Tips to Consider When Choosing a Stair Lift

Choosing the proper chair lift is basically a matter of weights, measurements and preferences. You must first identify the type of stairway you have (straight or curved). You’ll then need to measure the width of the stairs, a comfortable seat width for the person who will be using and the weight of the person who will be using it. Then go to a respectable seller/installer to see what your best options are.

You love your home. You've lived there for so many years and made so many memories it’s ridiculous to even think about moving just because of a mobility issue. Especially if it comes to the matter of negotiating stairs.

There are so many great options to provide you with the comfort and security of getting from one floor to another with great ease. However, if you’re just beginning your search, you may have questions on where to begin.

• Your Stairway: Start your search by identifying what type of stairway you have. Is it straight, from one floor to the next, or does it curve along the way? Is there a landing in the middle? For curved stairways with a landing, you could potentially install two straight lifts, but that’s both more expensive and it doubles your chances of falling during the transfer process.

• Measurements: You’ll need to know the length of the rail you’ll be fitting and the weight of the person who will be using the lift. You’ll also need to measure how much seat width the person using the lift needs. You can either accomplish this by having them sit in a dining room chair and measuring if that’s a comfortable width or by going to a chair lift provider and testing different seats.

• Obstacles: You’ll also need to measure the width of the stairway and to see if there are any obstacles that might create problems when the lift is in place. For example, if the chair lift is too wide or too deep to open the front door when the chair is on the ground floor. There are options to rectify these situations, such as a flip up seat or zero-clearance rail.
• Options: There are some unique options that various manufacturers provide such as a seat swivel feature at the top and bottom of the stairs. This allows the user to enter and exit the lift facing away from the stairs, which is a great way to reduce slipping accidents.
• Brand Versus Budget: You’ll get you best performance from a nationally recognized stair lift dealer. However, some higher-end models will also come with a much higher price tag. You may be able to purchase a previously owned model, but you’ll still need to look to a provider that can install it for you. New models also come with warranties if you experience any problems with your lift along the way after installation.

Your best bet is to take the measurements mentioned earlier and visit a well-respected installation or chair lift sales company. They can provide you with details on what lifts fit your particular needs and show you all the latest features.

Hampton Roads Mobility is a locally-owned, home mobility expert that has been serving clients surrounding Hampton Roads. We are an authorized Bruno stairlift dealer – carrying both straight and curved Stairlifts to fit the needs of your home.