Choosing a stair lift greatly depends on what the needs of the individual who will be using it are. There are many different brands and types out there, so that is why we decided to list some of the important things to consider when shopping for stairlifts for seniors and the elderly.
While most would think that stair lifts would only be suitable for someone with a chronic health condition, even the healthiest and most active of seniors can be prone to getting injured on the stairs. Often times carrying bulky items such as a laundry basket can increase the likelihood of a staircase related accident.
If you are a senior citizen considering purchasing a stair chair lift, or if you are researching stair lifts for an elderly family member, it is very important that you take some of these factors into consideration:
How Will it Be Used? Seniors are often able to go up and down the stairs without assistance, however a stair chair lift is a nice thing to have for transporting bulky items like clothing, boxes, shopping bags or even grocery items. If you intend to use the stair lift for things like this, it is useful to have one that can be remote controlled or has storage space.
How Comfortable Are You With Technology? Some lifts have many different options, but with these options come more buttons and learning how to use these features. While many seniors are very good with these things, some may prefer something very simple to use where you simply just push one button to make the chair go up and down. Often times when talking to the elderly where their tech savvy children did the shopping they will say “this is too complicated” or “I don’t need all that!” Make sure whatever you choose will be something they find easy to use.
What Safety Features Are Necessary? If a senior lives alone, then chances are that most standard safety features will be fine. However, if they live with others or have frequent guests, especially children, then you will want to make sure that the chair can not be misused or accidentally set to go on and off.
Electric or Battery Operated?: Choosing between battery and electric options is often a matter of personal choice. One may like electric lifts because they do not need to charge the battery. However, it will not work in the event of a power outage which could cause problems for some. Battery operated lifts can usually work just fine should the power go out, but you will need to remember to charge it! Some units make it very easy to charge the batteries – others can be complicated. If choosing a battery operated model, make sure you understand how the battery will be charged and ensure that the person who is using it will be able to easily do it themselves.
Taking these things into consideration can help ensure that the mobility device you choose is right for your individual needs. For more information on choosing a stairlift, some of these articles on our site may be useful for you: