Stairs present a big challenge for many elderly people. Climbing and descending a staircase requires balance, agility, and strength, which puts uncomfortable pressure on joints and muscles.
Because of this, slips and falls are a risk, leading to potential injury as well as a rise in anxiety and fear. Loss of confidence can cause older individuals to give up using the stairs completely – losing access to the upper floors of their homes.
Stairlifts offer a practical, life-enhancing solution for elderly people with mobility challenges. They promote safety, independence, and renewed comfort.
Here, we uncover 5 big benefits of stairlifts for the elderly.
1. Preventing Falls & Injuries
Let’s start with the most obvious benefit. Stairlifts enable the stairs to be used safely.
Stairlifts are mechanical devices that transport users up and down a staircase along a rail fitted to the wall or along the stair treads. They tend to be battery-powered or use a low voltage if connected to the mains, meaning they don’t zap your electricity. And, contrary to popular belief, stairlifts for the elderly are also extremely quiet.
Here are some of the safety features of stairlifts for the elderly…
Swivel Seats
To prevent the user from needing to twist their body while getting on and off the chair, the seat itself will swivel away from the stairs at the top and bottom.
Seatbelts
Strapped in, users are protected from slipping off the chair and falling in transit.
Emergency Stop Buttons
In case of emergency, stairlifts for the elderly include an emergency stop button that is easily accessible when using the stairlift.
Soft Starts And Speed Control
Stairlifts are programmed to start and stop gently rather than shock the body abruptly.
2. Independence At Home
Requiring assistance to use the stairs in your own home can feel disempowering.
Stairlifts allow the elderly to navigate between floors without relying on others. They can also have a positive impact on mental well-being by reducing feelings of dependence and isolation.
What’s more, there’s a stairlift out there for every home. Stairlifts for the elderly can handle multi-level homes, narrow staircases, long staircases, corners and curves.
3. A Relaxing Ride
Though safety for older users is key, stairlifts for the elderly have been designed with comfort in mind. Older bodies can find solid, hard seats uncomfortable, so the seat and armrests are padded, and the movement of the stairlift is smooth and steady.
With a huge array of stairlifts available, you can choose one that matches your home decor preferences. Things have moved on from the typical old-fashioned stairlift! Modern stairlifts are sleek and stylish.
Easy to use and simple to control, stairlifts offer elderly users an enjoyable way to get around the house.
4. An Affordable Solution
Stairlifts aren’t as expensive as you might think. There are many affordable products and funding options available; you can read all about funding for adaptations in this blog.
Installing a stairlift can make it possible to keep living at home when using the stairs is painful, impossible and unsafe. It’s an investment, but buying and fitting a stairlift is much cheaper than moving house!
So what are the steps? How does fitting a stairlift work? Let’s find out.
Installing A Stairlift
The installation process for stairlifts is typically quick and straightforward.
1 – Consultation
Someone from the stairlift or adaptations company – like one of our friendly team – will visit you in your home to discuss your needs, take accurate measurements and assess the staircase.
2 – Your Options
Different models come with different features. Your options will be discussed with you so that you can choose a suitable stairlift that meets your needs and the nature of the staircase.
3 – Quote
At this stage, you will receive a quote based on your chosen stairlift and installation costs. If you accept the quote and your stairlift requires customisation, the measurements will be sent to the manufacturer so that they can create the perfect rail.
4 – Installation
Installation usually takes place within a couple of weeks of purchase. On the day…
- The rail is first installed along the staircase. This may be either along the tread or wall, depending on what has been agreed.
- Once in place, the carriage is attached and tested. This is the part that moves along the rail.
- Next, the seat, armrests, footrest, and controls are attached to the carriage, and the whole facility is tested for comfort and connected to its power source.
5 – Testing And Training
The installation team will test the stairlift to make sure it’s running as it should. Once it’s ready, it’s time to teach you how to use it! Practice runs are a great way of making sure the user is comfortable controlling the stairlift and getting on and off of the seat.
5. Improve Quality Of Life And Peace Of Mind
There’s no greater benefit than the feeling of security in your own home. Home should be a place of comfort, safety and independence. Installing a stairlift means elderly users can often continue living where they are rather than need to move.
Knowing that elderly individuals can get up and down the stairs in complete safety gives peace of mind to the whole family.
Living At Home Made Simple
Stairlifts provide safety and independence for the elderly and make extended family members feel at ease.
Want to offer renewed comfort for an elderly user living at home? Install a stairlift, and read our blog on home improvements for the elderly while you’re at it!