Chair Lift for Stairs

Some elderly have difficulty climbing/descending stairs. With a chair lift for stairs, they have access to their entire home again. They no longer have to change or limit their daily routines because they cannot go up and down the stairs.

A chair lift for stairs will allow your aging parents to be independent and self sufficient and for most people these are essential for their quality of life. They may be the answer, if moving from their home is not an option or renovating their home is too expensive.

When they develop a mobility problem and their home has stairs that they need to use everyday, then they need to look at acquiring a chair lift for stairs.

Stair lifts are easily installed into any situation where the condition of the stair tread is good as the railing that the chair lift uses, is attached to the stair tread.

A chair lift for stairs can be both battery operated and AC power operated.

Who Can Benefit from a Chair Lift for Stairs?

Stairs present a mobility challenge and often danger for the elderly who are struggling with mobility issues.

Falling down stairs are a leading cause of serious injury among the elderly and purchasing a chair lift for stairs can significantly reduce concerns about falls.

A chair lift will not only be a safer method for movement up and down stairs by those with mobility issues but they will also be securing an important degree of independence.

Features of Chair Lift for Stairs:

• Exterior Package - Allows stair chair lifts to be used outdoors. Can be a challenge to operate if snow or heavy rain is a factor.
• Keyed stair chairs can not be operated unless key is in place and turned to on position.
• Flip up rail - Permits bottom section of rail to be flipped up out of way. Manual and power available for some models.
• Hand held pendant control - Available for a few models but if user can not operate lift themselves then it is questionable if a stairlift is appropriate.
• Track Lengths for stairways in excess of 16'- lengths up to 45 ft are possible depending on model.
• Standing lift - allows client to stand instead of sit. This is applicable to an extremely narrow stairway or a situation where the client can not bend their legs to place their feet on the footrest. This is an expensive type of option.
• Weight capacity over 300 lbs. Only a few are available with this option. Confirm increased seat width is included. If user is close to 300 lbs. then this option should be considered.
• Seat depth of 18" - If stair chair lift user is tall...6' plus or is using a wheelchair and requires more seat stability, then a deeper seat should be considered.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

Stair chairs are mechanical chair lifts that allow the elderly to move easily between different floors of a house. One of the biggest advantages of stair chairs has to be the independence it can give these individuals. If a person has mobility challenges and is unable to leave their own home without assistance from others, they are likely to feel trapped and helpless. The emotional relief and the sense of freedom stair chairs can provide these individuals is priceless.

Caretakers also benefit from having stair chairs in a home. Moving an individual down stairs without such a device can be a dangerous proposition.

Another advantage of chair lifts for stairs is that they can allow a person with a mobility issue to remain in a home that they love and have lived in for a long time. Often seniors are forced to move because of their mobility issues that prevent them from living in houses with stairs, but a stair chair eliminates this need altogether.

Disadvantages:

The biggest disadvantage of installing a stair chair in a house is the cost. Stair chairs can be expensive to purchase, although recently prices are declining due to competition between manufacturers. You can also look into leasing a stair chair if you can not afford to purchase one, or possibly purchase a refurbished or used stair chair in good condition.

Another disadvantage may be the damage done to certain staircases when the stair chair is installed. For those with beautifully crafted wood stairways, it may be hard to see the railings removed or modified so that the stair chair can be installed. Still, given the independence these devices offer, this is likely to be only a fleeting concern.

How to Choose a Chair Lift for Stairs:

• Weight and height of user? If your stairs are not very wide (less than 37") then a taller person may have difficulty with their knees reaching the other side of the stairs. The option of a standing or perching model may be better in this case than a chair lift for stairs.
• Ability to transfer to seat of stair chair lifts? The persons mobility also needs to be considered because if they cannot easily get on and off the chair lift then perhaps a different type, such as a standing or perching platform or a wheel chair lift may be more appropriate.
• Stairs straight or curved? If curved, shape of curve?
• Stair chair lift on left or right of stairs looking up from bottom?
• Width of stairs in inches?
• Width of stairs constant?
• Is there an existing hand rail?
• The rail for the chair lift must go right to the top and bottom of the stairs to ensure easy mounting and dismounting for the user.
• the ability to use battery and power. Battery operated is useful when there is a power cut, at least you will not be stuck upstairs, downstairs or in-between
• The chair stair lift has a folding footplate and guard rails, which is very useful when the stairway is narrow and when the chair lift is not in use it is easier for users of the stairs to move past the chair lift. The seat in some models, swivels as well. This is useful in helping a person when mounting and dismounting.
• The seat in some models, swivels as well. This is useful in helping a person when mounting and dismounting.
• They have safety sensors. If an object is in the way of the chair lift when moving up and down it will stop until the obstruction is removed.
• The controls are easy to use. There is push button, paddle and infrared controls. The infrared controls mean you can call for the lift to be sent to where-ever you are. The paddle switch is located on the end of the seat arm, of the chair lift and of course the remote can be wherever you want to keep it.
• Breaking systems are a very important consideration as a part of safety. There are dual electronic and mechanical ones. This means that the chair lift is unable to descend unexpectedly or at speed. A lockable isolation switch ensures that the chair lift always stops in the correct position.

Standing or Perching Stair Lifts

Standing or perching stair lifts are only suitable for seniors who have the ability to stand for at least a minute,the length of time it takes to move up or down the stairs, but there is a rail that they can hold onto for security. If there is a problem with this then using the seated chair lift for stairs will be the best option.

The difference between the standing and perching models is the perching model has support beneath the buttocks to help take the weight off the legs. Both models share the same features as seated chairlifts in that the footplate folds up and so do the rails.

Key Points to Consider:

• Rail mounts to stair treads, not to wall. Stairs must be in sound condition.
• If your stairs are narrow (less than 37") than the track distance from the wall will be a key issue. This factor is also dependent on the height of the stair lift user and their leg length.
• If you have difficulty transferring to the seat of the chair then seat height will be a key issue.
• Seat height at bottom of stairs is an important point if client is short.
• If you have lower back pain and a soft start and stop are important then DC powered residential stair lifts maybe more appropriate.
• If user is tall then seat depth of the access stair lift is important.
• Stairway must have adequate lighting at top and bottom of stairs.
• Confirm local government requirements for electrical plug.
• Track must be allowed to come all the way to the top landing and bottom landing for safe transfer to the seat of electric stair chair lifts.

How Much do Chair Lift for Stairs Cost?

There is a lot of variation among manufacturers in terms of the actual prices for chair lifts for stairs.

Prices will depend also on what kind of chair lifts for stairs you are interested in purchasing and what type of stairs you have.

Other factors that can affect price include whether you are buying a new or refurbished model, installation costs, and whether you will be receiving some kind of government assistance or rebate. Prices for a simple chair lift for straight stairs often range between $3000 to $4000, but for more elaborate stairways and chairs, the price can be as much as $15,000 (or even more, in some cases). For this reason, you should carefully compare manufacturers, prices and features.

Many companies selling chair lifts for stairs are reluctant to give a price quote over the phone or internet.

If you are looking to reduce your chair lift costs, you may want to consider purchasing an used or refurbished model. In these cases, however, you will also want to make sure there is some kind of warranty to make repairs if some are needed soon after installation (preferably at least a twelve month warranty).

Renting a chair stair lift is another option offered by some companies.

If you are in real need of chair lift for stairs but do not have the cash at hand to make the purchase, some companies will also pursue some creative financing arrangements with you, including reverse mortgages, home equity loans and other loan arrangements. Unfortunately, government subsidies are not usually available for chair lifts for stairs purchases (in the United States, at least).

Curved vs Straight Stairways

When shopping for a chair lift, stairs style will be a large determining factor in how much you will have to pay to have your chair lift installed in your home.

The main purpose of a chair lift is, of course, to elevate a person between different levels of a home, but not all houses stairs have similar designs and prices. A beautifully curved staircase may have been a plus when originally purchasing a home, but when you are pricing chair lifts for stairs they may become a pricey investment indeed.

In general chair lift stairs are best if they are straight rail staircases. These are the easiest models for most chair lift manufacturers to accommodate and they will be the cheapest chair lift for stairs models you can purchase.

However, you can purchase a chair lift for winding stairs. Curved rail staircases will require individual fitting and meticulous measurements, and will incur additional pricing and material costs. Still, the freedom of mobility will likely well be worth the price for yourself or a loved one.

Another major disadvantage of curved rail staircases is that it will be harder to find cheaper chair lift options for your stairs. Most rentals or refurbished chair lifts for stairs will be designed for straight rail staircases.

If you have a curved rail stairway and are committed to having a chair lift installed on these stairs, you should certainly price comparison shop with different manufacturers.

Installations

Your home's structure will not hinder the installation of chair lift for stairs because the lift is installed on the stair treads. Also, there are many models and designs that would suit any home.

• Installation of a chair lift for stairs is usually more than the average family would want to handle themselves. They are many reasons why stair chairs are something you may want a local dealer to install.
• When lift is installed the trip switches tend to be the most problematic part. Great care is required
• Trip switches are easy to damage during installation regardless of the manufacturer or model
• The footplate hitting the stairs and activating a stop switch can be common if the lift is not installed properly.
• Most manufacturers boast that their drive system is better than others. In actual fact, most stair chair systems are comparable in durability. Rack and pinion, cable and chain are common.
• Rack and pinion manufacturers are critical about other stair chair lift drive systems yet most elevators run on cable or chain systems.
• Tracks require proper alignment to assure the stairway lift does not stop when no one technical is close by.
• It is common for most stair chair models to be serviced each year to avoid break downs.
• If a family member is not local or available within an hours notice then a local installer is extremely important.

Service Issues

• Serviced every six months or as per the manufacturers instructions.
• Most manufacturers will void the warranty if units are not serviced by an approved dealer.
• Service usually requires the unit to be dismantled to some extent requiring some expertise.
• When a home lift does not work...usually...some wiring expertise is necessary regardless of the model.