According to the National Safety Council, half of all accidents happen at home. Of these accidents, falls are the most common type of accident and they most often occur on the stairs.

Accidental falls anywhere can cause great injury, but a fall on the stairs can easily result in a serious injury or even a fatality. Seniors are most at risk for a fall and as a result of diseases like osteoporosis, which affects bone density and causes bones to become more brittle, even a small low impact fall can cause a serious injury.

To help prevent falls, many seniors turn to a special type of lifting device called a stair lift. Stair lifts can easily be used by most seniors and remove the need to worry about walking up or down the stairs. This is because when a stair lift is used, the lift does all the work. It carries its occupant safely up the stairs and back down again, so the likelihood of a fall is greatly reduced.

The most common type of stair lift, which is found in over 90% of all homes with stair lifts, is a sitting stair lift. Often called a stair chair, these lifts allow the individual to remain seated as they move up the staircase. Chairs of all different sizes and shapes are available. Many offer extra wide chairs that are reinforced for durability.

Some of the chairs used are made completely out of plastic. These provide a very modern clean look and are very easy to clean. Others are fabric covered and usually present the buyer with several different fabrics to choose from. The fabric covered ones also include some padding, but the amount of padding depends on the model. When choosing a fabric covered one, there is usually an option for a vinyl covering. The advantage to a vinyl chair covering is that it can be easily cleaned.

The other type of stair lift is the standing stair lift, which is far less common. It requires that the person using it remains in an upright position, so a much stronger sense of balance is required to use these devices. Most stair chairs include seat belts or have them as options, but a standing lift will not. Instead of a chair, these standing lifts, which are called perch lifts, use a small platform on which the rider will stand on. Some also provide a place you can lean against, but it is not as secure as a stair chair.

In almost all cases it is better to go with a stair chair. This will provide the most safety and security. Unless a medical condition, such as knee replacement surgery, prevents a person from using a stair chair, they will be the best option.