The stairs are something that you might take two steps at a time, but they can be very hard to use if you are mobility challenged. Those who are in wheelchairs or use mobility scooters might not be able to use them at all, and if you suffer from joint problems, like arthritis, it may be difficult and dangerous to use the stairs. There are two types of mobility aids that can make using the stairs safer and easier.

People who have arthritis or other illness might not be able to bend their knee. It can also be much harder to keep balanced if you have a neuromuscular disease. Falling down the stairs can often result in serious injury and is the leading reasons for the hospitalization of people over 65.

For these individuals a stair lift can be a great device. A stair lift is a special type of mobility aid that can carry a person up and down the stairs. A track system is installed onto the stairs and a ?car? is sent up and down the stairs. The car usually consists of a chair and an electrical motor. Some stair lifts use batteries to make certain that the unit will always work even if the power is out. The battery pack is also contained in the car in battery lifts. These types of lifts can be installed indoors and outdoors, but you need a special weather resistant stair lift if you intend to install it outdoors.

If you are in a wheelchair or use a mobility scooter, then you might not be able to use the stairs at all. This is not always an issue when away from the home; because United States business must ensure that they make their areas handicapped accessible. Around the home though the front steps often present a very real and hard to overcome challenge for people that use mobility vehicles.

A Vertical Platform Lift is one type of device that can be used to help bridge this gap. A vertical platform lift is a type of elevator that installs next to a set of stairs. Unlike an elevator you might find in a building, vertical platform lifts do not require you to build any special shaft and are self contained. They are often called porch lifts because they are most often used on the front steps of a house. The wheelchair or scooter is rolled onto the lifting platform and the porch lift then rises or lowers. They can support a good deal of weight and most support at least 500 pounds. Depending on the unit, some are capable of lifting distances of over 12 feet.

A vertical platform lift or a stair lift can be used to greatly improve the lives of those who are mobility challenged. They provide a great way to reduce the obstacle that the stairs present to many millions of people.