| Mobility and independent living are very closely | | | | wider to accommodate a stair lift system. |
| intertwined. For those who are disabled by injury, | | | | Some version of stair lifts have a chair mounted onto |
| disease, or simple aging, tasks that most of us take for | | | | a belt housed along the rail. It moves a chair up or |
| granted, like rising from a chair and climbing a staircase | | | | down the stairs in a "conveyor belt" manner. Still other |
| can be serious challenges. But there are special aids | | | | versions have a rack and pinion system. In this design, |
| designed to improve mobility and thus maintain a | | | | the chair is mounted to a pinion that has several teeth. |
| certain degree of independence. These aids also help | | | | The pinion rolls along the rack, which interconnects with |
| prevent serious injury. A simple fall that a younger adult | | | | the pinion teeth like a gear, providing secure transport |
| can "shake off" can cause serious injury in a disabled | | | | along the rail. |
| or elderly person. | | | | While many stair lift systems are wired directly into the |
| To help disabled people maintain as much | | | | home electrical system, some are battery powered, |
| independence as possible, there are chairs that assist | | | | and some are AC powered with DC back-up |
| people in standing up, walking aids, and extended | | | | capability. DC powered stair lifts will automatically |
| graspers that allow access to things that might | | | | charge when the system isn't in use, meaning it will |
| otherwise be out of reach. Another very valuable aid | | | | work during a power cut. |
| to independence is a stair lift, which can allow a | | | | Weight capacity varies from model to model, but most |
| disabled person to remain in a house with a staircase | | | | can carry a maximum of 120 kg, or around 270 lbs., |
| and make things easier on other members of the | | | | although there are systems designed for people larger |
| household who would otherwise have to engage in | | | | than that. While stair lifts are expensive, they are |
| serious physical demands to help the person up the | | | | certainly less expensive than assisted living facilities. In |
| stairs. | | | | the U.S. Medicare does not cover the installation of |
| Generally speaking, stair lifts run on a track that is fitted | | | | stair lifts. In some states, Medicaid will pay for part of a |
| directly to the stair treads. A motor pulls the stair lift | | | | stair lift if it is prescribed by a doctor and purchased |
| chair along the tracks. Installation of a stair lift requires | | | | through an approved dealer. Grants, loans, and dealer |
| a couple of hours for a straight stair case, or | | | | financing are some of the ways people pay for the |
| somewhat longer for curved stair cases. When not in | | | | installation of stair lifts. |
| use, the stair-lift remains parked at the top or bottom | | | | People who are elderly or disabled can maintain much |
| of the staircase. Many stair lifts come with a foot rest, | | | | more independence of daily living if they have basic |
| and some come with safety belts and controls for | | | | assistance from devices like stair lifts and lift chairs. |
| speed and direction. Most of them fold up flat against | | | | While such aids to everyday living can be expensive, |
| the wall, leaving the staircase usable to everyone else. | | | | for an elderly or disabled person who relishes their |
| A staircase generally needs to be 24 inches wide or | | | | independence, they can be a priceless investment. |