Stairlift Stores Near Me

Stairlift Stores Near Me: How to Choose a Stairlift.

If climbing or descending your stairs has become difficult, there are a number of solutions that can make your life easier. Most likely, the least popular choice is to consider moving to a single-floored house so that stairs are no longer part of your daily life. However, opting to buy a stairlift from stairlift stores near me and having it fitted is a practical and far more cost-effective and long-term option. Nowadays, when it comes to seeking a solution for difficulty in navigating the stairs, people with limited mobility go for a stairlift to enable safe and easy movement on their staircase. Also, most seniors don’t want to leave their homes and move to an assisted living facility or nursing home because they want to age in place.

Choosing a stairlift should be done carefully as there are several important things to keep in mind. This article serves as a guide that will take you through the process of choosing the right stairlift for your home, needs, and budget.

1. Seek Advice

It can be helpful to talk to your GP or an Occupational Therapist when you’re considering buying a stairlift. Health professionals can offer impartial advice to help you decide whether you need a stairlift fitted and may be able to refer you to charities and organizations that can help with stairlift finance, including loans and grants.

If you know any friends or family who have chosen to have a stairlift fitted in their homes, you should speak to them about the process to gain an insight into their experiences. Friends and family may be able to recommend brands they have had good experiences with, as a personal recommendation can go a long way to help you make the right decision.

There are also a number of impartial stairlift reviews online that compare many aspects of stairlifts such as cost, warranty options, and aftercare services that will be able to give you an insight into choosing a stairlift.

2. Consider Stairlift Options to Suit Your Staircase

The style of your staircase will determine your choice of a stairlift. Below is a list of common types of stairs and the stairlift options that would be required for these types of options.

• Straight stairs – It’s possible to fit a stairlift to almost all types of traditional staircases. If your stairs are a single flight and ascend in a straight line, then you can easily have a straight stairlift fitted. This is the most cost-effective type of stairlift and installation usually takes a couple of hours.
• Curved stairs or an intermediate landing – If your stairs have a curve, then you will need a curved stairlift. Curved stairlifts are created bespoke so can end up being more expensive than straight ones, but as they are created to the individual staircase, this makes them far more versatile.
• Transfer Platform stairlifts – If you have two straight staircases that join with a small landing, then you may require a transfer platform stairlift. This is essentially two straight stairlifts, but the user’s ability to transfer themselves from seat to seat needs to be considered. If you are unable to transfer to another stairlift seat, then a curved stairlift would be the best option, as it will move on a continuous track across the landing.
• Narrow stairs – If your stairs are very narrow, and you can stand for long periods, you may want to consider a perch stairlift. However, if you are unable to stand, then a narrow stairlift can be fitted to your staircase. The track will need to be fitted a small distance away from the top and bottom of the stairs to allow you and others clear access to your stairs around the lift track.

3. Consider Stairlift Options to Suit Your Needs

Depending on your individual mobility needs, you may need a certain type of stairlift, and also require additional features to modify your stairlift to suit your needs. Ask about these options when you visit stairlift stores near me.

Considering your individual needs will help you choose the stairlift that is right for you. Below is a list of stairlift options that can be modified to suit your needs. However, these are all questions that our qualified surveyor can answer during your home visit.

• Trouble rising after sitting – If you have trouble rising after sitting, then you may wish to consider a powered or active seat option. Powered and active seats make it easier to dismount the stairlift if you have limited mobility or find it difficult to rise unaided from a seating position. The seat will gently rise as you dismount the stairlift, supporting your body as you rise out of the seat.
• Trouble sitting upright – If you find sitting uncomfortable, possibly with joint pain in your knees or hips, then having to get up and down from the seat of a stairlift would be an inconvenience. For this reason, you might be best choosing a perch stairlift. Perch stairlifts support you just underneath the buttocks, allowing you to stand comfortably as you ascend the stairs. They also come with a retractable seatbelt for security as you travel.
• Dexterity of hands – If you have reduced dexterity in your hands from arthritis or a lack of strength in your hands, you may find using the manual swivel level difficult. When your stairlift arrives at the top of your stairs, you will need to turn (or swivel) your seat around to ensure that you are exiting the stairs safely onto the landing, rather than in a precarious position at the top of your stairs. A manual swivel seat is operated by a handle that can be fitted on either side of your seat that needs to be either pushed down or pulled up depending on the model of stairlift you choose. All Stannah stairlifts are fitted with a manual swivel seat as standard, however, there is an option for a powered swivel seat with remote controls. With the powered swivel option, you will only need to continue holding the toggle that you will be using to operate the stairlift.
• Weight limit – Most stairlifts have a weight limit of 252 pounds, but some come with a heavy-duty motor that can carry up to 294 pounds. If you weigh over 252 stone, then you will need a stairlift that can safely and effectively transport you up and down your stairs.

4. Decide on Your Budget

Finally, and importantly, you will need to assess your budget. ‘How much does a stairlift cost’ is a common question that arises for anyone considering buying one. The question, however, is not straightforward as one may assume.

Due to the wide variety of staircases, and the bespoke nature of installing them, the cost of stairlifts can vary. The actual cost of a stairlift can be discussed when you arrange a free, no-obligation home visit with an expert.

Buy or Rent a Stairlift

The length of time that the lift will be needed will help determine whether buying or renting is the better choice. If the person that will be using the stairlift is purchasing it because mobility has become limited, but wishes to remain at home for many more years, then buying would be the better option. It is important to note that new stairlifts have better warranties.

However, if the stairlift is only needed as a safe stair solution for a couple of months due to an injury or temporary living arrangements, then renting is the better option. Rental options are often available on straight stairlifts.

Stairlift Stores Near Me

If you’re looking for stairlift stores near me where you can a stairlift, contact Stannah Mountain West Stairlifts today. Call us now at (888) 542-3834 or get in touch with us online to schedule a home visit so that we can provide you with an accurate FREE, no-obligation quote.

Stairlift Stores Near Me