Stairlifts for Home: The Complete Guide

If mobility issues are getting in the way of safely climbing stairs, stairlifts for home use may be the solution you’re searching for.

Age, injury, or illness can make it unsafe and difficult to use the stairs, limiting your ability to fully enjoy the home that you know and love. Having a stairlift installed is a safe, reliable, and affordable way to restore your personal independence by allowing you access to all the parts of your home.

The following article will provide a quick overview of stairlift basics, including:

What types of stairlifts for home use are available
How to know if a stairlift is the right choice for your home
Tips for choosing stairlifts for home use

Understanding Stairlifts For Home

A stairlift is a common type of personal accessibility product that is designed to assist people with mobility issues to move up and down stairs safely and comfortably.

It consists of:

A chair attached to a fixed track along the side of a staircase
An electric motor attached to the chair, controlled by the user with a switch to move the chair up and down the track to different floors
A speed governor and emergency braking system to prevent the chair from rapidly descending or moving too fast.
A typical climb rate is about 18 feet per minute.

It’s also important to note that the electric motor is powered by a battery charged by the home’s electrical system. In the event of a power outage, the battery will allow for continued use of the stairlift for several round trips.

Types Of Stairlifts

Straight – These are the most common type of stairlifts for homes as most houses use straight staircases. They can be customized to fit any length of staircase up to 40 feet long.
Curved – These use a custom curved running track to allow easy navigation around the landing rails for homes with multiple staircases, or even for circular staircases.
Outdoor – As the name implies, these lifts are designed to be used outdoors to allow access to decks and backyard areas as well as garage entryways. They are specifically designed to withstand the elements, including snow, rain, and extreme temperatures, using durable weather-resistant materials and equipped with covers and special security features.

Is A Stairlift Necessary For Your Home?

Here are a few things to consider when deciding if a stairlift is right for you.

Your physical limitations.
- Most people who can walk on level floors but have difficulty using stairs can benefit from a stairlift. You can also use stairlifts at home even if you use a wheelchair, provided you can transfer to and from the lift safely and have a wheelchair available on each floor.

Your budget.
- The cost of a stairlift will depend on the type you need and the customization involved, however, most options are cost-effective. There are also programs and benefits that may pay for all or part of the cost of a stairlift. Stairlifts can also be rented for temporary use.

Home layout and staircase configuration.
- The way your home and stairs are designed will determine the type of stairlift you need and the amount of customization required. Home Healthsmith provides a free home assessment to guide you in your purchasing decision.

Choosing The Right In-Home Stairlift

You’ll likely use your stairlift every day, so it’s important that it’s designed with your unique needs in mind. Select a supplier that offers a range of customization options, including:

Controls
Types of seats
Safety features
Materials
Colors
Styling

You’ll also want to take these factors into consideration as well:

Weight capacity – Most stairlifts are designed to accommodate weights of 300+ pounds, however, they can be reinforced if needed.
Comfort and convenience features – These include extra-wide seats, power swivel seats, folding lifts, remote controls, seat belts, extra padding, key locks, perch seats, headrests, large footrests, and more.
Battery vs. electric models – Most stairlifts use charging station outlets at the top and bottom of the stairs, but some models use an electric continuous charging rail, which can be more convenient and easier to use.
Warranty and maintenance – Check the types of product warranties and maintenance services your supplier offers after the initial manufacturer’s warranty expires. It can vary widely between companies.
Pricing – It pays to shop around among your area dealers to find the best prices on lifts.
Installation options – Make sure your stairlift supplier is flexible on installation dates and times and provides a reasonable timeframe for delivery.
Safety features – Ask your service provider to review available safety add-ons and features to improve your stairlift.

We Install Stairlifts For Homes Like Yours

A stairlift can give you safe and reliable access to your entire home, restoring mobility and independence.

Home Healthsmith serves all of Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts and would love the opportunity to assess your home and personal needs to help you choose the stairlift that’s right for you. Reach out to us today to schedule your free assessment.