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Stair Lifts
More people live longer today than any time
in the past, and most prefer to stay in the
home where they have lived for years. Unfortunately,
one of the challenges of aging is declining
physical ability, and for those living in
the same two story house in which they raised
their family, the daily treks from upstairs
bedroom to downstairs living space can be
a real obstacle. You can eliminate the struggle
and the potential danger of climbing and
descending stairs with a stairway lift.
Stairway lifts are not like elevators. Instead, they are chairs mounted on a track
beside the stairs in your home
and travel
along the stairway above the
steps. When
buying a stair lift, look for
these features:
- Folding seats so that the chair lift does
not block the stairway for others. Make sure
the capacity is adequate for your needs.
- Easy access getting in and out of chair,
taking in account any disabilities the users
may have.
- A simple control that will be easy to use.
Consider wireless or key locks in addition
to a wall switch if appropriate. Variable
speed control may also be important if there
is a difference in preferences among those
who will use it or abrupt changes in direction
as the stairs wind or turn corners. Also
check that the motion up or down the glide
will stop if there is an obstruction on the
track or stairs.
- Fit to your stairs. A straight run of stairs
is simple, but curves or landings require
special guides and lifts.
- Folding or retracting tracks if your stairs
project into the hall or room where the track
will not be up against a wall.
- Outdoor certification if you intend to use
it on a back porch or patio.
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