Many older adults lose mobility, but loss of mobility can also result from injury, illness, poor eyesight, and several other reasons. This is why a move towards assisted living may be necessary for some. Stair lifts offer the perfect feature for your home if mobility has become a problem and you are striving to maintain independence.
Once you’ve decided to add a stair lift to your home, it’s important to determine whether or not your home can actually support this type of modification. And a lot will come down to the type of life you require. Here’s a quick breakdown of your options.
Outdoor Stair Lift
Outdoor lifts are designed to be fully functional and safe even in poor weather conditions. The electronics and rechargeable batteries are well protected from rain and wind.
Water-repellent surfaces and corrosion protection help to extend the life of your lift for as long as possible. A customized outdoor stair lift has even more features than an indoor model, so it stands to reason that it doesn’t come at a budget price.
Straight Stair Lifts
If you have a straight staircase of about 12-14 steps with no landings or curves, you can easily install a stair lift that won’t break your budget. A straight stair lift doesn’t need much customization, and most reputable manufacturers can have it fitted in a day or two.
Standing Stair Lifts
A standing (or perch) stair lift doesn’t have a seat. Instead it has a small platform or “perch” at standing height. You can rest in a standing position as you move up and down the stairs. It also has armrests at standing height, for extra balance and safety.
Curved Stair Lifts
A curved stairlift is manufactured to fit your unique staircase curves and landings. You get to choose whichever side of the staircase you prefer to have your lift installed, and they’re generally powered by a battery that is recharged from a basic 110v outlet.