Stair Lift - What to Consider When Making a Purchase

A stair lift is a device that allows the disabled to move from the first floor to the second floor on a seat, rather than walking up the steps. While the benefits of this may be difficult to understand for able-bodied individuals, that set of steps can look like an insurmountable mountain to those with disabilities. Many elderly individuals find themselves unable to safely enjoy their homes once hip and leg problems set in. A device like this gives them some measure of freedom back and staves off the inevitable considerations of selling the home. If you're thinking about purchasing a stair lift, you should first consider the cost and how useful it will be in the long run.

Price

A stair lift is not going to be a cheap investment, any way you look at it. However, when you consider the benefits, the cost may be well worth it. By the same token, there is a vast range of prices when looking at various models and options. If you have someone who can install it for you, that in itself will reduce a lot of the costs. Buying a used device will likewise be far more inexpensive than buying new. Even when buying new, there may be a significant difference when it comes to how much you spend, depending on how many extras you want installed.

The Future

When considering a purchase like this, you have to think about the future. Do you intend to stay in your home for some time to come? Will you be selling soon? It doesn't make much sense to spend a lot of money on a stair lift if you don't plan to be in your home for much longer. On the other hand, if you have no intentions of moving, the investment could make a lot of sense. This isn't the sort of implementation that will add value to your home, so it pretty much just comes down to how much use you will personally get out of it.

Function

If you are on the fence about whether or not you need a stair lift, you should probably strongly consider it. If you are thinking about it, you probably need one. While you may be able to get up and down the steps now, the situation could change in the next year. More importantly, climbing the stairs is a potentially dangerous activity for those with disabilities. Far better to resign yourself to a little help now than to push yourself past your comfort zone and wind up having an accident. One of the leading accidental causes of death for seniors is in-home falls. Don't wind up becoming a statistic. Take precautions now that could easily prevent a tragedy.