For those elderly, disabled, or handicapped people stair lifts have been a great invention for increasing their feelings of mobility and independence. With an aging baby boomer generation, more and more properties and homes, are being built on one level. That is, without stairs for their occupants to traverse. That being said, not all aging baby boomers are moving into these types of domiciles. Many prefer to stay in the homes have lived in for years, and raised their families in. The majority of these homes, have at least one, or multiple levels of stairs. For these folks, stair lifts our a godsend.
Additionally, they also limit the demands placed on caregivers. Given the short supply of caregivers these days, that can be a very financial advantage. Stair lifts also give those unable to climb stairs, an increased sense of independence. They don't need to rely on someone else to help get them around their own home. Not to mention, stair lifts are available whenever needed, whether it be the middle of the afternoon, or the middle of the night.
Stair lifts are made up of several essential components. A seat, obviously, and some sort of steel guide or rail for moving the seat up or down the steps. There are several different types available, depending on your stair configurations. Curved staircases, will obviously need a mechanism differently, then that of a straight up and down staircase. Earlier versions of stair lifts, only ran out of AC motor. This means, that if the power goes out, stair lifts becomes inoperable. In the case of an emergency, this can be a real hazard. With technological improvements in batter technology, newer stair lifts run on both AC or DC power.
The latest models of stair lifts come equipped with various safety features and several custom options. Some come with sensors, to protect both the equipment, and the rider. If there is more than one person in the house, then it's quite simple to see where there could be problems sharing a stair lifts. If one person takes a chair up, while the other person is still on the lower floor, the person on the lower floor becomes stranded. Newer models have remote mechanisms. A couple of remotes left on each floor, resolve this dilemma.
When purchasing a stair lift, it's important not just to satisfy your own sense of safety, but to also adhere to the regulations for the area in which you live. Safety regulations for stair lifts vary by state to state. Stair lifts can be a rather complicated installation. Not necessarily for the amateur do-it-yourselfer. Therefore, it's good to ask around, and check up on many installers you may be considering.
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