Modern stairlifts are easy to use and to take care of, requiring little in the way of day-to-day care and maintenance. It’s important to choose the right style of stairlift for the user’s needs, and some designs are more complex than others. However, many seniors who struggle to get up and down flights of stairs might benefit from having a stairlift.

Seat Height and Style Makes a Difference to Usability

Most traditional stairlifts have a simple seat with arms to support the user and a lap belt. Some slimline stairlifts have a seat that folds in and out, so the lift takes up less space when it’s not in use. Others have a perch instead of a seat. With perch-style lifts, the user stands on the platform and leans against the perch for support.

The styles of stairlifts listed above are not covered by Original Medicare because they’re considered to be home modifications rather than accessibility aids. Some lifts have more sophisticated seats that can be raised and lowered to help the user transition from the lift to their wheelchair and vice-versa. These lifts are more likely to be treated as assistive devices but are far more costly than traditional stairlifts.

Most Stairlifts Have Long-Lasting Batteries

Most stairlifts run on their own rechargeable batteries that top themselves up each time the lift is used. Even lifts that run primarily off a home’s electrical power have backup batteries so the lift can still be used in the event of a power outage. Users don’t have to worry about monitoring the level of charge on the batteries. As long as they remember to return the lift chair to its designated parking spot after each use, it will recharge itself

Consider a Remote Control Stairlift for Convenience

Most stairlifts have controls built into the chair itself, so a senior can sit in the chair and then move the lift up or down the stairs at a pace that suits them. Some stairlifts also offer a remote control, allowing users to summon the lift remotely. Families who have more than one stairlift user or those who live in a house with more than one flight of stairs may find having a remote control useful because it means they won’t have to be worried about being stranded on a different level from the lift.