Ensuring Safe Home Stair Lifts

For immobile patients confined in their two-storey homes, stair climbing is an issue of safety. Stair flight for disabled people is a major concern that needs serious attention. It’s not only so for them but for their love ones and physicians and nurses. So buying the right home stair lift for them is of utmost importance. Note the following:

First, the patient’s body weight must be seriously considered. The home stair lift must be sturdy enough to be able to carry the weight of the patient. Structurally weak home stair lifts can do further damage to the patient and expose the same to more serious dangers. Inquiry on the equipment’s steel casting and actual strength may be done, along with some warranty that assures it can hold patients safely. Ask for weight categories.

Second, disabled persons need to be comfortably seated in the home stair lift, more so when being lifted up. The gravity pull has some effect on the body as the lift goes higher. The size of the seat must be able to comfortably hold and fit the patient’s anus. The chair’s back-rest must be wide enough to catch the patient’s back. This is particularly important when the patient is overweight, which is mostly the case with arthritic patients.

Third, inspect the actual installation of the home stair lift at the staircase. Make sure the dimension of the staircase is wide enough to have remaining ample space (enough to accommodate a person assisting the patient) after the home stair lift has been installed. Remember, both patient and assistant should have spacious movement clearance to ensure safety. If the staircase is to narrow to fit the home stair lift, a customized one might be needed. Check the railing where the home stair lift is to run, and a strong stopper or check lever (for stopping or steadying the home stair lift mid flight) is advisable.

Fourth, no matter how strong the home stair lift may look, always try the device out for oneself before sitting the patient. Always check the joints, rail, wheels, and other structural members of the home stair lift.

The main thing is, we don’t want to further impair or endanger the disability of the patient. The comfort and safety of the patient is the priority. When buying a home stair lift, check the strength of the material in relation to patient’s weight, patient must be comfortable during the stair flight, and home stair lift installation must be secure.

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