Stairlifts have been around for quite some time now and are known by a few different names, like stair chairs or stairway lifts. The design varies a bit depending on the manufacturer, but the basic functionality is the same, involving a system that carries the user up the stairs, so that they do not need to walk. The name stair chair became popular, because the majority of stairlifts use a chair that carries the user up the stairway and, although this is the most common and safest type of stairlift, there are a few types of platform lifts.

The platform lifts are generally used in conjunction with a wheelchair or other mobility vehicle, but a smaller standing stairlift, called a perch lift, is also available. In most stairlifts that are used to move wheelchairs up the stairs, the entire unit is rather large. As a result, these types of stairlifts are most often seen in commercial settings, such as a school or other public area. They are typically designed with wheelchair users in mind, including grab bars around the unit, but most also include a small fold-out chair.

Selecting a stairlift often comes down to a few different factors, with cost being one of the biggest obstacles. Unlike a personal elevator, stairlift kits are available that can be retro-fitted on many types of staircases for a fraction of the cost and without significant home improvement costs. A straight staircase offers the least expensive option and, as you can see, installing a stairlift kit for a straight staircase is not terribly difficult. The basic process involves securing a piece of aluminum track to the stairs, which will usually come in a few sections, then putting the chair or platform together and attaching it to the track. While the average do-it-yourselfer can easily install this type of stairlift, a non-straight staircase sometimes requires a special type of lifting device!

Truly curved staircases are not very common. The majority of people with a non-straight staircase have square like bends, typically one or more 90 degree bends, sometimes with a platform. This can present a few difficulties and at minimum means a special, read more expensive, type of stairlift kit is needed. Some of the popular straight stairlift resellers, like Ameriglide, will attempt to convince you that installing two straight stairlifts is a good idea, but this means the user will have to get up and move to a new stairlift, sometimes for only a step or two. Instead, it is better, although sometimes a little more expensive to find a do-it-yourself kit that is designed to work with this sort of bend in the staircase. With that said, those who have a truly curved staircase, with circular bends, will likely need a custom built stairlift that can be very expensive and ends up only working on that specific staircase, resulting in a reduced resale value.

For those who have difficulty walking, and seniors are not the only to fall into this group, a stairlift is one way that accessibility can be improved at home. These sorts of lifting aids can not only make the home safer, but also easier to use and for many standard stairways, there are inexpensive do it yourself options available.

While both interior and exterior staircases must be considered, many homes today, especially those that were not designed with accessibility in mind, have a front staircase or porch that can be very difficult to navigate for those with difficulty walking or people who use wheelchairs

Utilizing a ramp or vertical platform lift is one of the most common ways of making an exterior staircase easier to use.

The alternative is to install a special type of elevator, called a vertical platform lift or porch lift. These devices, while very convenient, can be rather expensive. Porch lifts work by raising and lowering the wheelchair user vertically next to the staircase.

Using a Wheelchair Ramp on Exterior Staircases

Ramps, which are often referred to as wheelchair ramps even though many people who use walkers or simply can not get around easily also use them, will often provide the most cost effective means of providing full access to a home.

Many people opt for a wood style wheelchair ramp, which is easy to build and relatively inexpensive. Most building contractors who are qualified to build a deck could also build a wheelchair ramp, but there are a few concerns, such as the degree of the slope on the ramp, so local building codes should be consulted. Also, especially for those who are using electric wheelchairs, the ramp must be engineered to support the entire weight of the user and their mobility device.

A number of modular metal ramps are also available, however these can be very expensive. For small porches, which are only a few steps, a rather inexpensive metal ramp is available, which basically is just placed on top of the steps forming a very short bridge between the ground and the porch.

Disadvantages and Considerations when Installing a Wheelchair Ramp

One disadvantage of wheelchair ramps is that they, by necessity, often end up taking up a big part of the yard. As a general rule, the higher the porch, the longer the ramp, so the length of the ramp is directly related to the height of the homes front porch.

Usually, the ramp doubles back at least once in front of the home, rather than extended straight out, which allows the user to enter the ramp closer to the home in the driveway, while also preserving a larger chunk of the front yard.

Another consideration when installing this type of ramp is the cost. While a wood ramp requires a bit more skill and work to build, it is rather inexpensive. A modular metal ramp, on the other hand, ends up being very expensive, as they are divided into sections and you must pay for each section. Depending on how high the front porch is, this can end up being very expensive, more so than simply buying a vertical platform lift.

However, while wood is usually cheaper, aside perhaps from labor costs, it will not last as long as a metal wheelchair ramp.

Advantages of Using a Wheelchair Ramp

One of the major advantages of a wheelchair ramp is that it is very simple and, if a wooden one is used, quite cost effective and relatively easy to build.

Wheelchair ramps also offer a very simple design that has no mechanical parts. As long as quality materials are used, it will last for a very long time and there is little that can break on it. Proper supports, pressure treated wood, to prevent rot, and a quality design will mean the wheelchair ramp will last for many years and require little in the means of maintenance.

A vertical platform lift will, conversely, require regular maintenance and, because it is mechanical and uses an electric motor to operate, there are a number of things that can break on it, not to mention losses of electricity* that could leave the user without a means of entering the home safely.

*Many porch lifts offer a battery backup, which should function to move the lift a few times in the event of an emergency.

One means of preventing accidents on the stairs is to simply avoid using them all together, however this is not very practical. Instead, it is better to focus on making the home more accessible.

Determining What the Senior Needs

Deciding on how best to improve accessibility on the stairs for the elderly largely depends on the abilities of the senior. For example, with someone who just has limited vision, you would probably take different steps than with someone who has advanced rheumatoid arthritis. On the same token, a person who uses a wheelchair will need a special solution compared to an individual with joint issues.

As a result, it is first important to identify and understand the limitations of the person who will be using the stairs. Once you have an idea of the seniors needs and abilities, you can begin tailor fitting a solution.

Improving Stair Safety: Limited Vision

For those with limited vision, a big part of increasing staircase safety will often revolve on ensuring that the steps can easily be seen, as well as making sure that safety devices like the banister are in place and tripping obstacles are removed.

A good place to start is by adding a textured grip tape to each step. This allows the senior to be able to feel when they are on the step, as well as providing extra traction. It can also be a good idea to go with a tape that uses a high-contrast color, so that the edge of the step can be easily picked out.

Adequate lighting is also very important, as is ensuring that the light switch is easy to reach and use. It is a good idea to make sure that a switch is present at both the top and bottom of the stairway, so no matter what side of the staircase the senior is on, the light can be turned on. Using a wide flat switch, as opposed to the very small traditional light switch is also a good idea, especially for seniors with arthritis, who might find it difficult to grasp a traditional light switch.

In addition to making the steps easier to see, it is a good idea to make sure there is a banister on both sides of the staircase and that it is at an acceptable height for the senior. This may mean deviating from standard building code, to meet the specific needs of the homeowner.

It is also essential to remove tripping hazards, such as loose rugs, potted plants, or other objects that are close to the staircase and could present an obstacle.

Improving Stair Safety: Limited Mobility

Often, limited mobility and limited vision, go hand in hand, but this is not always the case. For seniors who are unable to easily bend their knees or otherwise have difficulty walking, using the stairway safely can often be quite difficult. In these types of situations, it may be a good idea to invest in a lifting aid, like a stair lift.

A stair lift will ensure that the senior can safely travel up the stairs, by litterally carrying them up and down the stairway. Most utilize a chair lift system, which allows the user to sit down as they are moved along the staircase. However, standing stair lifts are an option as well, but should typically only be used if they are required for a medical reason, such as after a hip replacement surgery.

Installing a stair lift is something a homeowner can often do on their own, as a number of do-it-yourself stairway lift kits are available. When choosing a stair lift, it is important to take into account the size of the rider, as well as the type of staircase. Both of these factors will play a role in determining what type of stair lift will work in the home. As an example, a staircase that is shaped like an “L” will require a special sort of stair lift,while a straight staircase can use a standard stair chair.

Improving Stair Safety: Wheelchair Users

For wheelchair users, it is often necessary to use a vertical platform lift or an inclined platform lift when accessing areas with staircases. Both of these devices provide a platform for the wheelchair user to drive onto, which is then moved up the stairway.

The difference between a vertical platform lift and an inclined platform lift is that an inclined platform lift will move along the length of the staircase, in a similar direction to the staircase banister. A vertical platform lift, on the other hand, moves straight up and down, sort of like an elevator. As a result, you will usually use an inclined platform lift on an inside staircase and a vertical platform lift on an outside staircase, although this is not always the case.

Another option is to use a tracked staircase climber, which uses a special track system to move a wheelchair up a flight of stairs. These are often self contained units, which allow a wheelchair to be attached to the device, which then uses its tracked system to climb the stairs. A Wheelchair Stair Climber can be a great tool, because it can be easily transported to use with almost any staircase and does not require any installation. These are often used in schools and other areas, where a wheelchair lift is needed periodically on a number of different staircases.

One of the most important factors when trying to reduce the risk of a staircase fall is the ability of the senior to use the stairs. In some-cases, often as the result of a combination of disorders like glaucoma, osteoporosis, or senior rheumatism, the senior can simply not safely use the staircase on their own anymore. It is no coincidence that so many fall related injuries occur on the stairs and determining if the senior will be safely able to use the stairs should always be the first step when increasing stairway safety.

Don’t Just Meet the Building Code, Exceed It!

However, it is also very important to consider the general condition and safety of the stairs, taking note of not only whether the staircase is in good repair or not, but also whether it exceeds safety standards. For instance, most building codes require that there is at least one handrail on the staircase, but studies have found that having a handrail on either side of the stairs dramatically reduces the risk of a stairway fall. In this way, exceeding the building code can often significantly reduce the risk of a fall.

While considering what type of handrail to use on the stairs or whether the current handrail is safe, it is important to keep in mind that the banister must be easy to grab by the senior in the event of an emergency or to keep their balance as they walk up the stairs. To that end, a banister that is too big to easily wrap ones hand around or that is made out of rough material that is painful to grab, can actually increase the risk of a fall, despite still passing inspection.

Let There Be Light!

Making sure that the senior can easily see the steps and the surrounding area is also very important, so having adequate lighting is essential to preventing staircase falls.

In addition to simply having a bright and clean burning light, it is also very important that the light can be easily used by the senior. So, there should be a light-switch on both the top landing and bottom landing of the staircase. In this manner, the senior will never be in a position where they must climb the stairs in the dark to reach the light-switch.

Of course, it is also a good idea to provide some sort of emergency lighting, so in the event of a power outage, the stairs will still be lit. Night lights can work, with some models automatically running on battery power when the lights go out, including the kind that double as a flashlight. However, make sure that the night-light provides enough light to use the stairs safely.

Make the Stairs Safer and Easier to Use

Along the same lines as meeting building codes, it is also important that you maintain these codes and keep the staircase in good repair. A loose board or piece of molding can create a huge tripping hazard, so making sure regular maintenance is preformed is essential.

It is also important to remove tripping hazards from the stairs, such as a purse on one of the steps or a child’s toy. However, other factors like a loose rug on the top landing, can also present a tripping risk. In the case of the loose carpet, it is possible the carpet may slide out from under the feet of the senior or the corner may turn up, increasing the risk of a fall. The same is true of carpet runners, which are not fully secured to the stairs.

Don’t Just Leave it Like it Was, Add to the Stairs

While some of the above tips focus more on working with the existing structure of the stairs, there are some things you can add to the staircase to make it safer.

Perhaps the least expensive option is to add grip-tape to the treads of the steps. This can server several purposes, by making the steps easier to feel for the senior, as well as increasing their traction, which reduces the risk of a fall. If you use brightly colored tape, you can add another level of protection, by making it easier for the senior to tell when one step starts and the other ends. It is a good idea to use separate colors for the top and bottom step, so they can always tell when the staircase ends.

Using a stair lift is another way to make the stairs safer. A stair lift is used to carry the senior up or down the steps, using a plastic chair or small platform. The style varies, but most use a tracked system that runs the entire length of the staircase, moving the senior smoothly along the track. The stair lift, or stair chair, does most of the work, with the senior only needing to get into and out of the chair, with the chair pivoting away from the stairs when transferring into or out of it.

There are several reasons for this, but the added difficulty of navigating not just one step, but usually at least 10, is one of the main reasons that falls on the stairs are so common for seniors. Also, due to the nature of the staircase, there is a much higher risk that if a fall occurs the senior will fall a greater distance and hit a hard surface, which is why it is very common for falls on the stairs to result in broken hips or knees.

In a home with stairs, it is very important to determine what sort of risk is presented to the senior, as well as making an effort to help reduce the risk of a fall occurring. One of the first steps should be evaluating the seniors own abilities to use the stairs, as factors such as Alzheimer’s or arthritis, can greatly increase the risk that a fall will occur. Limited eye site can also greatly increase the risk of a fall, as it is easy to miss a step or not realize you are at the end of the stairs, causing a fall.

It is also very important to take time to evaluate the safety and condition of the staircase itself. A staircase that is in poor repair can be just as dangerous to a senior, so it is very important to watch out for loose boards or uneven steps, which might increase the risk of an accident.

Having a solid handrail can also reduce the risk of a fall, with dual handrails, one on each side, being shown to be much safer for the elderly. The handrail should also be easy to grasp, so it should not be too big or made of very rough material.

For seniors with limited vision, adding a very bright high contrast grip tape to the steps can also be a good idea. By alternating colors, it can make it much easier to tell where one step ends and the next begins, as well as providing a rough surface that provides more traction. This is where the gritty grip tape comes in. It can also be a good idea to use a separate color tape at the top and bottom step, so it is easier to tell when the staircase ends.

Another option, to improve staircase safety and usability, is to install a stair lift. The stair lift is a tool that actually carries the senior up or down the stairs, most often using a simple plastic chair and track system. Stair lifts can be attached to most staircases without any major modification and provide a motorized lifting system to effortlessly move the senior up the stairway.

Since the staircase presents such a risk to the elderly, it is important to make using it as safe and easy as possible. However, in some cases, often due to the limited abilities of the senior, it may be better to avoid the stairs all together. In cases such as this, even using a lifting aid like the stair chair, can not be preformed safely, so it is better to adjust the lifestyle of the senior, so they can still preform all essential daily activities, without relying on the stairs.

One of the reasons that elderly people are at such a risk for serious injuries on the stairs is because many seniors have calcium deficiencies, referred to as osteoporosis, which causes the bones to become much more brittle. As a result, even very small falls can result in a broken bone, with hip and knee fractures being very common. So, even simply falling onto one of the steps can easily result in a broken bone, while a fall down the entire staircases often results in much more serious injuries.

For a senior, recovering from these types of injuries can have a major impact on their life and many times necessitates a change in care or a move to an assisted living facility.

Using a Stair Lift

To help prevent falls on the stairs, many seniors choose to install a stair lift, which is a type of home medical equipment designed to bring a single person up and down the stairs safely and easily. Stair lifts are sort of like having your own residential escalator, except instead of the staircases treads moving, as they do on an escalator, a stair lift uses a small plastic chair to move its occupant up and down the stairway.

Most stair lifts require that an aluminum track is attached to the side of the staircases, although in areas with very limited space or on curved staircases, the metal track is attached to the wall instead of the steps. An electric motor propels a small chair along the aluminum track, moving slowly up or down the stairs carrying a single rider. The motor is controlled by a simple remote control or by a hand-control that is attached to the arm of the stair lift’s chair.

By pushing the up or down button, the stair lift will move along the track, with most using a constant pressure switch that requires that the user keep the button depressed the entire time the stair lift is in motion. Since the stair lift will only move while the button is being pressed, there is no risk of the lift moving if the button is accidentally pressed or if something happens while the lift is in motion and the senior drops the hand control.

While the majority of stair lifts use a plastic chair to transport the senior along the staircase, which is why they are often called stair chairs, some stair lifts are designed so that the rider can remain standing as they move along the stairway. Standing stair lifts, or perch lifts, are not as safe as stair chairs, but they do work better on areas with limited space or if the senior is unable to sit, such as after a hip replacement surgery. However, in most cases, especially if the senior suffers from arthritis or some sort of dementia, it is better to use a stair chair.

Stair Lifts vs Residential Elevators

A stair lift, with the exception of certain types of curved stair lifts, is generally only a fraction of the cost of a residential elevator and can be installed without major modification to the homes existing structure. However, a standard stair lift can not offer the same functionality that an elevator can offer, as elevators can typically be used by multiple people at once, including those who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

One of the reasons that residential elevators are so much more expensive than stair lifts is that an elevator uses a vertical shaft to move between floors. Many people choose to convert a closet into the elevator shaft, as this often provides an unobstructed vertical area between floors. However, even when converting a closet into the shaft, there is still significant home remodeling required. The installation is also usually out of reach of the average homeowner, while most stair lifts can be installed without too much difficulty.

Inclined Platform Lifts

Inclined platform lifts form sort of a middle ground between elevators and stair lifts. They use a similar design to that of a stair lift, with a metal track running the length of the staircase. However, instead of a small chair or perch, a much larger platform is provided, which is large enough for a wheelchair or mobility scooter to be driven onto the platform.

While the basic design of an inclined platform lift shares similarities with a stair chair, the unit must support considerably more weight and a great deal more strain than a stair lift. As a result, the metal track is much larger and typically attaches to the wall of the stairwell.

Unlike other types of wheelchair lifts, inclined platform lifts move along the length of the staircase, instead of vertically like an elevator would. This makes it much easier to install it on a staircases, without having to build a shaft or take up space next to the staircase landing.

Inclined platform lifts are less expensive than elevators and can provide a means of allowing full access to a home or building for those who use mobility vehicles, but they take up more space than stair lifts do, so will not always work on residential staircases.

There are a lot of different types of stair lifts, so it is important to select a stair lift that will fit your needs. The three basic types of stair lifts, standing stair lifts, stair chairs, and incline platform lifts, are described below.

Standing Stair Lifts

Standing stair lifts, which are typically called perch lifts, provide a small platform that the user can stand on to be moved up the staircase. This platform, or perch, is typically only a few square feet, so it is large enough for a single person to stand on, but not much more. In addition to handrests, some perch lifts also include a mini-bench that the user can lean against as they move up the staircase.

One of the main advantages of a perch lift is that it does not take up a great deal of space on the staircase, so on very narrow stairways, a perch lift may be a good choice. Standing stair lifts are also sometimes used by those who have had a very serious operation, such as hip replacement, that makes it impossible for them to safely or easily get into and out of a chair.

However, since the user is standing as the stairlift moves up the stairway, there is an increased risk of injury. This is especially true of seniors with poor vision, limited balance, or who have dementia.

Sitting Stair Lifts

Sitting Stair Lifts, or stair chairs, are the most common type of stair lift. A plastic chair is provided for the user to sit in as they are carried up or down the staircase. Some chairs offer improved padding and expanded back support, while others are simply a plastic one piece chair.

Stair chairs take up more space than perch lifts do, but since the user is seated while using it, there is less risk of a fall when using a standing stairlift. To help make it easier to transfer into and out of a stair chair, the seat can be swiveled around, allowing the user to enter or exit the chair away from the stairs.

Incline Platform Lifts

Incline platform lifts are similar to perch lifts, in that they provide a platform that moves up and down the stairs. However, the platform is much larger and intended to be used by those who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters. These are sometimes called Wheelchair Lifts, however it is important to note that there is a difference between vertical platform lifts and incline platform lifts.

On a vertical platform lift, the wheelchair lift rises straight up and down, much like an elevator. This means that it can only be used on certain types of staircases and must be installed next to the staircase landing. These are often used on the front porch of a home, which is why they are called porch lifts.

However, an incline platform lift moves along the stairs length in the same way a stair lift does, attached to a metal track. In addition to providing guard rails for those in wheelchairs, many also provide a small fold out bench. One drawback of an inclined platform lift is that they take up a great deal of space on the staircase, so often work best on commercial staircases.

The stair lift is a powerful tool that is designed to safely move a senior up and down the stairs. Most stair lifts are attached to the steps of the staircase and allow for the senior to sit in a chair as they are carried up the staircase. These types of stair lifts are called stair chairs and there are several DIY Stair Lift Kits available that can be installed quickly and easily by the homeowner.

While stair chairs are the most common type of stair lift, standing stair lifts are also available. Standing stair lifts, or perch lifts, work in a manner similar to a stair chair, except that they provide a small platform to stand on in place of the chair. A perch lift is not quite as safe as stair lifts that use chairs, as the senior must remain standing as they are carried up the staircase. While not quite as safe as other types of stair lifts, perch lifts can be a good choice for those recovering from a major surgery, such as a hip replacement, which makes it impractical or dangerous to try to sit down. Perch lifts can also be a good choice for homes that have a very narrow staircase.

For homeowners that have a straight staircase or for an “L” shaped staircase, which is one that has 90 degree angles, a number of easy to install stair lift kits are available. Typically, these stair lifts are installed with a metal track on the steps of the staircase. The chair or small platform than moves along this track, which spans the entire length of the stairway.

In homes that do not have a straight stairway and require a curved stair lift, there are not really any do-it-yourself stair lifts available. This is because a curved stair lift must be custom fit to the individual staircase and will also be professionally installed. This makes it much more expensive and the build time can often last several months. For this reason, a Residential Elevator is often a better choice than a curved stair lift, as there usually isn’t a significant price difference and it has a much higher resale value. This is because unlike stair stair lifts, which will work on any similar staircase, a curved stair lift will only fit on a stairway that has an identical curve, greatly reducing the ability of the homeowner to resell the device.

Using a stair lift is a great way to make the stairs safer and much easier to use for the elderly. There are several popular brands of stair lifts, such as Summit Stair Lifts and Bruno Stair Lifts, with these types of safety aids vastly improving safety at home and on the stairs.

Often, the inability to safely use the stairs is a leading motivator when a senior moves to a retirement community, as most assisted living facilities allow their residents full access to the facility, without having to use the stairs. However, since moving to a retirement home represents such a major lifestyle change, let alone monthly cost, many opt to remain in their home, while finding a way to use the stairs safely.

One of the most common ways of allowing a senior, or other individual with limited mobility, to use the stairs is by installing a stair lift. Stair lifts, often referred to as stair chairs, are almost like having a personal escalator installed on your stairway and are designed to carry an individual safely along their staircase. However, where a personal escalator would require a major renovation to the home, a stair lift can be installed with standard tools by most experienced Do-It-Yourselfers. Of course, even if you were to opt for a professional stair chair installation, it would still be much less expensive than installing an escalator, or for that matter an elevator.

Stair lifts work by moving slowly along a metal track and are powered by an electric motor. Depending on the type of stair lift, it may run off of rechargeable batteries or directly from the household power. Battery Powered Stair Chairs are more expensive than AC Stair Chairs, but they offer an uninterruptible power supply. This means that even a storm were to knock out power to the home, the battery powered stair lift could still be used, although these types of stair chairs are more expensive than other models.

The chair of the stair lift, which is where they get the name stair chair, provides a safe place for the user to sit as they are carried up the staircase. Most offer a folding seat, which helps reduce the amount of room the unit takes up when not in use, as well as many stair lifts that offer extra padding.

The Stair Lift’s seat is attached to a metal track that spans the length of the staircase. It is usually made out of lightweight aluminum, which is very strong. The metal track is attached to the steps of the staircase and the motor either uses a geared system to crawl up a geared track or uses a cable pull system.

Controlling the stair chair is done with a simple hand control that is either attached to the armrest of the seat or wired to a simple hand control. Multiple wireless controllers are also provided, which can act as call units for the top and bottom of the stairs. As a safety feature, the stair lift will only move while the button is being pressed. The constant pressure switch ensures that accidentally brushing up against the stair lift controls will not start it moving. Most also include a collision detection sensor in the footrest, which stops the stair lift if it encounters something on the stairway.

Using a stair chair is a great way to help make the stairs easier to use, without sacrificing independence or functionality, as even with a stair chair installed, it is still possible to regularly use the stairway. These types of home medical equipment also provide a cost effective alternative to moving or installing an elevator.

Stair lifts have been around for awhile and were actually first developed more than eighty years ago, but the modern stair lift did not become popular until the 1990′s. A stair lift is used to move someone up or down the staircase, typically in a small plastic chair that moves along a metal track attached to the staircase.

The type of staircase determines what type of stair lift can be used, with special stair lifts needed for curved staircase, as well as ones that have one or more ninety degree bends.

In the case of the latter, staircases that have bends that make them “L” shaped, there are several do-it-yourself stair lift kits available. As with straight stair lifts, these DIY Stair Lift Kits are not as expensive as other lifts and easy to install.

Of course, most medical supply companies offer a professional stair lift installation service, but there are many kits available that can be installed with only normal tools and basic construction skills. The largest part of the stair lift installation is usually installing the metal track, which is attached either to the steps or the wall. Elevators, on the other hand, require a shaft between floors is built, as well as the lifting system safely secured in the ceiling, which is quite expensive.

In part, choosing between an electric stair lift, or an AC Stair Lift , and a Battery powered stair lift, or DC Stair Lift, comes down to cost, as DC Stair Lifts are more expensive. This is because a DC Stair Lift is powered off of a recharging battery, which will stay charged as long as the stair lift is plugged in. So, if there is a storm or the home looses power, a DC Stair Lift can still be used.

An AC Stair Lift is powered directly from the electrical outlet, so if the power goes out it will stop working. It ends up costing less than a DC Stair Lift and because there are no batteries to replace, there is a lower maintenance cost. However, not being able to use the stair lift in the event of an emergency does present a safety concern and is one of the reasons many people opt for a Battery Powered Stair Lift.

Unfortunately, stair lifts are one of the few devices not covered by Medicare. They are not considered durable medical equipment, which is a term used to describe things like wheelchairs and mobility scooters, but is instead classified as a home modification and not covered. This is similar to an elevator or the widening of doorways.

Stair lifts cost a lot less than an elevator and can often be installed easily by the homeowner. Since a simple hand control is used, most seniors do not have difficulty using them, but seat belts and shoulder restraints are also available for most stair lifts.