The Ideal Stair lift for you – Choosing Stairlifts?

The elderly had been claiming a large part of the total population in Australia, even before the pandemic had hit. Back in 1927, the elderly comprised 9% of the population, and today, it almost hit a quarter of the average population (20%). It’s projected in many studies that in 36 years, there will be about 8.8 billion older people, or approximately 22%. For those living with their family and not a home, there are several problems to be assessed, one such important one is mobility.

There is one significant solution to these mobility issues. Stairlifts have peaked in popularity as the elderly population rose year by year. Companies have found the one most common difficulty this population often faces, and have created an assistive device to enhance the daily living conditions of these elderly. If you’re one of these people, read on to discover several reasons why you should get a stairlift as well as the type that fits your space, needs, and budget.

Types of Stairlifts

1. Straight 

This type is perfect for those using a cane or a wheelchair and who want to get to the second story of the home safely. Usually, staircases for households are straight, which are catered by lifts made for that specific shape. These are the most common transportation devices you can have, and ones with the most varieties, safety features, and comfort embodied in a chair. For those looking into getting this machine without wanting to spend an exorbitant amount, then this is the type you should consider. 

However, be forewarned those made for straight cannot be installed in a curved type. The latter had its chair, device, and extra balancing features to make sure the rider arrives safely on the landing without spilling halfway through a turn. With that said, the next item is made exactly for those types of staircases.

2. Curved

Other homes have curved stairs which aren’t ideal for the elderly as much as (or even more) a straight one would. This type makes sure the rider is safer, usually with thicker, built-in straps and a chair that molds their body easily and comfortably. 

3. Platform

Lastly, platform stairlifts look entirely different from their counterparts, and this is due to their form of being a flat area where the rider can be in a wheelchair or a movable bed. They don’t need to be transferred from one transportation device to another, which makes it the most convenient out of the three. However, it becomes twice more expensive as just installing a chair on the railings. 

Top Reasons To Buy

1. Offer Autonomy

A sense of control slips and gets lost in all the pain management and doctor’s orders, especially for elderly people. Contrary to what their family would think, this loss of decision-making, capability, and independence is a hard blow on their psyche. Losing their mobility to do something as simple as climbing the stairs is one, and this contraption can help address that.

2. Accessibility

With a stairlift, it’s easy to move from one floor to another, and the second story is still open for the elderly to use, especially if their bedroom is located there.

3. Very Safe

Rather than climbing up and down on their own, the elderly pose no risk when using this transportation device. Each company might have different safety precautions, but they all focus on the rider’s overall safety.