Installing a Stair Lift to Increase Your Stair Safety
The stairs are a part of many people's everyday lives.
They are found in countless homes and almost every office building has at least one set of stairs, sometimes many more.
While providing a very important service, the stairs can also be incredibly dangerous, especially for those who have difficulty walking and bending their knees.
Of all age groups, seniors are most at risk of a fall and serious injury on the stairs.
The reason that seniors are at such an increased risk of a fall is several fold.
One of the major factors is mobility related disorders like arthritis.
These can make any movement very painful and hard.
To help protect against the pain, it is common to not pick up your foot as much, which increases the risk of tripping.
Other disorders, like Alzheimer's, which is a cognitive disorder, can reduce a person's balance and since an individual with Alzheimer's is often less focused, they are more prone to falling.
While diseases like arthritis, osteoarthritis, and Alzheimer's can be the cause of a fall, the actual fall is often only part of the problem.
Many seniors are affected by osteoporosis as well, which is a bone disorder that causes the bones to become much more brittle.
For individuals with osteoporosis, even a small fall from a short distance can cause a broken hip or fractured leg.
As a result, even a simple missed step will many times result in a very serious injury.
Since the stairs are so dangerous, some seniors choose to simply avoid them.
This is especially true of seniors who have already experienced a fall, because their confidence is affected and they become much more afraid of the stairs and falling again.
For seniors who try to avoid the stairs, this can mean making drastic changes to your lifestyle.
When out in public, it is usually not that big of a problem and is actually encouraged, unless you have someone with you, but avoiding the stairs in your home is often impossible or means avoiding an entire section of your home.
The prospect of moving is often not very attractive either, because this means giving up your freedom and often leaving a home you have spent many great years in.
Since avoiding the stairs in your home is seldom actually practical, many choose to install stair lifts.
Stair lifts are a type of device that can be easily installed onto most staircases and will greatly improve safety.
They are used to carry a person up and down the stairs safely, so the only thing required of the user is to push a button and sit back and enjoy the ride.
Usually a chair lift will be used, sometimes called stair chairs, in which a chair moves along a track that is attached to the stairs.
A powerful electric motor slowly and steadily moves the chair and silently carries the senior between floors.
Having a stair lift installed is a great way to restore confidence and independence, without requiring major life changes.
The senior is usually able to operate the lift by themselves without help from others and can restore access to all areas of their home.
They are found in countless homes and almost every office building has at least one set of stairs, sometimes many more.
While providing a very important service, the stairs can also be incredibly dangerous, especially for those who have difficulty walking and bending their knees.
Of all age groups, seniors are most at risk of a fall and serious injury on the stairs.
The reason that seniors are at such an increased risk of a fall is several fold.
One of the major factors is mobility related disorders like arthritis.
These can make any movement very painful and hard.
To help protect against the pain, it is common to not pick up your foot as much, which increases the risk of tripping.
Other disorders, like Alzheimer's, which is a cognitive disorder, can reduce a person's balance and since an individual with Alzheimer's is often less focused, they are more prone to falling.
While diseases like arthritis, osteoarthritis, and Alzheimer's can be the cause of a fall, the actual fall is often only part of the problem.
Many seniors are affected by osteoporosis as well, which is a bone disorder that causes the bones to become much more brittle.
For individuals with osteoporosis, even a small fall from a short distance can cause a broken hip or fractured leg.
As a result, even a simple missed step will many times result in a very serious injury.
Since the stairs are so dangerous, some seniors choose to simply avoid them.
This is especially true of seniors who have already experienced a fall, because their confidence is affected and they become much more afraid of the stairs and falling again.
For seniors who try to avoid the stairs, this can mean making drastic changes to your lifestyle.
When out in public, it is usually not that big of a problem and is actually encouraged, unless you have someone with you, but avoiding the stairs in your home is often impossible or means avoiding an entire section of your home.
The prospect of moving is often not very attractive either, because this means giving up your freedom and often leaving a home you have spent many great years in.
Since avoiding the stairs in your home is seldom actually practical, many choose to install stair lifts.
Stair lifts are a type of device that can be easily installed onto most staircases and will greatly improve safety.
They are used to carry a person up and down the stairs safely, so the only thing required of the user is to push a button and sit back and enjoy the ride.
Usually a chair lift will be used, sometimes called stair chairs, in which a chair moves along a track that is attached to the stairs.
A powerful electric motor slowly and steadily moves the chair and silently carries the senior between floors.
Having a stair lift installed is a great way to restore confidence and independence, without requiring major life changes.
The senior is usually able to operate the lift by themselves without help from others and can restore access to all areas of their home.
