? Contact us. We provide nothing but the best manufactured stairlifts. Give us a call at 877-257-0546 or get you questions answered here.
