A stairlift or a home lift is an assistive technology. It is just like an automatic washing machine, a TV remote or an escalator. Think if it like an appliance designed to make life easier. Buying one does not mean you are old. The benefits to your quality of life and independence far out-weigh any stigma. I’m going to try to convince with 3 reasons to buy a stairlift.
1. Stairlifts restore your independence
Whether you live alone or with friends and family, a stairlift can restore some valuable independence to your daily life. Even if you can usually manage the stairs.
If you’re living alone, maybe your friends and/or family have decided that its safer for you to remain downstairs. But who wants to live downstairs, (apart from people in a bungalow, but then this article isn’t for you, unless of course you need an outside lift to get in to the house). Who wants to sleep in the sitting room and bathe in the kitchen? You have an entire floor of bedrooms and bathrooms, you have always used them in the past, the only thing stopping you is those pesky stairs that have become a little more difficult than before.
Sometimes a partner, or your family have to assist you up and down the staircase (for safety reasons), with a stairlift you can do it all for yourself again.
Having a stairlift installed will return full access to the home you love.
2. Stairlifts are safer than you think
If you are a little unsteady on your pins then buying a stairlift and having a stairlift installed is a much safer way to ascend and descend the stairs. Usually going down the stairs is far more troublesome and dangerous. A lot of people have their first fall before deciding to get a lift installed. People don’t tend to bounce very well.
A stairlift can be parked away at the top of the stairs, avoiding it becoming a trip hazard. Alternatively, a seat can turn to block the stairs, thereby minimising the risk of falling. Modern stairlifts come with a safety belt that secures you in before you travel.
These design features minimise the risk of slipping and falling. Proving you and your family complete peace of mind.
More than 100,000 elderly people are treated for injuries after a fall on stairs every year. This is a scary statistic and more of the falls could be avoided with a simple piece of technology. (bbc.co.uk)
Stairlifts have many other safety features. They also have pressure sensitive pads on the exposed edges that stop the lift if it comes into contact with anything during its travel.
They have key switches so they can be turned off to stop children or others playing with them when not in use.
Automatic over-current detection that will stop a lift being used in the event of an electrical overload situation.
Guarding around moving parts that stop little fingers or paws getting where they shouldn’t.
Modern stairlifts also have some excellent safety controls built in. These include systems that stop a stairlift in if a major component like a gearbox or motor failed.
Stairlifts are vigorously tested by manufacturers to meet stringent safety standards before being allowed to be launched on to the market.
3. Stairlifts enable you to stay in your home longer
Buying a stairlift is significantly more cost effective than moving home, people don’t want to move, whether it be in to a bungalow or a care home), they have spent many years investing in their house and garden and made it just the way they want it and want to remain there, people have significant memories within their own domain and if the stairs are the only issue then a stairlift or home lift is one solution.
The Anglian Lifts website contains a lot of information and articles about choosing stairlifts and home lifts. Before you buy a stairlift please take the time to browse. If you need some free advice then our team are happy to help. They can be contacted via phone 01733 971975 or via webchat (bottom right of your screen), or simply send us an email to enquiries@anglian-lifts.co.uk
We are member of both the BHTA (British Healthcare Trades Association) and of the Peterborough based Safe Local Trades
If you are thinking of buying a stairlift and having it installed then my article ‘How to buy a stairlift explained in simple terms‘ may be useful to read about the process. Also check out the BHTA guide ‘get wise to buying a stairlift’.
