You can’t put a price on your independence. While everyone has their financial limits, regaining access to spaces as a wheelchair user makes such a significant difference to your quality of life that a good stair mobility aid is essentially priceless.
Stair lifts, or stair climbing chairs, make it possible to live and work in multi-storey places as a wheelchair user. Instead of limiting yourself to single storey spaces (or needing to move to a new home after becoming a wheelchair user) these aids help you maintain maximum independence. These are some things to consider when choosing yours, so you can rest assured that every cent is worth the return.
Ease of Operation
How easy is it to operate your potential new stairlift? Consider the number of people that would need to help you operate each particular model, and how easy it is to teach someone each time. Your ideal stair chair should be so easy to operate that explaining how someone can help you should take very little time and effort before they’re able to assist you safely and confidently.
Power Source
Is your stair chair reliant on electricity or battery power? Will you be able to get up and down the stairs in case of a power outage? Ideally the more flexible your options, the safer you are in case of unexpected power outages that could otherwise leave you grounded. It’s also worth checking that the stairlift batteries are easily replaceable, available commercially and inexpensive.
Dimensions
Before you purchase, confirm that the stairlift will actually fit the staircase it’s meant for. Take into account whether your staircase has any landings and whether it can safely navigate these as well. If you’re considering a mobile stairlift, a deciding factor may be how easily your chosen model fits into your car.
Weight
Can your walls carry the weight of your stairlift? Choosing a mobile stairlift eliminates the need to think about this entirely because they don’t get attached to walls at all. That leaves you considering whether the weight of your stairlift stands in the way of it being truly portable. The lighter, the better. The Mobile Stairlift, for instance, is FDA-approved and has a net weight of only 62 lbs.
Materials
More than just adding to the weight of the stair chair, what it’s made of changes how comfortable it is to sit on. If you often find yourself taking the stairs, it pays to make sure it’s a comfy ride. Materials also have a say in your stairlift’s load-bearing capability — find out how much weight it’s able to carry, and how many flights of stairs it can traverse on a single charge (if battery-operated).
Portability
Can you transport your stairlift? If you’re about to install a permanent stairlift, what happens when you move? Mobile stairlifts are often far simpler solutions, with the added benefit that they don’t need building clearance. Staying on in your condo isn’t a problem in your mobile stairlift, because you won’t need to install rails to use it. With a mobile stairlift, you’re also able to take it with you when you visit friends or go to college or out to the theatre for a night.
Cost
The stairlift that gives you the maximum freedom, with maximum safety, at the lowest cost should be the one that comes out winning. For example, most stairlifts need permanent tracks installed that means each flight of stairs needs a lift of its own. With a mobile stairlift, you’re able to use one stair chair for almost any staircase, inside or outside.
In this way, The Mobile Stairlift becomes one of the best solutions on the market. FDA approved, with a 7-day money back guarantee and full warranty, you can test it out before purchase. Built to be lightweight and portable, you’re able to take this chair with you wherever you go and climb almost any flight of stairs with as little as one additional person’s help. To view the full product specs, download the Mobile Stairlift brochure here.