| Stair lifts are chairs that run on tracks attached to stair | | | | on a belt. Stair lifts are a big expense, but they can |
| treads that lift a person up or down the stairs safely. | | | | add immeasurably to the quality of life of the person |
| They are an enormous help to someone living alone | | | | who has trouble with stairs, and to the quality of life to |
| who has trouble navigating stairs, and for those who | | | | a caregiver or other member of the household who |
| live with a spouse, relative or other loved one who is | | | | had been tasked with helping the disabled person |
| not capable of the hard physical work of carrying the | | | | navigate the stairs. |
| person up and down the stairs. A stair lift usually | | | | In fact, the best time to add a stair lift system may be |
| benefits more people than just the person who uses it. | | | | before it is actually a requirement. There are plenty of |
| There are a number of reasons why people have | | | | seniors who may not be disabled, but who experience |
| trouble going up and down staircases: arthritis, diabetic | | | | intermittent conditions, such as an arthritic knee or hip, |
| foot complications, neurological conditions, or a decline | | | | that make climbing stairs a challenge some of the time. |
| in strength due to aging. Giving up the independence of | | | | Stair lifts can be installed in straight or curved |
| going up and down stairs can be a terrible blow to a | | | | staircases. Most models today run on rechargeable |
| person's morale and self esteem. Suddenly half the | | | | DC battery packs that hold a charge for around 8 to |
| house is out of reach, and that person's world shrinks | | | | 10 trips up and down, depending on the length of the |
| considerably. | | | | track and the weight of the person it is transporting. |
| At the same time, it isn't practical for someone else in | | | | Some of these battery packs have chargers mounted |
| the household to carry the disabled person up and | | | | next to the top or bottom of the lift track, while others |
| down stairs. Ask the mother of a baby or toddler | | | | are able to recharge from anywhere along the track. |
| about carrying a 30 lb. child up a staircase several | | | | DC powered stair lifts are the preferred style today |
| times a day. Now imagine carrying the equivalent of at | | | | because they still work (for a while anyway) if the AC |
| least four toddlers up and down the stairs. It would be | | | | power to the household is cut. |
| a daunting challenge even for a fit, strong adult to | | | | Many seniors, through no fault of their own, lose the |
| carry a lightweight adult up the stairs. | | | | ability to go up and down staircases with agility. And |
| There are a number of household devices and | | | | many of them have strong emotional ties to the house |
| products that help senior citizens maintain their | | | | in which they live. A stair lift can make the difference |
| independence for as long as possible, from simple | | | | between allowing a senior to have significant |
| things like glucose meters to chairs that help them rise | | | | independence of daily living and having to making the |
| to a standing position, to personal alarm systems worn | | | | difficult choice of selling a beloved home. |