Stairlifts are growing in popularity, mainly because so many people are choosing to enjoy their independence well into their elder years. Older generations are refusing to go to homes and leave their family home where they have lived for years, they want to stay at home and enjoy their freedom. This can be a serious concern for families, especially when there are stairs involved.
One of the leading accidents with older people is trips and falls, even at home. Stairs are a dangerous obstacle and therefore installing a stairlift can make a significant difference to the persons quality of life, while providing the family with much needed peace of mind at the same time.
The first major thing to focus on when looking at the possibility of a lift for the staircase is to look at the stairlift companies offering this service in your area. You want to choose a company with a good reputation that can provide you with years of experience. They should be able to answer your questions without delay and send out an experienced team member to measure the stairs so that they can custom make the stairlift based on your staircase and particular needs.
The next thing you are gong to want to identify before making any decisions is whether your staircase is straight or curved. A curved staircase can result in you finding it harder to find a stairlift company to provide you with a service. Curved staircases are unique, which means the company needs to custom make your stairlift based on the design. Not all companies offer this service, many will provide straight lifts out of the box.
You will need to determine your budget to see whether buying or renting is the best option for you. When renting you will pay an affordable monthly fee which includes any services and repairs while you own the stairlift. Owning means that once you have purchased the product, it is yours, so there are no payments other than maintenance. If there are any issues in the first year, this should fall under the warranty.
If you choose to purchase from a stairlift company, then you are gong to have to decide whether you want to buy new or reconditioned. Bear in mind that not all companies provide curved stairlifts as reconditioned models. Reconditioned is a used products, it is in good condition, though there may be some minor signs of wear and tear. These have usually been put through a thorough checking process, any essential repairs have been carried out and the lift has been serviced. New is out of the box and costs more to purchase.
Look at the different chair options. Some are a perched seat, others are a proper seat with arm rests. Any seat you choose should come with a safety harness and you will want to speak to your stairlift company to ensure that it is easy for you to use. Consider a simple toggle switch if you suffer with poor fine motor skills, ensuring you can enjoy your independence with confidence moving forward.
Always ensure that the product you choose comes with a good warranty. New stairlifts come with a manufacturers warranty, but any reconditioned models should come with a warranty, so you can buy with complete confidence and peace of mind.
The stairlift company should be able to provide you with a host of services from the custom build of your lift to the delivery and installation. The company should also offer servicing and repairs as needed.