Stairlift Reviews

A disabled person need not be trapped in one space and barriers to his mobility can be overcome by using several devices.  In overcoming vertical distances, the most expensive method is the use of vertical lifts, which are similar to elevators.  As alternatives to vertical lifts, there are stair lifts, stair climbers, and short rise lifts.  These three devices are different from each other and they address different needs and situations.

Stair lifts can be thought of as a chair (although some stair lifts have no seats) that runs on a railway or track that is mounted on the side of the staircase.  Most have battery operated systems and remote controls.  A user of stair lift can be relatively independent as he travels up and down the stairs.

A stair climber, on the other hand, will need the assistance of a caregiver.   There are two types of stair climbers, the “mobile stair climbers” and the “stair climbing wheelchair”.  A mobile stair climber is powered by a rechargeable battery.  It may have a seated device into which the user will be transferred or it may be an attachment that fits any wheelchair.  The main difference between a stair lift and a stair climber is that the latter is not attached to the staircase.  It is possible to use the stair climber outside the house on any other type of staircase.  The caregiver must be familiar in operating the stair climber and should know how to adjust its controls especially when navigating on an unfamiliar staircase.

The stair climbing wheelchair is a powered wheelchair with features that enable it to negotiate a staircase.  However, the staircase of the home should meet several requirements. For example, the steps should be even and equal, otherwise, the climbing wheelchair might get stuck.

Short rise lifts are ideal in areas where there is a small difference in heights of floors, such as the front step or a sunken den.  Such areas are also cramped that constructing a ramp would be impossible.  We can think of short rise lifts as very short-distance elevators, with no walls.  Usually, it can carry the user, his wheelchair., and his caregiver.  But it may have side rails to prevent the user and his wheelchair from rolling off the edge.

There are two types of short rise lifts: the “fixed short rise lifts” and the “mobile or portable short rise lifts”.  The fixed lifts are installed in the homes, which had been structurally modified to accommodate the lifts.  Fixed lifts are powered by a battery while mobile short lifts may run on either electricity of manual foot pump.  The latter does not demand alterations of the structure of the house.  But it needs a short ramp that can be folded when not in use.

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