To use a tired old cliché, necessity is indeed the mother of invention. When a paralyzing disease gripped the world in the 20s and 30s, an inventor made a wheelchair that can go up the incline of the stairs and move people from one floor to another. It was not long after when a device attached to the stairs itself was developed, and the stairlift was born.
Today, more than ever, the stairlift is now used by a large number of people, and not just those who are paralyzed. These are mostly senior citizens who are in their sixties or above, comprising more than forty million people in the United States alone.
This device is being used by people who are suffering from arthritis, recent surgeries and injuries and those with Alzheimer’s.
Stairlift use
Reducing the risk of accidents in the use of stairs by these mobility-impaired people does not mean avoiding the stairs altogether. Of course, this drastic move is impractical, unproductive and inconvenient.
With the development of today’s modern stairlift, mobility had been maintained as well as people’s productivity. Most of today’s restaurants, cinemas, offices and others have integrated a stairlift facility in their premises.
Of course, carrying bags of heavy items upstairs on a flight of stairs would suck out the energy of people who are not used to them anymore (old people, people with injuries, those who are weak and sick, etc.) The device can certainly help them, saving on time and energy.
Costs
Stairlifts may not come cheap, but getting one for yourself or for a loved one in the house is the best decision you can make. For one, the device is worth its price if you compare it to the difficulties without having one.
It pays to do first your research and comparisons on the web (and later demonstrations at the stores). This is to get the best possible options of your particular user’s needs and the corresponding costs.
The device would free you from the need to renovate your present house (two-storeys to a bungalow) or to transfer to another. At the same time, it will eliminate all your user’s mobility problems and make life easier.
Installation
Some stairlifts can be installed, in most cases, on your own with a few basic tools. However, it is recommended that the job is done by a licensed professional installer of the device.
Almost always, the company where you bought the device include the installation fee into the final price. This is the best arrangement since most companies know their products very well and know how to install them properly and safely.
Standard precautions
One of the most important considerations in installing a stairlift in your house is the condition of your staircase in particular. Again, this is best done by the company where you bought your machine.
Aside from the condition of your staircase, your present needs (or the needs of the one who will use the machine) have to be considered as well. The device and the needs of your user have to match perfectly.
This is to ensure the longevity (and effectiveness) of your stairlift and the safety of the user, symbols both of being modern and practical.