Let a Stair Lift Do the Climbing

Climbing the stairs is frequently difficult and sometimes impossible for those who are afflicted by arthritis and other mobility related problems. It is easy to hurt yourself on the stairs and falls are the leading cause of hospitalization among those who are over the age of sixty-five. A stair lift is one of several devices that can be easily installed to most staircases and will prevent accidents on the stairs.

A stair lift is a type of mobility aid that is used to carry a person up and down the stairs. Usually a chair is used, but sometimes a small platform is used to carry to transport the person between floors. The chair lift is generally the best bet, because it is much safer, but the platform lift is used by people who cannot bend their knees enough to sit down.

Installing a stair lift is generally very easy if you have a straight stairway. They can usually be shipped and installed in less than a week. While many people do the installation on their own, it is important to follow all of the steps, so if you don't feel comfortable doing it, don't do it. Professional installers are available and in addition to installing the lift, they will provide in home instructions about how to use it.

Installing the stair lift is the first step in preventing accidents, but you still must be careful when using the lift. Always remain seated when the lift is moving and keep the stairs free from obstacles. The lift is designed to detect obstacles on the stairs, so it will stop before it damages you or the unit, but there is no need to take any risks.