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Everyone wants to be able to comfortably access all of their home, but for those with mobility issues, this can become more difficult. If you have a home with multiple floors, getting up and down the stairs can become harder to do, often meaning you will avoid using them unless absolutely necessary, and can face challenges when it comes to getting to your bedroom or bathroom with ease.

This makes a stairlift a vital piece of equipment when it comes to helping you maintain your independence and comfort. Here’s our guide to what you need to know about stairlifts, and why they’re an essential purchase for your home.

About Installation

A stairlift installation can seem like a daunting process, and a significant step, but in the hands of professionals it will be a simple and seamless move that will take into account the space and needs of your home and lifestyle.

Often, the installation will require an initial visit to measure the length and angle of the staircase, so that a custom rail can be ordered that will match these dimensions. This also allows them to account for any bends or platforms. In order to compensate for this, some stair lifts will come with a park mechanic that will help them navigate more complicated layouts.

If you use a wheelchair inside your home, you can ensure that the stairlift comes with a platform for you to move onto with your wheelchair. When looking for a stairlift, you should also keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be limited to the interior, if you have outdoor stairs you can also have a stairlift fitted for them.

Keeps Your Home Yours

For many people as they get older, leaving the home they’ve been in for years is a difficult and stressful choice, one they had hoped to avoid. However, if they find themselves unable to navigate up and down stairs safely and comfortably, this decision can be taken out of their hands. A stairlift ensures that they can remain in their home, using all of their space and moving with freedom to any part of it, for as long as they desire.

Small Footprint, Big Impact

While large purchases can often be more than worthwhile when it comes to providing the mobility assistance and independence you need, it’s always a bonus when they come with ease of use and minimal impact on their surroundings, something a stairlift offers.

As stairlifts can be folded up when not in use, you can ensure that the stairs are accessible for any visitors or people who you live with who don’t need to make use of them.

Easy To Use

A key thing to look for in any mobility aid or device is that it will be easy to use, with a minimum of steps and movements required. A typical stairlift design will see the controls positioned on the arm rest or may even come with a remote control handset that can be especially useful if there are multiple people who need to use it.

Additionally, many stairlifts will charge automatically while in the parked position, meaning you don’t have to worry about going to use it and finding the power has been drained—many also come with a backup power source that can be used in case of emergency power loss in the home.

A good stairlift is also designed with comfort in mind, with extra padding and ergonomic armrests to ensure that your ride is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, something that is vitally important for a device you’ll be using on a daily basis.

Maintaining Your Stairlift

As a significant purchase, financially and practically, you’ll want your stairlift to last for as long as possible. To ensure this, there are a couple of important areas you should look out for when it comes to maintaining your stairlift. Regular maintenance checks will help with this and allow you to solve potential problems before they happen.

You will need to regularly clean your stairlift. Ensure it is with a nonabrasive cleaning substance, no bleach or ammonia. Ideally just use a damp cloth to wipe the seat and rail about once a week to avoid dust collection and resulting technical problems. Plus every 2-3 months apply a lubricant to maintain a smooth ride. 

When it comes to getting a stair lift, or any mobility aid or device, for your home, you want the peace of mind and quality of life that comes from buying from the best. Here at Island Mediquip we’ll use our expertise to guide you every step of the way, and can offer the assurance that you’ll only be buying products that are well made by the very best manufacturers. To find out more about how we can help you, browse our extensive online catalogue or get in touch with our friendly customer service team today.