Who can benefit from a home stairlift

The most obvious beneficiaries of having a stair lift in their home are those who are less mobile than they once were.

These people can include

• The elderly, who are not as steady on their feet as they were in years gone by.
• Wheelchair and mobility scooter users.
• Someone with an ailment that affects their muscles or joints (e.g. osteoporosis, arthritis etc).
• Someone whose weight makes walking and climbing difficult.
• Someone with an artificial limb or a permanent leg brace.
• Someone with diminished eyesight.
• Someone with a degenerative illness.
• Someone with a weak grip who is unable to use a banister.
• Someone with poor coordination or who is shaky on their feet.
• Someone with an eye to the future (see below).

Forward planning

As we get older or put on weight, most of us find that climbing and descending stairs becomes more difficult.

Once this process starts the clock cannot be turned back and therefore it is often possible to anticipate the need for a stairlift some time before it becomes an absolute necessity. Ultimately, if you can anticipate that you (or your partner) are going to require a stairlift over the next couple of years, then why not get one now before you encounter any problems.

Unfortunately far too many stairlift owners buy their stair lift as a result of a fall or a “staircase scare” that prompts the purchase. In most instances this warning gives them the chance to anticipate the future dangers of using stairs as they get older and they take appropriate action. The result is that they quickly buy a stairlift as a preventative safety measure.

However, in some instances this warning can come too late and a fall down stairs can result in an immobilising injury that can permanently limit someone’s future activities.

Naturally a stairlift should never be bought as a panic measure, however if you are starting to feel uncomfortable, insecure or slightly jittery when using your staircase, a stairlift is something that you should think about.

The long term benefits

If you anticipate that you will be around for quite some time it is a mobility aid that will assist you several times every day for many years to come. It may also help any elderly or mobility challenged friends who visit your home, and it will be seen (if supervised) as an exciting ride by young grandchildren.

The other factor that few people consider is that, with an ever aging and infirm population, a home with a stairlift can often add extra desirability to a property. More and more families have a member who would benefit from having access to mobility equipment and a home that already has such an item offers an extra selling point.

Redundant chairlifts can also be sold, refurbished and fitted in another property, so the installation of one of these aids should never be seen as diminishing or devaluing a property – quite the reverse.

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