A residential stair lift can give an elderly or disabled family member the mobility that improves their standard of living dramatically. Before you check out the models that are currently available it can be useful to consider the following information and advice.
Not all stair lifts use the same type of power unit. There are those that are battery operated and others which connect directly to the mains electric supply. Which would best suit your requirements would depend on such factors as the proximity of the stair well to a power socket and whether or not your home is in an area that suffers frequent power outages. If you are to go for a battery powered model then you will need to not only keep the unit recharged but also change the batteries every eighteen months.
For most people it would be useful to have a seat that can swivel at least forty five degrees or perhaps even ninety to allow ease of access. Also there should be a safety bar and handles so that the person using the device cannot accidentally fall out when it is in motion.
Consider the operating panel. Would you want this to be on the lift itself or be operated remotely? This would depend upon the ability and age of the person who is going to use the residential stair lift.
How long is the warranty? You would want this to be as long as possible as repairs and parts can be costly. If the manufacturer has confidence in their product then they should back up their belief by offering a comprehensive cover and service plan free of cost. Make sure you read the small print to be certain that all the component parts are included in the warranty.
Does the lift have a call and send unit? This is important as you may not always want the device to be taking up space on the ground floor or vice versa if you have guests visiting. Consider the physical attributes of the individual who is to use the device. This includes their height and weight. This will have an impact on the model which is chosen.
Think about the actual stair case in your home. What shape is it? Some houses have straight stairs whereas in other properties it may be curved or L shaped. The cheapest stair lifts are the options that use a straight track. These can be installed quicker and are easy to maintain and use. A curved design would incur the greatest cost and would require a professional tradesperson to install. The L shaped designs often comprise two straight lifts in unison, of course with such a model there will be a need for the person using the device to switch between the two which may be inconvenient.
Finally you need to decide whether to opt for a sitting or standing residential stair lift. It is the former which is the most common design and also the safest. A standing design may be preferable if the medical needs make it hard to move from an upright to a sitting position.