Stair Chair Lift

One of the most useful and convenient of all handicap mobility and accessibility aids ever invented after the wheelchair has to be the stair chair lift. This is a device that opens up an entire house to its occupant where their ability to climb stairs is severely degraded or completely impaired. So if you are having difficulties in climbing your stairs and don't have any assistance, this article may be of interest to you.

They are not a new invention, having been created in the early 20th century so have been around for almost a hundred years and in that time have not really changed in basic design apart from efficiency and cosmetic modifications and improvements. The device is simple in that it is made up of a rail that is fixed to the wall side of the flight of stairs along which the chair module runs along up and down the length of the stairs. An electric motor provides the drive and either a chain or belt drive system pulls the chair along the rail on runners.

How Does it Work?

The chair itself on modern systems is comfortable with padded seat, arm rests and back. The control is a simple lever that starts the chair going either up or down so anyone, even those with reduced mobility in their hands can easily operate it. The chair operating position is not fixed, but swivels to face the person getting whether at the top or bottom of the stairs for ease of getting on. Then it swivels ninety degrees so that the back of the chair is to the wall for the most comfortable and safe feeling ride as the chair glides up or down the flight of stairs. When it reaches the end of its travel, the chair swivels a further ninety degrees to face the position of alighting to make it easy and completely safe to get off.

Stair Lift Maintenance

There is very little that can go wrong with the residential stair lift and they are very low maintenance apart from the occasional clean. The electric motor will run for many years as long as the home stair lift is used according to the manufacturer's instructions and not abused in any way such as allowing children to play on it and trying to overload it by several all getting on at the same time. It is neither a toy, nor a plaything and should only be used by the person it is installed for.

Stair Chair Lift Installation

Installation should always be carried out by the manufacturer's own installers to comply with the warranty and to ensure that quality work is carried out. It may be cheaper to get a handyman in to install a unit purchased from a hardware superstore, but there is always the risk that a first rate job is not done with the subsequent potential for accident or breakdown due to unqualified work being carried out. This is a serious consideration and it is better to pay the extra for peace of mind and to ensure safety and compliance with manufacturer's warranties.

A home stairlift will bring its owner great pleasure by being once again able to access the upper floor(s) of their home that they may have been prevented from using due to the inability to safely climb the stairs. It provides total access to all areas of their home and they can use the stairs once more in comfort and with dignity that is the very least one should expect from their own home.

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