Not only can climbing the stairs become more difficult as you age, it also becomes much more dangerous. People who are over 65 are much more likely to fall while on the stairs. These falls are the foremost cause of inadvertent death among seniors and also are the foremost cause of hospitalization. A stair lift is a type of medical device that has consistently be shown to reduce this risk.



A stair lift reduces the risk of injury on the stairs, because if you own a stair lift, instead of walking up the stairs, you are carried. Most staircase lifts use a chair to carry the rider, but some use a small platform instead. The stair chair is much safer than the alternative, which is called a perch lift, but for people who have severe knee problems, sitting might not be possible, so a perch lift fulfill some specific needs.

Installing a stair lift is something that can usually down in a few hours if you are installing it to a straight staircase. The process usually involves first securing a metal track to the stairs. After the track has been secured and is leveled, the car is attached to the track. The car is what actually carries the person and moves up and down the track. The car is also the part of the lift that contains the electric motor and in some cases the batteries.

A battery powered lift is an important choice if you live in an area that has frequent power disruptions, but does cost a little more than the traditional AC powered lift. In addition to a higher out of the box cost, a battery powered stair lift also has increased maintenance costs. This is as a result of having to replace the batteries periodically, which usually costs between $50 and $100. In addition to replacing the batteries, the batteries must also be checked to make sure they are not becoming corroded or their connections becoming loose.

While you can save some money by using an AC powered lift, it is important to remember that if the power goes out your lift will not function. If you live in an area that frequently looses power, then you probably will want to invest in a battery powered lift.

The weight listing of a lift is also important, which is generally not effected by whether or not it uses a battery. Take into account any growth or weight gain that might happen and it is a good idea to add an extra twenty percent to your weight. It is also important to honestly assess your weight, because not using a stair lift that is rated for your weight can put you at serious risk of injury.

Those that choose to install a stair lift on their own, can usually get it up and running in a few hours, but if you don't feel comfortable doing the installation on your own, most dealers can arrange a professional installation that is well priced.

A stair lift will reduce the risk of falling on the stairs, so it is perhaps one of the best ways to decrease the chance of injury or death on the stairs.