Although it’s possible to use a standardized track if the stairway sits at a similar grade as indoor stairs, these lifts often need at least some degree of customization. Outdoor stair lifts are often used for transportation to a porch, patio, pier or deck. The track is made of anodized aluminum and the seat is constructed from weather-resistant material-typically a marine-grade vinyl. Like it sounds, an outdoor stair lift is designed to withstand weather elements as it lifts you from one level of your home to another. Custom tracks are individually manufactured, assembled, tested and disassembled before in-home installation, adding to the cost. You may also need a custom solution if you have a multi-level stairway with a landing between the levels. Curved Stair LiftĪ curved stairway requires a customized track, according to Fortunato. A straight stair lift features a flat, standardized track to help you go from one level of your home to another. This type is the easiest to install and therefore the least expensive. The type of stair lift you’ll need depends on your existing stairway. There are three main types of stair lifts: straight, curved and outdoor. But much like other mobility devices, such as canes and walkers, stair lifts offer a way to maintain independence, Ayoub says. Some people might feel like a chair lift is an admission of getting old or being frail. Many times, simply considering a stair lift might require clearing a mental hurdle. People with heart conditions especially have to make deliberate choices about how to spend their energy, she adds. Medical issues like congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, kidney disease and liver failure can tire someone easily, says Ayoub. “If you have a condition that comes with limited energy, a stair lift can be a way to conserve it.” “Going up stairs, particularly several times per day, can take a great deal of energy,” she says. They’re not just for people who use wheelchairs, walkers or canes, says Kate Ayoub, a doctor of physical therapy in Washington, D.C. Speed controls, usually on the end of an armrest.Īnyone who wants to go from one level of their home to another more easily could benefit from a stair lift.Batteries, which are used to power the stair lift, as well as battery chargers that plug into a standard outlet.Electronic sensors that detect items on the stairs that could interfere with the lift’s function.Seat belts, a security feature especially useful for people who experience dizziness or are frail.Adjustable seats, with the option to swivel at the top of the stairs to more easily exit the stair lift.Foldable seats, which minimize the amount of space the lift occupies when not in use.Some may be helpful depending on your physical and space limitations while others are designed for safety and convenience. Stair Lift FeaturesĪlthough they all serve the same purpose, stair lifts have a surprising number of features. For example, if you’re at the bottom of the stairway and the chair is at the top, you can use a remote control to “call” the chair down to you. A chair with a motorized gear or wheels at its base and a secure seat travels up and down this track at a slow speed.Ĭontrols are mounted on the chair, though many stair lifts have remote controls as well. 5 Best Stair Lifts Of 2023: Reviews And ComparisonsĪ stair lift uses a track that’s typically mounted on the wall along a stairway or to the tread of your staircase. While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. This compensation comes from two main sources. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Health site. The Forbes Health editorial team is independent and objective.
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