While inclusivity and accessibility are considered part of fundamental rights in this era, the development of mobility aids and supports continues to redefine the realm of independent/ free living.
Top on the list among these inventions are mobile stairlifts which have become a veritable game-changing solution for people with impaired or limited mobility, offering them safety, unparalleled flexibility, convenience, and more.
These mobility aids are equipped to carry out different functions from curved stairlift models to straight stairlift designs.
What are Mobile Stairlifts
Mobile Stairlifts are portable and lightweight devices offering more flexibility of movement on a range of outdoor and indoor staircases. These Mobile stairlifts are designed to cater to the needs of the aged, and other individuals who are experiencing impaired movement, this category of people who can’t walk without assistance often needs the services of caregivers to set up their devices, maneuver, or transport them. Mobile devices have lightweight handy frames making landings and navigating corners easier. Stability and security are provided by their retractable and comfortable belts and users get a superior grip from their anti-slide tread while moving up and down the stairs. Most of them are battery-charged and come equipped with chargers and charging points. Below is a list of the top mobile aids available.
Standing / Perching Stairlifts
Standing/ Perching stairlifts are specifically designed for mobility-impaired individuals who only have difficulties in climbing or descending stairs. Though they can walk around without help, the stirs pose some difficulties for them. This category of mobility-impaired people can remain upright on the mobile stairlifts while the device navigates the floors. The users are expected to bear the major part of their body weight while the device offers additional support through a raised seat, armrests/guard rails, and a footplate. With these users can ‘perch’ as the device travels along the tracks.
Any qualified technician can conveniently complete the installation of a standing/perching stairlift within just a day as the process is quite easy. An experienced engineer can do servicing yearly.
Standing/perching stairchairs are best suited for staircases that are very narrow, especially those with a swivel chair. It is considered a great choice for individuals suffering flexibility, issues hip, or joint problems that make both sitting or bending very painful. One great advantage of this kind of stairlift is that users can install and use it on outdoor staircases.
Straight-Seated Stairlifts
A multi-level mobility device, the straight-seated stairlift is tailor-made for mobility on a domestic scenery with uncurved staircases. As a mobility equipment, it is best suited for individuals with seriously impaired movement. This category of people cannot move on their own and require constant assistance from caregivers. Even to stand for a short while is a huge struggle for them.
This stairchair features a control in the armrest where a switch panel regulates movement. There is a swivel seat that aids users to easily get into and out of the mobility aid and people who are not capable of moving their device manually are assisted with a motorized swivel function. This stairchair comes complete with a textured footrest targeted at mitigating slippage. On each end, the stairchair features a call-send panel.
Installation time for this device can be long or short depending on the required customization. When the customization level is minimal, one or two days will be enough for the installation to be complete, however, the system may take a bit longer if there are certain adjustments to be made.
Straight-seated stairchairs are great for multi-story homes as they give the users more independence and remove the need to move to a less complicated structure. Elderly individuals wishing to maintain their movement and freedom won’t go wrong with this device and it is equally a great fit for those with temporary or permanent disability. This make of stairlift is also good for outdoor use, offering users freedom of movement when they want to spend quality time outside the home.
Curved Seated Stairlifts
In homes with multiple staircases (from three levels and above), curved seated stairlifts are always great for navigation. It features a curved rail system that can come in handy when users need to map the turns of a staircase, navigating corners seamlessly. When customized, this kind of mobility aid makes traveling over landings a smooth sail.
Curved seated stairlifts come with charging points on each side as they are designed as battery-operated devices. Some of these devices are equipped with folding arms and footrests. Talking about installation, staircases with complex structures call for extra fitting plans where the technician must ensure a perfect fit by customizing the curved stairlift. Relative to a straight stairlift, a curved seated stairlift is a bit more technical, thus, complete installation may take a few days.
One key benefit of curved seated stairchairs is that they are equipped to travel across different landings and are considered great for navigating multi-level buildings. The devices can be used in different staircases including fan, spiral, half-landings, and quarter.
Conclusion
There are many stairlift aids on sale and it is up to caregivers and people with impaired mobility to choose the best for their conditions. These devices make life easier for users as outings become less of a difficult chore. In times of emergency, these mobility aids constitute great additions to the tool kits of emergency teams, facilitating efficient evacuation. Also to be factored in are school grounds and other academic facilities where they can be used for children with mobility issues and victims of domestic accidents.