The Pros and Cons of Installing a Stair Lift at Home

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For people with limited mobility such as senior citizens and people with disabilities, accessing the second story of a home is an issue. In fact, it can be downright hazardous and can cause serious injuries that might require them to go under surgery. The most common solution to this problem is the installation of a motorized stair lift so that senior citizens and people with disabilities can easily and safely go up and down the stairs. However, even though stair lifts have their obvious advantages, they may also have disadvantages that you may not be aware of. Having said this, let’s examine the pros and cons of installing a stair lift at home.

Pros

1. Accessibility

By installing a stair lift, senior citizens and people with disabilities can access the upper floor of their homes without any trouble. This is particularly helpful for homes without a ground-floor bedroom where the person with limited mobility can move to. With a stair lift, going up and down the stairs is as easy as pressing a button.

In addition, a stair lift can be used to bring items (e.g. food, adult diapers and other caring supplies) to the second floor of the home. It may also be used to transport heavier items (to the stair lift’s maximum capacity, of course) like baskets of fruit, water jugs, etcetera.

2. Safety

When a person has limited mobility, even the simplest day-to-day activities can be dangerous. Accidents on staircases, for example, are common among senior citizens, especially those above 65 years old. Falling down the stairs can lead to serious injuries that can further reduce their ability to live as independently as they would hope. Even worse, falling down the stairs can lead to death. The risk of procuring injuries when going up and down the stairs only increases as they age.

This is where a stair lift comes in. It reduces the possibility of injuries significantly and allows people with limited mobility to safely access the upper floors of their homes.

Cons

1. Cost

Installing a stair lift can be costly, but think about the convenience and peace of mind that it will give to both you and your loved one who has limited mobility. After all, if you can put a price on your family member’s safety, it will definitely be higher than the price that you need to pay for a stair lift.

2. Space

A stair lift requires a lot of space, so it might not be suitable for homes with old and narrow staircases. Another spatial issue comes with curved staircases. For this problem, you can get a curved stair lift that can be custom-fitted to your staircase. This adds another layer of convenience for your loved one.

If you have a family member with a condition that limits their mobility, whether that’s old age or a physical disability, one of your top priorities is to provide them with comfort while also ensuring their safety. This is what a stair lift is for. Even though it may be costly to install, it provides you and your loved one a kind of convenience like no other.