Stair Lifts for Disabled
For people with mobility issues, having a stair lift installed in their homes can mean the difference between being able to stay in the home and community that they may have lived in for many years, and having to move out, perhaps even into sheltered accommodation or a nursing home. Many homes in the United Kingdom also have several steps leading up to their front door, where stair lifts can also make all the difference. And, of course, many public buildings, particularly old and historic buildings, have stair lifts installed to allow the less mobile to access the services provided in these buildings.
For those people who are able to walk but have issues bending their legs, for example people who suffer from arthritis, a standing or perched stair lift will be more suitable. These types of stair lifts allow the user to either stand fully upright facing the wall, or perch on a support platform facing away from the wall.
If people suffer from mobility issues due to obesity, they will be required to install heavy duty stair lifts that are able to carry at least 25 stone, although many can be adapted to carry more. It is important to be honest when an installer asks about a user’s weight, as a standard stair lift can only carry around 18 stone.
On each of these three stair lifts for disabled, there generally is sufficient space for a walking stick. However, if the user requires a walking frame, one will need to be kept on both ends of the stair lifts for disabled, as there is no space to carry these.
Lastly, for those people who cannot walk at all and are bound to wheelchairs, platform or wheelchair stair lifts are most applicable. These have larger platforms onto which a wheelchair can be placed.
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What Sort of Stair Lifts for Disabled are Available?
Firstly, when thinking of stair lifts for disabled, it is important to think of the type of disability the person has, as this will influence the type of stair lift that is most applicable. If a person is able to walk and able to bend the legs, but has issues with lifting their legs high or issues with balance, a seated stair lift would be most applicable, whereby the user sits on a chair.For those people who are able to walk but have issues bending their legs, for example people who suffer from arthritis, a standing or perched stair lift will be more suitable. These types of stair lifts allow the user to either stand fully upright facing the wall, or perch on a support platform facing away from the wall.
If people suffer from mobility issues due to obesity, they will be required to install heavy duty stair lifts that are able to carry at least 25 stone, although many can be adapted to carry more. It is important to be honest when an installer asks about a user’s weight, as a standard stair lift can only carry around 18 stone.
On each of these three stair lifts for disabled, there generally is sufficient space for a walking stick. However, if the user requires a walking frame, one will need to be kept on both ends of the stair lifts for disabled, as there is no space to carry these.
Lastly, for those people who cannot walk at all and are bound to wheelchairs, platform or wheelchair stair lifts are most applicable. These have larger platforms onto which a wheelchair can be placed.
What Types of Stair Lifts for Disabled are Available?
Once the most appropriate seating arrangement for stair lifts for disabled has been decided upon, you can start to think about the type of stair lift. Stair lifts for disabled come in three types:- Straight stair lifts for disabled that go up stairs that do not have any bends, corners or curves.
- Curved stair lifts which are custom made to fit a specific staircase with bends or curves.
- Outdoor stair lifts for disabled which are specifically designed to be able to withstand adverse weather conditions and extreme temperatures.
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