Stair Lift Buyers Guide

Reviewer:  Aaron Creighton | December 3, 2018

If maintaining independence and aging in place is important to you or the senior in your life, a stair lift can help. But where should you start?

 

 

 

 

 

What is a Stair Lift?

All over the country and around the world, people are aging, and many of them are aging in place. There are all sorts of reasons, but it is by far the most commonly desired place to age (more than 90%, according to AARP) would prefer to remain at home for as long as possible. They would rather not transition to a senior care community unless or until it’s absolutely necessary.

But many seniors realistically sit between independence and the need for assistance. This is the primary reason that many long-distance caregivers and concerned family members worry about senior relatives or friends who either live alone, who are in poor/failing health, or live with a frail spouse who has care needs of his/her own.

stair lifts can help facilitate a more comfortable lifestyle for seniors who wish to stay in place.

People who Benefit from Stair Lifts

People who can’t walk
People who cannot walk at all can benefit from stair lifts, as these devices allow them to move from floor to floor. Depending on the nature of their disability, these users may need assistance getting in and out of the stair lift. The devices were originally invented for polio sufferers, and people who can’t walk are one of the target markets for this type of device.

People who have trouble bending their knees: People who have trouble bending their knees will not be able to walk up and down steps easily. A perch seat or standing platform stair lift can help these people get from floor to floor with no trouble.

People who have limited mobility: People who have limited mobility, including needing a cane or walker to keep their balance, can benefit from the use of stair lifts so that they can safely move from floor to floor.

People with heart or lung issues: People with heart conditions, severe asthma or other medical issues that limit their ability to engage in physical activity might want to use a stair lift to minimize the health risk when going from floor to floor.

People who are obese: People who are obese may have trouble with mobility, joint pain, respiratory problems and balance issues and could be aided by a stair lift.

Cost of a Stair Lift

Unfortunately, the cost of stair lifts prevent many seniors with fixed incomes from installing them. The irony however, is that senior care facilities or full-time caregivers are much more expensive. The trouble is, most people wait too long before installing a stair lift, so the option is no longer available.

Prices for stair lifts range from $999 to over $10,000, based on need and features desired. But there are a number of ways to pay for them, or get them paid for through other sources.

A reverse mortgage, second mortgage, or home improvement loan are also popular ways of financing the installation of a chair lift. Most people think that a reverse mortgage means losing the home, but it’s actually just a creative way to pull cash from the equity of a home.

Always check your health insurance policy first, you might have some options. Additionally, there are sometimes local grants or programs that can help seniors get funding for home updates for aging in place.

Types of stair lifts

Once you’ve considered the costs, explored funding options, determined that your home can support this modification, and decided between renting and buying, the next big decision is choosing which stair lift is the best for your needs.

Full seated stair lifts: Most people think of full seated stair lifts when they think of a stair lift. These lifts contain a seat with a back and a footrest, both of which are usually adjustable. The user sits down and presses a button on the lift to raise or lower it.

Standing platforms: Users who have difficulty sitting, can’t bend their knees easily or prefer to stand may want to use a standing platform. This type of platform allows the user to stand up and hold onto the sides of the lift. These lifts are often narrower than full seated lifts.

Outdoor stair lift: Some stair lifts are specifically made for the outdoors. These lifts attach to wooden staircases so that users can access steps leading to their entryway or can get on and off decks and patios.

Safety features

Stair lifts are equipped with a variety of safety features in order to ensure users that they don’t fall or injure themselves while using the device.

Safety sensors: Most stair lifts contain sensors that search for obstacles in the device’s path such as items left on the steps. The sensors automatically turn off the device and don’t allow movement until the obstacles are removed.

Aircraft or other strong cable: Cables are designed to hold up to 4,200 pounds so that they won’t snap or break while people are using the device.

Pressure-sensitive controls: Controls on the device itself are sensitive to pressure; if the user stops pressing the button, the lift immediately stops moving.

Additional Features to Consider

Remote control

Many stair lifts offer the option of a remote control to access the stair lift from far away.

Call lift to top or bottom of steps: If a user is on one floor and the stair lift is on the other, the user can call the lift to where it is needed by pressing a button on the remote control.

Save power: Users can save the stair lift’s power by turning it off via remote control when not in use.

Works in conjunction with device control: The device itself may have a joystick or button that controls the lift. The remote will not override this control and can only be used when the stair lift is not in operation.

Swivel ability: Most stair lifts allow the seat to swivel so that it can be turned by hand or turned while a person is sitting in it. Users can simply sit down in the seat and turn it in the direction they want to go. Then the stair lift can very easily be turned around so that it can go in the other direction.

Adjustability

Most stair lifts allow users to quickly and easily adjust the seat.

Lever operated: Users might be able to raise or lower the seat by pressing a lever with their foot or hand.

Adjustable back and footrests: Users can adjust both the back of the device and the footrest for maximum comfort.

Folding seat: The seat can be folded back on some units to create a standing platform or a perch seat.

Platform Options

Many stair lifts offer a variety of platform options to make them useful and enjoyable to a wide range of customers.

Sit/stand option: Users can fold the seat back to make a standing platform for those who would rather stand up while being transported up and down steps.

Perch seat: Those consumers who have difficulty with their knees may find it easier to get into a perch seat than into a standard seat.

Hinged platform: Hinged platforms allow the device to attach to stairs that are located inside a doorway or other narrow space.

Rail Shape

Rails for stair lifts come in a variety of shapes and sizes so that they can accommodate all types of stairways.

Straight rails: Straight rails go straight up and down steps. These are designed for traditional flights of stairs.

Curved rails: Users can go up and down spiral or other curved stairways using these types of rails.

L-shaped rails: If a set of stairs suddenly turns at a 90 degree angle – as is popular in modern homes – L-shaped rails can allow a stair lift to travel over them.

How to Buy a Stair Lift

Do your research! Don’t trusted articles you read on the internet alone, make sure you talk to people who are non-biased, so don’t just trust everything that the stair lift salesman tells you. Get free information from multiple stair lift providers, and select a few that might work. At that point, request a home assessment from multiple companies to get a variety of estimates. Remember that all estimates are negotiable, and be on the lookout for scams or expensive warranties that you don’t need.