What Are Stair Lifts Used For?

When you’re one of the majority of families in Australia caring for the elderly, then stairlifts may have been introduced to you one way or another. In the earliest statistics, we can get (read more), there are 3.5 million elderly individuals aged 65 and above living in Australia. Of those 3.5 million, 95% are living and are taken care of by their families, while 5% were taken to care facilities. Still, both homes and care facilities in modern-day Australia make use of stairlifts.

1. To Ensure The Safety of The Elderly

Falls are one of the most common incidences, unfortunately, for many elderly people. This happens often in non-medical settings, but is less likely to be reported, since there are no repercussions for family members, unlike hospital staff. That means there are more incidences of falls in households than what the statistics say, unless the elderly’s fall was so severe they were reported to the hospital.

Back in 2016-2017, there were about 125,000 cases of falls that resulted in hospitalization, and all of them were people aged 65 and above. The most common reasons for falls were from slipping in poorly-managed bathrooms, and from stairs and steps that were too high, both with neither a safety device to use. This is where a stairlift becomes important.

2. Move Easily From One Floor To Another

The main reason for having stairlifts other than to promote safety is the easy mobility of these individuals from one floor to another, either going up or down. On top of that, stairlifts are easy to use, and some even take extra steps to make sure they’re as comfortable as they are safe, like Coastal Lifts. They’re an Australia-based company believing that through honest prices and quality craftsmanship, they can attain true customer satisfaction.

The way to use stairlifts, in general, is fairly easy. By sitting on the stairlift and putting on your seatbelt, you are ready to either ascend or descend from a floor. The button that controls the stairlift can be typically found in your armrest, where it is easiest to push.

3. To Promote Autonomy

Independence is one of the crucial self-development qualities lost in many elderlies. This can be either from a disability or of old age, where they can no longer do easy tasks they used to do, like climb or descend the stairs. Many families think helping their elderly do mundane activities can foster bond, or be viewed as repaying, but in truth older adults prefer to do activities on their own. The stairlift allows them to be independent in this regard, in more ways than one. 

4. Staying Home Becomes A Feasible Option

In most cases, older adults are being taken to facilities against their will, and this is because of the many dangers they face in their home. Most seniors prefer their own home to the care facilities, despite the underlying risks for their safety and health.

This becomes twice as risky when they are living alone. However, safety devices, such as anti-slip mats, steel rails in bathrooms, the eradication of throw rugs, and stairlifts have made living at home easy for the elderly.