A stairlift is a piece of equipment which is motorised and designed to assist senior citizens and the disabled to live more comfortably in a multiple floor home or get access to a raised entrance, with the most popular kindbeing a stair lift. In some settings, such as with a tiered deck or a house which has a large, open second floor loft space, a stair lift or wheel chair lift has certainly become a much more convenient method of getting from A to B.
A stairliftitself is essentially a seat that runs on a special track fitted directly to the side of a staircase. In most cases, staircases, whether curved or straight, can easily adapt to the installation of a stair lift and there are variousdifferent sorts of stairlifts in Buckinghamshire to suit a range of needs. Some of them are more compact and provide a folding component to help maximise room when it’s not in use. Others have a wall mounted control panel, whereas others have chair mounted controls, and there are some which offer hand held controls.
Wheelchairs and Convenience
A stairlifthas often been described as a “residential elevator” and is fitted directly alongside a set of stairs. In an open area within the home or even outdoors, a stairliftoffers a simple and easy way for senior citizens or disable people to travel between differing floors, but there are occasionally some floor plans that just won’t allow for a stair lift. Where it is possible, residential stair lifts can provide for a wheelchair similar to an open wheelchair lift, but they are enclosed and they work just like a commercial lift, only on a much smaller scale.
It is not standard practice for medical insurance to cover for the expense of a stair lift or chair lift, but there may be certain circumstances which may warrant some partial coverage, just check with your insurance company. Before you buy any kind of stairlift, make sure to contact a reliable and trustworthy company. Also, think about the user’s specific needs which will include his or her ability to easily and autonomously operate the device, the lift’s weight capacity, and if you need or prefer permanent or temporary installation. A residential stair liftwill need permanent installation, whereas a stair lift may be moved and reinstalled elsewhere if necessity calls.
Getting One Sorted
There are a number of councils who may recommend that you obtain a disabled facilities grant if you happen to live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland or, should you be in Scotland, an assistance scheme. Counting on your income, you may have to pay towards some of the costs of the stairlift. It may also vary as to whether the council will help with ongoing maintenance and installation. Be sure to check up on this, and see what the council has to say.
Whatever the reason, stair lifts are here to stay!
