Saturday 29 August 2009

Electric Home Stair Lift

An electric home stair lift, a device that is fitted onto a steel rail, is an ideal solution for accessing the various floors of your home. It is used for transporting passengers, laundry, groceries and other items between floors. Electric stair lifts have the capability of enhancing the quality of life of people experiencing disabilities, injuries, surgeries and the problems of age. Owing to the great features and reasonable cost, home stairlifts are becoming increasingly popular.

Different Types of Electric Home Stair Lift Systems

You can choose from two types of electric home stair lift systems - A/C powered electric stairlift and battery operated stairlift. With its gentle acceleration, the stair chair lift delivers a smooth, safe and ultra-quiet ride. These stair lifts can be installed on either side of the stairway. Electric stairway lifts that has a battery option can function even during power failures.

The electric home stair lift system comes with swivel seat locks at 45 and 90 degrees; wireless remote controls; soft start and stop technology; foldable rails to eliminate trip hazards; padded armrest; seat belts; concealed power cable, gear rack and safety brakes.

Make Sure You Buy the Product from Known Manufacturers

Electric home stair lifts come in various models to suit spiral, straight and curved stairways. Savaria Concord offers the battery powered electric stair chair lift - Step Saver Straight Stair Chair; and battery or AC powered electric stairway lift - B.07 Straight Stair Chair. ThyssenKrupp Access is another branded company, which offers various straight and curved stair lift models such as Stair-Glide stairway lift, Excel stair chair lift with folding rail, Citia stair chair lift and Flow stairlift.

Purchase an Accessibility Equipment that Suits Your Needs

Before purchasing an electric home stair lift model, you have to decide what type of stairway lift model you need. It is necessary to consider the requirements of the intended user too. Leading providers in the field can help you choose the right model to satisfy your needs.

Tag : stair lifts,stair chair,acorn stair lifts

Tuesday 18 August 2009

Stairs Plus Chair Lift Equals Stair Lifts - A Rose by Any Other Name is Still a Rose

You can call them chairlifts, stair chairs, stair lifts, stair glides, or stairway lifts. Whatever you refer to them as, they are all the same thing - a mobility device that attaches to a flight of stairs and allows the rider to sit on a chair and be lifted up the stairs. The Mobility and Medical Industry refers to them most often as stair lifts.

There are over 7 main stair lift manufacturers with over 32 different models available on the market today in the United States. Whether for inside or outside use, curved or straight stairs, or residential versus commercial use these lifts consistently meet the needs of the consumer by transporting between floors without the use of an elevator, escalator or vertical wheelchair lift system.

However, consumers often get bogged down by industry terminology as well as industry bias. With that many models available it can be a bit overwhelming, especially if the lift is an immediate necessity. The key thing to consider when researching and purchasing stair lifts is what is the intended outcome. Since a stair lift is such a large investment, you want to be as informed as possible.

Once you have established that a loved one has the ability to use the stair lift, it is key to consider the home and which model will best serve the needs and work within the structure. Homecare Suppliers, LLC has detailed some of these common questions and factors on their Daily Living Blog with "Understanding Stair Lifts".

Cost should not be your primary factor. While it is important to understand the market and work within your budget, it is most important to get the lift that meets the users specifications.

Things to consider:

  • Can the user access the lift easily? Will they need a transfer board if they are in a wheelchair? If this is the case - the lift they use must have movable armrests.
  • Does the user have use of their right arm and hand? This is important as the controls to make the unit run are usually mounted on the right armrest. Some models allow you to put these controls on the left armrest.
  • Fear Factor - Does the unit swivel at the top of the steps, at the bottom, or both? Some riders are uncomfortable getting on a unit if it does not swivel at the top of the landing as they fear they will fall down the steps.
  • Is there a weight or height concern? Some units have a maximum lifting capacity of 300lbs. Additionally, the individuals over 6 ft sometimes need additional leg room space and thus the width of the staircase is important.

Understanding key features is also important as you make your decision.

  • Electric versus battery. There are a few manufacturers that sell an electric stair lift. However, most manufacturers sell battery run units. To clarify - battery units are not a battery back-up unit but a battery-run unit. Simply stated, a battery run unit is a unit that utilizes a battery to run and gets its recharge from an electrical outlet. These units are plugged into an outlet so that the unit is constantly receiving a trickle of electricity which keeps the battery charged. When the unit is in use, it is drawing its current from the battery, not the outlet. Should a power outage occur the unit can be used for duration of 24 - 78 hours depending upon the model purchased.
  • Worm-Drive versus Gear Driven versus Cable Driven. Each has their benefits. However one is not necessarily better than the other. Unfortunately, there is a lot of hype about one over the other, which is mostly manufacturer-driven commentaries and has little to do with functionality or durability. They are all pretty comparable when technically compared for function, safety and durability.
  • Aesthetics - Bells and Whistles. Price is often defined by the bells and whistles of the unit. Beauty, leather and upgraded features affect the price of the unit. Understand your price parameter and work from there to ensure that you are getting the best product for your particular situation.
  • Warranty. Warranties are pretty consistent in the industry with slight variables. Most units have 5 year warranty on the motor and between 1-3 years on parts and components. This is pretty standard. However, something to note is that most manufacturers do not offer a labor warranty. As a result, most dealers do not offer a labor warranty for the stair lift. To equate this to an everyday situation - if the heating element were to go out in your oven - even if it is under warranty - you still have to pay for someone to come out and diagnose the problem and do the work. The manufacturer will provide the new part, but the labor to do the repair is paid by the homeowner.
  • Self-Installation. Some manufacturers will not sell their unit uninstalled while others have designed a unit that is less complicated and can be installed by a handy individual. These manufacturers typically provide technical support via telephone to assist with trouble-shooting. A consumer can request installation manuals prior to purchase in order to ensure that they are capable of completing the installation. It is very important to find out what support is available to the consumer regarding self-installation and trouble-shooting, prior to purchasing. Further, it is important to take into consideration that some of these calls are not toll-free or within the United States.
  • Installation - Local Dealers - To find a local dealer that can both provide installation as well as sales, it is best to look in your local yellow pages book under medical supply or stair lifts. Although, purchasing local may not be the most competitive price, you often get a free consultation prior to purchase as well as a 90 day installation warranty if they install the unit for you.
  • Installation - Internet Dealers - Many internet dealers can provide the unit as well as assist with installation, however, the installation is a separate cost and may be coordinated through another company.
  • Financial Assistance - Medicare and Medicaid as well as most private insurances do not reimburse for stair lifts. A stair lift is a non-reimbursable item and is not even coded by the insurance industry with a HCPCS ('hix-pix'). Beware of dealers who state that they can get you reimbursed. Contact directly your insurance provider for written verification. Additionally, when you speak with your provider, make sure that they understand that you are inquiring about a Stair Lift not a LIFTCHAIR. Medicare and Medicaid do provide some reimbursement for the mechanical components that go into the reclining chair that also lifts an occupant - this is the stationary chair that you sit in. It is not a stair lift or chair lift.

While we know that a stair chair is a stair lift is a chair lift and a rose is a rose is a rose...it is still important that you get the exact one that best suits your needs. Every manufacturer and model is unique in their design, style and cost. We recommend comparing available models and then compiling a list of needs, financial capability and then expectations. At that point, you can then reach out to dealers and begin your comparison process and find the provider that meets your needs.

Tag : stair lifts,stair design,stair chair,stair gate

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzanne_Keisling

Wednesday 12 August 2009

What Are the Main Differences Between Cheap and Expensive Stair Lifts?

One of the greatest inventions of modern times is the stairlift. Stair lifts are becoming increasingly popular in the modern age due to their utility and benefits. Stair lifts have restored the freedom to the disabled and elderly that they once possessed. They are now able to move about their homes with as much freedom as that of any healthy member of the family.

However, as beneficial as these stair lifts may be, they certainly are very costly, and you have to plan to invest in these stair lifts with great care. The task of choosing a stair lift that fits well in the budget and also provides all the necessary features for the needed period of time requires great consideration.

Different factors make the price of one stair lift different from the other. The most obvious factor is their design. Some stairlift designs are more expensive than others. For example, circular or round stair lifts are more expensive than straight stairlifts. Similarly, stair lifts equipped to lift heavy weights are more expensive than those designed to lift standard weights.

The quality of the material of the stair lift also affects its price. Naturally, the better the quality of material used in a stair lift, the higher would be its cost. In certain cases, better quality material can be avoided and a stair lift with cheap material would be sufficient. Better quality material ensures a long life and smooth running of the machinery and its various parts. On the other hand, a cheap stairlifts compromises durability and long life for a reduction in price.

Those who are looking for a stair lift for a short span of time are better off with a cheaper stair lift, as it would be pointless for them to buy something for short term use that has been designed for long term use. It would increase the cost of the investment without any reason.

Another difference between expensive and cheap stairlifts might be the after sales service of the company selling the stairlifts. Again, those who are concerned with long term use of the stair lift might need to worry about after sales servicing and maintenance, whereas those who intend to use them for a short span of time need not pay much heed to after sales services provided by the company.

The installation of the stair lift and the area or conditions in which it has to be installed might also create a price difference in the stairlifts. Not all stairlifts can be installed in every location, and thus more complicated stair lift designs are required to fit in tight spots. Thus, the price of these stairlifts is generally higher than that of normal stair lifts.

Expensive stair lifts generally have better finishing and more features than their cheaper alternatives. Many companies throw in a few extra features with their products to justify their higher price. Nevertheless, some of these features might actually be useful and might be among the main requirements of the consumer. Expensive stair lifts also generally provide more safety features than the cheaper alternatives available in the markets.

You can inquire about a stairlift today at Churchills Stairlifts.

Tag : stair lifts,stair gate,stair design,wood stair


Tuesday 4 August 2009

What Are the Alternatives For Outdoor Stair Lifts?

Stair lifts have emerged as incredibly useful machines which are of great value for old folks and those having some sort of corporal disabilities. Since the old persons and physically disabled people cannot walk up and down the stairs, stair lifts help them to move to the various floors of the house without any problem. Many times these people fall or tumble while climbing the stairs. For this reason, the creation of stair lifts is the safest and the most suitable mode of climbing stairs.

Despite the fact that old or disabled people can move to the other floor with the help of a person or a stick, however, this is certainly not an easy and safe approach. On the other hand, stair lifts let them move to the other level of the house or building without looking for the help of anyone. This freedom is one of the most important reasons people seek to buy stair lifts.

No matter if you wish to use a stair lift for personal use or commercial purpose, you can find quite a lot of models and types of these equipments which can make the life of the handicapped much more comfortable. You can find stair lifts for indoor as well as outdoor use. Both the stair lifts for indoor and outdoor purpose are a number of options. For this reason, the public places where disabled or elderly people could not go are not reachable for them with the help of these indoor and outdoor stair lifts.

The outdoor units come in enormous range with stair lifts that can be fixed at nearly any place. Apart from the size or shape of the stair case, the outdoor stair lifts can be easily fixed without any difficulty.

You can locate outdoor seated stair lift which is very comfortable to use. These are mainly meant for those who have serious physical issues and cannot even stand. However, according to some people, it is an intricate stair lift as you have to move to sit on its stair lift. You may also have to operate or require someone else to operate it.

Another type of outdoor stair lift is the standing stair lifts. You need to stand on it and you will be transported to the other floor without having to bend your knees and requiring the support of any person. One clear difference between the indoor and out door stair lifts is that the outdoor units are weather resistant while the indoor equipments are not. This is keeping in view their placement outside which needs protection from heat, light and rain etc.

Another kind of outdoor stair lift is that which can push the wheelchair to the other storey along with the person using it. Such units have an entrance, which can be locked and therefore extend maximum safety for the user.

No matter of you have to situate these outdoor stair lifts in the courtyard of your house or in some public place, you will have no concern regarding their setting up. You can find any size, and shape suiting your particular constraint.