A stairlift is a very useful and flexible assistive device you should install at home if you have aged parents or wheelchair users at home. Stairlifts can transform their lives by giving them greater independence and self confidence. Modern stairlifts are packed with user friendly features and ergonomically designed to give users the best comfort and safety. Most of the stairlifts are automated and is easy to control by any user young or old. As stairlifts at home is central to the mobility of wheelchair users and elderly, modern stairlifts are able to fit in various accessories to cater to the different needs by various user groups. Some of the stairlift accessories are described below:

Platforms for Stairlifts

Stairlift platforms are useful if the user is wheelchair bound as the platform is able to carry the wheelchair up and down the staircases. Stairlift platforms ensure the security of the users by have safety barriers that will rise up on all sides of the platform to prevent the wheelchair from rolling off the stairlift while it is in operation. The movement speed of stairlift platform is slower than usual as it is carrying a heavier load. The slower speed also provides additional stability to the users on wheelchairs as they will not feel the sudden movements that will jerk the wheelchair. Users of wheelchairs board the platform through an access ramp which will be folded up once the user is on the platform. The stairlift platform can be folded when it is not in use as it takes up a lot of space and may block walking space. Users have to manually fold their platforms after they have finished using it whereas more advanced stairlifts have remote controls to fold and unfold the stairlifts. Most stairlift manufacturers produces stairlift platforms such as the Acorn, Bruno Vertical Stairlift platform, Stannah Stairiser range of platform lifts and Ameriglide’s Atlas and Hercules Jr residential vertical lift.

If you had purchased stairlifts with the seats and would like to convert to a platform stairlift, you can simply purchase the platform and hire stairlift technicians to replace the seats with the platforms.

Perch frame for Stairlifts

Perch frame stairlift seats are for users who are unable to sit as they may have problems bending their knees. The users have to move up the stairlifts in an almost vertical position. The perch frame is well designed such that the users is in a standing position with a seat to support the back and a safety rail in front for the user to hold on for safety when the stairlift is in motion. Perch frame stairlift is also ideal for staircases where there is space constraint as this takes up the least physical space compared to other stair chair lifts.

A perch frame stairlift accessory can be bought to replace the original stairlift seat. Replacement work can be done by stairlift engineers similar to changing to stairlift platforms.

Swivel seats for Stairlifts

Stairlift users may find it difficult to mount or dismount from a fixed or static seat when they are at the end of the stairlift. This is where the swivel seats come in handy and helps to ease the process of getting onto the stairlifts. Swivel seats are able to rotate away from the stairlifts to allow easy access for the users. The swiveling action can be stopped when the stairlift is in motion to ensure safety. Users who have problems maneuvering the swivel seat can opt for the powered swivel seat where the motor can rotate the seats on the user’s behalf. People who intend to purchase used stairlifts can request to change the old seat to a swiveling one for easy use. A swivel seat costs between $200 to $500.

Hinged rails for Stairlifts

If you are facing space constraints around the stairlift landing area, we advise you to add a hinged rail to the original stairlift tracks. Hinged rails basically extends the track of the stairlifts such that it can have a proper landing point where the user can alight. Original stairlift tracks may protrude into the hallway and may be an eyesore for visitors and also a danger for people walking around the house. The hinged rails or folding tracks help to save space as it can be folded up when not in use. This reduces the hazard posed by long stairlift tracks. The hinged rail is available from most stairlift dealers and the cost varies. The cost depends on whether you want to manually fold the rail or having a powered hinged rail that will take care of the folding automatically.

• «Previous Post
• Next Post »