A Guide to Stair Lifts

If you are having problems using the staircase in your home because of back, hip or leg problems then you may be thinking about getting stair lifts to make your mobility easier and more comfortable. It would be a good idea to have an assessment done with an occupational therapist first because your safety is a top priority. The occupational therapist may be able to determine the individual factors involving the lift that are most fitting for your situation.

Once you have made the decision that you definitely want to get stair lifts then the next point of business is to decide which ones are most suitable for you. If you know anyone else who is in a similar situation to you and who has purchased stair lifts for their home speak with them about what they chose. The experience they have can be beneficial to you. Find out what they like about the lift, what they don't like and what they would change if they were able to. Recommendations from others can prove very helpful.

Get more than one quote from a variety of manufacturers. By doing this you will be able to compare the entire package from one company to another. This includes the features inherent in the product and the aftercare services. Once you have done enough homework and know what is out there you will then be better able to decide which lift is most accommodating for you and for your home environment. Shopping around is strongly recommended.

It is always smart to try out a lift before you purchase it. This is a very important purchase and also an expensive one and for that reason you want to get it right the first time around. Find out where stair lifts are sold in your area and then drop by and take one (or a couple different ones) for a test drive.

How can you know for sure what the most appropriate lift is for you? To select the right one you need to look closely at your own unique set of circumstances. From there you can determine which product features would be of the most benefit to you. To help you in this speak with an experienced sales person who knows plenty about the subject of stair lifts. Explain to this person in as much detail as possible what you need and let him or her help you with the selection process. Remember that you want to choose a lift that will not just work for you today, next week and next month but also in the future. Let the salesperson show you what options are available to you.

You also need to consider such things as who will operate the lift and what controls the lift will have on it. If you will be operating it yourself then it will be different than if another person such as your spouse or caregiver will be operating it for you. If you know this information when the lift is first installed that means that alterations will not need to be made later on.