This is a collaborative post.
You may remember our previous post when we looked at Future Proofing our home. In this post, we also mentioned briefly when it may be time to install a stairlift in the home. From researching, we have found that there can be many hidden benefits of installing your own stairlift:
Stairlifts are really safe
You can feel assured that you, your elderly or disable relative will be extremely safe when using the stairlift. You can have piece of mind that anyone using the stairlift will be very secure and much less likely to get injured or fall than someone trying to use the stairs.
A yearly service will keep you confident that the stairlift will not malfunction and will provide safe travel for the rest of the year.
It is not as expensive as you may think
For such a major piece of equipment, you would think that to buy stair lifts would be really costly. Not the case anymore. For just over £2000, you can get a standard stairlift fitted in your home. Curved stairs are slightly more complicated but still possible – The cost can rise to around £4000, depending on the stairlift involved.
A yearly service is recommended to make sure that everything continues to run smoothly. A stairlift service costs around £200 and can usually be done within one day.
You can hire a stairlift
If a relative is looking at a short term disability that requires a stairlift, then perhaps consider hiring one out. This can also be useful if you are not sure if you will be staying in that property long-term or whether a stairlift is for you? This would have been so useful when my sister broke her foot last year and had to sleep on the sofa downstairs as she simply could not get up the stairs.
They are quicker than you think
The days of taking forever to go upstairs in a stair lift are gone. While stair lifts cannot go too quickly due to safety, users will still see the benefits of being able to access upper floors.
Stairlifts are quieter than they used to be
You will not be disturbed by loud electrical noises as your stair lift is in operation. You will barely notice it being used and it will quickly become part of the furniture.
Attractive to future home buyers
If you are looking to move house or the stairlift is no longer required, the stairlift and be removed or moved location very simply. Always advisable to get the professionals in to do this for you. This will also ensure that the stairlift is properly fitted and operational at the other end.
Visitors can easily come to stay
If any of your other relatives or friends struggle with their mobility, then visiting your home will be a safe space. Particularly important for parents of children with disabilities who can often feel very isolated if they cannot socialise with other children.
Grandchildren think they are super cool!
You can end up being the coolest grandparent around and guarantee that children will tell all their mates about the stair lift.
They can still work during a power cut
Most stair lifts can be operated by battery power. This means that if there is a power cut then there will still be some life left in the stair lift and you will not be left stranded. The average times a battery can carry on without power is 8 trips.
And so there we have 9 benefits of having a stair lift fitted in your home. As the world is now more aware of catering for mobility issues than ever, stair lifts can be found in even the smallest of spaces, opening up a world of access for users.
