Stairlifts make the stairs at one’s home more accessible to older people or someone who is physically not strong enough to climb the stairs. A stairlift is a chair attached to a flight of stairs powered by electricity, allowing people with limited mobility to move up and down stairs with ease. Depending on one’s needs, a stairlift is equipped with either a chair or a platform. Read on to know more:

Functioning of a stairlift
Here is a little more insight into a stairlift:
It moves along a rail fitted to the stairs, and the stairlift moves along the track using a motor.
The motor is powered by a battery that is continually charged. The charging pattern is in such a way that the lift doesn’t stop halfway along the stairs.
These stairlifts are easy to operate and are controlled by a joystick attached to the armrest. This joystick allows easy movement up and down the stairs.
If two people use the same lift, it will come with two remotes, so going up and down the stairs is easier.

How to choose a suitable stairlift?
There are two basic categories of stairlifts. One is the straight lift, and the other is the curved one. One can choose the one that is suitable for one’s needs:
Straight stairlifts: The tracks travel in straight lines, as the name suggests. They don’t turn around a corner or bend. These are the simplest of all types and are found in most households.

Curved stairlifts: These tracks are specifically designed to suit staircases that turn corners or are spiral.

Perch stairlifts: Those who find it difficult to bend their knees or sit can choose this model. Here the seat is smaller and is positioned higher than a standard lift so that the user can perch instead of sitting.

Outdoor lifts: All the features of this lift are similar to the indoor ones, except that the outdoor lift is waterproof and can withstand even extreme temperatures.

When does one need a stairlift?
Here are some situations when having a stairlift becomes dispensable:
If there is an elderly person in the house with notable frailty.
If one has undergone, an operation or surgery and one’s mobility is affected for a long period.
In case any family member has undergone hip replacement.
If anyone is suffering from arthritis or multiple sclerosis.
People with balance issues also go for stair lifts.

Warranty and aftersales services
When one plans to buy a stairlift, one should ensure that the stairlift tis bought from an authentic source. Also, most lifts come with a 1-year manufacturer warranty. The dealers and manufacturers know that a stairlift needs frequent servicing, so they include short warranty periods. But one can negotiate on this point and try to get at least a one-year warranty. Also, before deciding on the final product, one should check with the seller about the pricing that is required once the short warranty is over.

Safety features
All stairlifts have some safety features, so using them is not too risky. Here are some safety features that are included in a stairlift:
The detachable safety belt offers stability.
There are brakes installed that can be used when one needs to halt.
If obstacles are detected on the stairs, sensors will stop the lift.
A remote control allows a person to land the lift properly on the floor. Mechanical or electrical braking systems bring these lifts to a smooth surface.
Many of these lifts come with foldaway or swivel features, which make embarking and disembarking easy.
A lockable on-and-off switch is installed to deactivate the lift when not in use.

A stairlift is a power-intensive gadget that is far more efficient. It is designed in such a way that it only uses power when it is running. This helps a person save on electricity costs and makes it an efficient device. It is affordable to run and lasts for years if maintained well. It is not only for seniors. Sometimes even a young person in the family becomes immobile because of a sports injury or other health condition. In such cases, a stairlift is the best fix. With the help of a stair lift, one can move around safely in one’s home. It offers a substantial degree of independence to those who are injured or physically unstable. It is extremely easy to use, fold, unfold, and maintain. Moreover, the installation cost is not so high that a person has to spend a huge amount of money on it.