Tripping down or falling are some of the problems faced by the elderly and the partially immobilized. The injury from the falls in turn leads to further disability and limits independent and active life. Simple changes in the environment and life styles can stop the likelihood of tripping down or falling.



The barrier of stairs can be removed by using a stair lift. These electrically operated devices are easy to use and not very expensive.

Stair lifts are also known as stair gliders, stair chairs or chair lifts. They carry the disabled or the elderly gently and safely up the stairs. Ensure that the stair lift can swivel at the upper landing and turn away from the stairs to provide a confident and safe method to get off. If the stair lift comes with a remote control, it will assist the caregiver in case the individual could not operate the controls themselves.

When selecting a stair lift ensure it can maneuver curved and narrow stairs. It should also negotiate corridors and intermediate landings without any problem. There should be a battery back-up available in the stair lift so that during power outages, the lift should continue to operate.

One of life's pleasures is to relax in the bath easing away the aches, stresses and pains. To assist the disabled and the senior citizens lacking easy mobility to enjoy the therapeutic value of a bath, a bath lift can be used.

Bath lifts have a seat, which in turn fitted in the bath, and it moves up and down. The user can slide from the side of the bath into the seat and the lift lowers the user gently into the bath. Similarly, after the bath, the seat lifts the user to the top of the bath.

Batteries power most of the bath lifts and the lifts can also work from the mains. The batteries are a safe back up in case of power outage.

Bath lifts are not suitable for users who cannot get on and off the seat of the lift and who cannot lift the legs over the rim of the bath. Persons with such acute disabilities, a hoist or a fixed lift are more suitable than the portable bath lift.

Most of the bath lifts available on the market fit in the standard shaped baths. In order to hold its place the bath lifts are provided with a sucker at every corner of its base.

Ensure that the bath seat can go deep into the bath so that a deeper bath with less water is assured.