People who are trying to lose weight or get more exercise often take the stairs on purpose, even when there are alternatives available (like an escalator or elevator). But for some people, stairs are to be avoided at all costs. They might even plan their daily activities so that they use the stairs as little as possible. For most of these people it's not an issue of being lazy. Many have a physical condition that makes climbing stairs painful to their joints and muscles.
It's pretty much a given that commercial and public buildings will provide some type of special access to other building levels by using a handicap stair lift or similar alternative. Ever since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, special building access for handicapped individuals has become a familiar feature in most locations. But these public installations require a fair amount of space and can be very costly. Individuals who want to restore their mobility at home need alternatives that are friendlier to their budget and can fit into smaller spaces.
There are many models of handicap stair lifts available for residential use. They can be broken down into two basic types. A stair chair lift has a side-facing chair that is attached to an aluminum or steel track. The track is installed along one side of the stairway. The user sits down in the chair, operates a control, and then is able to glide smoothly up to the top (or down to the bottom).
The other basic type of handicap stair lift is the wheel chair handicap stair lift. This type of lift is sometimes also called an inclined platform lift. The wheel chair handicap stair lift has elements of both a vertical platform lift and a stair chair lift. It functions like a stair lift, but represents an improvement for people with wheelchairs because they don't have to transfer themselves (or be transferred by a care giver) from their wheel chair to the stair lift chair. A wheel chair handicap stair lift also is a good choice when there isn't enough space available for the permanent installation of a vertical wheel chair lift or an elevator.
Stairways come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, so it's important to pick a handicap stair lift or wheel chair handicap stair lift model that's appropriate to your specific stairway. Straight stairways are the easiest to work with. A straight rail is cut to the appropriate length and installed by fastening it to the stairs. Add a chair and a motor and you're ready to go (well, it's almost that simple).
Curved stairways, or stairways with intermediate landings, are a little more challenging, but there are plenty of lifts designed for them as well. The main issue is getting the stairway accurately measured. From these measurements, a curved rail is custom made for your stairway. This made-to-measure process is necessary so that the rail will fit tightly, enabling the lift to operate safely and smoothly.
Some models of stair lifts can also be installed outdoors. If your home has a porch or raised landing, then adding an exterior wheel chair handicap stair lift will provide easy access for wheel chair users.
Handicap stair lifts provide easy access to different building levels for everyone