Residential Stairlifts


Having any form of mobility impairment can be a terrible thing to have to live with.  It means that you have an inability to do certain things and if this is climbing stairs, then it also means that there are no go areas, potentially even in your own home.  But whether a mobility issue is a condition you have been born with, or whether it is something that has occurred in later life for whatever reason, there are ways to manage it and live an almost regular life.

Those with mobility impairments have just as much of a right to retain their independence and stay in their own homes as those who do not have mobility issues, and more and more products are designed to allow this to happen safely and comfortably.  Residential stairlifts, which are stairlifts that are installed in people’s homes, are just one of the many devices on the market that make this possible.

Residential Stairlifts

There are two main types of residential stairlifts available on the market, which are:

  • Straight stairlifts which operate on a single straight rail and can be fitted to stairs that do not go around any corners or bends
  • Curved stairlifts which are specifically designed to fit an individual staircase with bends or corners, such as a spiral staircase.
There are also different types of seats available on residential stairlifts, designed in such a way that anyone can travel on them safely and comfortably, regardless of the type of mobility issue they may have. 

In order to determine the exact type of stairlift you require, an initial consultation with an occupational therapist should be your first port of call, as they will be able to assess what sort of mobility issues you have and what type of seat is best for you.  After that, a consultation with a stairlift manufacturer will be able to tell you what type of stairlift fits your staircase best.

What Type of Residential Stairlifts Best Suits my Needs?

As said before, an occupational therapist will be best equipped to answer this question appropriately.  The different types of travelling platforms for residential stairlifts are:

  • Seated versions, whereby the user sits on a chair facing away from the wall to travel up and down the stairs.  This is only applicable for those people that do not have any issues bending their legs.
  • Standing versions, whereby the user stands on a platform facing the wall, holding on to two railings.  These are applicable to those people who are not able to bend their knees and/or have a good sense of balance.
  • Perched versions, whereby the user faces away from the wall and is supported by a small platform, effectively allowing them to be between standing and sitting.  This is most suitable for those who have issues with bending their legs and/or do not have a very good sense of balance.
As you can see, there are many different types of residential stairlifts available and understanding which one best suits your needs should be a decision made by medical professionals.

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