Stairlifts – What Are They And Why Would I Need One?
If there is one constant thing in life, it is the fact that we grow old. In fact, you just might have an elderly family member living in your very own household right now. It is then very important to consider installing stairlifts in the household. This is especially true if your house has two or more floors.
But what exactly is a stairlift?
In its most basic form, a stairlift is a device that has been designed for the purpose of assisting elderly or disabled people to reach higher floors of a household. Also known as a chair lift, simply because the device makes use of a motorized chair that lifts people up and down the stairs of a household. With the installation of stairlifts, people can safely move up and down the stairs, significantly reducing the risks of untoward accidents occurring. Most of these lifts have arm and footrests running on tracks. People that have diseases such as arthritis, Parkinson’s, and Lou Gehrig’s disease benefit the most from using these devices. Also great for those recovering from accidents and the elderly with difficulty exercising.
AC vs DC Lifts
In general, there are two stairlift types. The AC stair lift, or the DC stair lift. What are the differences? AC (Alternating Current) units use the regular electric source in the household, and for that reason are a bit more economical. – Drawback is that the Launch and Stop motions are somewhat rougher than the DC (Direct Current) models.
The DC stair lift, on the other hand, because the motor increased gradually its speed, is much smoother. For that reason, more users prefer the DC stair lift to the AC powered unit. DC lifts are battery powered.
If the person using the lift understands the need to recharge those batteries, then this is the best option.
Finally, remember that stairlifts are for the use of those who really need it, not a substitute for those capable of walking up and down stairs !
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