Stair Lift Or Vertical Platform Lift - Which is Best?

People who must use wheelchairs or power chairs can be severely limited in their own homes by a staircase. But even people who don't use chairs may be unable to climb an entire staircase. A variety of medications and physical conditions affect balance and vision, which can make even a small set of steps hazardous. When someone finds himself or herself unable to climb stairs for any reason, that can make a home feel small and isolating. The ability to get to the second floor or any level of the home is something most people take for granted, and something everyone can do with products like stair lifts and vertical platform lifts.

Each type of lift has a special purpose and can make mobility possible in multi-level homes, whether there are people present who use wheelchairs or who simply have difficulty climbing stairs. It's important to really consider the needs of the users when you're deciding which product is best for your home. In some cases, both are useful.

Vertical platform lifts are suitable for use by anyone in a wheelchair, power chair or scooter. These operate like elevators and are commonly used outside. Many people call them porch lifts because they're used to lift chairs onto the porch when it's high enough that a wheelchair ramp is impractical. It's important when purchasing a vertical platform lift for outside to make sure that the model is suitable for use outdoors, as some are designed for interiors only.

These lifts can be operated by the person in the wheelchair and so allow for more independence. The person never needs to get out of the chair, as is required with a stair lift. So for someone who cannot stand to transfer into another seat, a vertical platform lift is the best choice, for both indoor and outdoor staircases. Stair lifts offer the ability to go up and down a staircase, but are designed for people who don't need to stay in a wheelchair. Anyone can use a stair lift, so these are an option for anyone who has trouble climbing or descending stairs. Stair lifts can be used on outdoor stairs, too. Just make sure that the brand and model you choose is rated for outdoor use.

When choosing a stair lift, you also have to choose between battery-operated or electric. Both types must have an outlet nearby that they can be plugged into. The battery-operated models have a rechargeable battery that will allow the lift to work for a while without electricity. If the power goes out, the person with mobility problems will still be able to get up and down the steps several times.

The drawback to this is that the rechargeable batteries do wear out over time and need to be replaced, but the cost is about the same as a good car battery and not a huge burden. If the stair lift is used about 4 times a day to go up and back down the stairs, the battery will last about a year. One trip up and down per day should let the battery last 4 years, so don't let the idea of replacing the battery discourage you if a rechargeable model is something you're considering.

Stair lifts are also an option when there's nowhere to put a vertical platform lift or the renovation to add one would be too expensive. Keep in mind that some people who use wheelchairs will need help transferring in and out of a stair lift, and won't be able to use it independently.

Randy McIntire is a technical writer specializing in mobility devices for seniors and the disabled. For more information about stair lifts or vertical platform lifts, visit www.AmeriGlide.com.

Which is the Cheapest Type of Stair Lift?

For those people that live in a home with more than one story, and have someone living with them who needs to access all levels of the house but can't use the stairs, the best thing to do is get a stair lift as it gives them freedom to move around on their own.

Rather than adding an elevator, or changing your house's layout to accommodate the disabled person, you can simply add a stair lift to your already existing stair case and simply allow them the freedom to move around as they will without needing to have someone help them all the time.

Stair lifts come in different types. You can either get one which has a chair that is fixed at a moving track, or one that has a platform onto which you can easily put a wheelchair. The second one is better for people who cannot move out of their wheelchair, while the first one is a great option for people that can't stand for too long. You can even get a stair lift that will move along a curved staircase, if your staircase is not the conventional straight staircase with landings.

The stair lifts in the market are priced differently. The ones that operate on normal staircases cost less than the ones that work on curved staircases, as these require more work to be put in by the company.

Your stair lift cost will also be influenced by the number of levels you have that are needed to be made accessible, the number of landings, the height of the stairs and other specifications that the company will get when they send a representative to get the measurements and look at your house. You can also tell the company about the maximum amount you can afford to spend, and they can help you figure out how they can get you a stair lift in that amount.

A stair lift operates on wheels that transport it along a railing that is fitted into your staircase and upon pressing a single button, the lift will transport the person or thing on the platform or chair onto the next floor. This equipment is becoming quite popular in homes with elderly people since it provides ease of movement.

The lift functions either on battery or on your normal electricity. The battery option is more expensive, so if you are trying to cut costs you can opt out of it, but it is important if you expect to have power cuts and can't afford to have someone stranded on one level for longer periods of time.

Stair lifts are an excellent piece of equipment that provides people who have impaired mobility with the option of accessing all levels of the house at their ease without having to get someone to help them. The costs can vary, so it is a good idea to talk to several companies and get quotes before you decide on the final one you pick.

There are multiple stairlifts on offer at Churchills Stairlifts.