Not every home is easy to navigate, especially if it was built and designed decades ago. Doorsteps, tight room spaces, and steep stairs can all make living difficult for someone who needs easy access. Today, we expect homes to be accessible to everyone, and the responsibility falls on architects.
However, while a home’s structure relies upon quality architecture, you can make your home more accessible for loved ones with disabilities. Install a stair lift to help your loved one move upstairs with ease.
If you do choose to purchase a stair lift, you’ll need to find quality manufacturers that you can trust. It’s also important to do your research so that you pick a model with a warranty, installation, and maintenance services all covered. Check out the guide to choosing stair lifts at https://www.jamesonmedical.com/stair-lifts for more info on these details. Otherwise, jumpstart your research with these 4 things to consider so that your stair lift is safe, stylish, and accessible to your loved one.
1. Stair lift size
Considering the size of a stair lift is of key importance. An oversized product or device will look clunky and misplaced in your home and will likely be less functional. Finding a lift that will sit snug in the space of your home and doesn’t take up too much room on the stairs is the best option to aim for. An oversized lift will just get in the way, and so you want to aim for a lift that fits in smoothly instead.
Making sure your stair lift is fitted well is another important factor to consider. Otherwise, you’ll have a machine that’s inconvenient and unattractive.
2. Indoor or Outdoor?
Not all stair lifts have to lead to the second floor. If your home has steps leading up to the main entrance, it’s possible to place a stair lift outside. This way, your loved one can travel in and out as they please without your help.
3. Design
Shape and style are important for a stair lift. Why have a boring, plain lift when you could have something unique and personal?
Instead of picking basic white coloring for your home design, choose an interesting color that you like. A boring chair won’t make a nice addition to your home, and your stair lift will look out of place. Why not make it into a feature instead? You could even order a white model and paint it pink! It will make the stair lift look less like a clinical tool and more like an organic part of the home.
4. Features
Mobility and function are basic things to look out for, but features come as a bonus:
- Does your chair lift swivel and change height?
- Can the chair move at different speeds?
- Does it have a special seat warming setting?
The answers to these questions are what might help you choose one stair lift over another choice on the market. If your loved one would prefer the warming seat, go with that – they’ll be more comfortable and feel better about using their lift.
Bottom Line
If you are installing a lift for a loved one without help, then be sure to take the correct measurements and decide where you want to place it before you buy it.
?Whatever you do, make sure your model of choice works as a functional, easy access mechanism that also blends into your home. You want to pick out a chair that is comfortable and efficient so that you get the best out of the product you buy. It’s that simple!
