Stairlifts have been one of the saving graces for seniors who wish to stay in their respective homes even after being considered eligible for a homecare facility. These lifts allow them to easily and safely glide from one floor to another, prevent any incidences, such as falls (read more) and bumps, and developing their sense of autonomy back. Though the installation fees are not covered by medicare, stairlifts are still a worthwhile investment.
Coastal Lifts, a Sydney based company aim to provide excellent service to those seniors, which require additional assistance. However, what kind of product available on the market can be considered the best in terms of accessibility, safety, and durability? Our answer is, it depends on what your current needs are, and how many advantages in each kind align with your circumstance.
- Straight Lift
One of the most common and easiest to use is the straight stairlift. It is also considered one of the most inexpensive ones if you have a tight budget to work on. The cheaper price may be due to the nature of the stairs, which requires it to be the typical, straight ones. This kind of stairlift poses no complicated problems as long as it follows regulations accordingly. However, depending on the quality of your seat, the overall cost can also lean towards the more expensive side.
This type can be installed on both sides of the elevation, which adds to its versatility and accessibility for seniors. It can also have retractable rails and seats which can be stashed away when the senior is not at home, and folding arm and footrests to avoid any possible bumping while not in use.
- Curved Lift
This type of stairlift leans towards the exorbitant side, as it needs to be customized according to the curve. Despite that, this one proves to be the most versatile of all types, as it can be modified based on many elements, such as the complex spirals, and even able to instal features that let the rider encompass more than one landing. Other than that its features do not differ much from the aforementioned one.
- Outdoor Lift
One of the unorthodox choices is the outdoor type, which caters for the transportation of the rider from the porch, driveway, or garage and into the house. Since this lift is situated outside, it is built to weather more adverse conditions, and typically very resistant to the elements. It is typically installed with a built-in cover to protect it from rain or sunlight whenever it’s not in use.
- Platform Lift
This type of stairlift is used typically by wheelchair-bound seniors and beneficiaries that have difficulty transferring from one device to another. This kind, as its name suggests, looks like a platform where the rider can simply wheel themselves in. This platform can either be an open one or a closed one, with the latter having walls to surround the device for extra safety. The typical number of riders for this type is two maximum.