Are the stairs a bit scary?
AS WE grow older, poor depth perception, especially in low light, is one of the main causes of falls. Add health conditions such as arthritis, and the stairs can become downright scary. A modern stairlift overcomes this hazard, reassuring users that their next trip up to the bedroom won’t land them in hospital. And it’s not just about getting up and down to bed. Some stairlifts are used to take groceries or laundry upstairs, or bring meals up to a bed-ridden spouse. It is important to choose one with safety sensors that will detect any obstruction left on the stairs and bring the stairlift to a halt while it is removed. A swivel seat that locks in position makes it much easier to get on and off the stairlift, especially at the top of the stairs, where safety is paramount. Your stairlift should glide seamlessly along the rail and start and stop so smoothly that you hardly notice. The fact that it runs off powerful, rechargeable batteries means you’ll never be left stranded in a power cut. As when travelling in a car, you should always ‘buckle up’, so look for reliable safety belts. Remote controls placed at the top and bottom of the stairs allow you to summon the stairlift as needed. A model with a slim, foldaway design makes it easier for others to use the stairs. The seat, arms and footrest should fold up neatly — and this process can be automated if you prefer. Your stairlift should blend with the decor of your home, with discreet rails that take up minimal space and fix to the stairs, rather than the wall, so there is no messy structural work needed to install it. These features make a stairlift reliable, safe, inconspicuous, easy to use and cost-effective.