Preventing falls on the stairs is very important for seniors. Seniors are at a much higher risk of injury as a result of a fall and often it is much harder for a senior to recover from an injury like a broken leg or hip. Finding ways to prevent accidents is very important and around the home, a stair lift is used to reduce the risk of a fall.
Stair lifts were first developed in the early nineteen-twenties. They are designed to reduce the risk of a fall, because instead of having to walk up the stairs, a stair lift can actually carry a person safely to the top of the steps.
These lifting aids are generally installed directly onto the staircase. Using strong mounting brackets, a metal track is bolted onto the steps. These can be used on wooden staircases or those made out of other materials, such as concrete or stone. However, special screws are required for use with non-wood surfaces.
The car of the stair lift is the part that actually carries the lifts occupant up the stairs. The car is attached to the track and moves along it very slowly. Usually, most stair lifts use a chair to support their occupant. The chair has a foot rest, which usually has a sensor in it that can detect objects, like a purse, on the stairs, which could interfere with the movement of the lift.
While almost all stair lifts use a chair, some people are not able to easily bend their knees though, so the traditional stair chair might not be the best choice for everyone. As an alternative, a special type of stair lift called a perch lift is available. The occupant of a perch lift stands upright as they are carried up the stairs. These lifts fill a specific need for those with medical conditions that prevent them from using a stair chair. Usually though, since they require the occupant to remain balanced, these lifts are only used by people with specific medical conditions, such as knee replacement surgery. In most cases, it is better to use a stair chair.
There are two main types of stair lifts that are available. An AC powered stair lift receives its power directly from the wall. A DC powered stair lift, or Battery Powered, still plugs into the wall, but it is powered by a rechargeable battery. An AC lift is a little less expensive, but if the power goes out, the lift will not work. A battery powered lift is a little more expensive though and the battery will require changing every twelve to eighteen months.
Those that are over sixty-five are at a much higher risk of severe injury or even death on the stairs. To prevent accidents, many choose to avoid using the stairs whenever possible, but around the home, this is not so easy. To help combat the risk of severe injury or death, stair lifts are very popular around the home.
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