Growing old with your loved ones is a joy to behold. You are surrounded by your children and grandchildren and you watch them grow up and succeed. But aging, like everything else, has its own set of issues. And one of those issues is the loss of power to move around freely. Old age can make simple tasks, like getting around the house, difficult. This especially becomes challenging if your house has a flight of stairs.

With the advancement in technology, several solutions have risen to help people. With every physical injury or disability, technology finds a solution to make coping easier. Similarly, mobility issues in seniors and people who are physically abled have varied tech solutions to make ascending and descending stairs easier. One of those solutions is stairlifts.

What are stairlifts?

A stairlift, stair lift, or chair lift is an electric chair device that helps one ascend or descend from a flight of stairs easily. These electronic seating equipment transport you up and down a flight of stairs with comfort and ease. The chair moves across the railing that it is attached to at a slow and steady pace, which makes it safe.

The functioning of this device is fairly simple and is great for people with mobility and balance issues. It can be used in multi-storeyed homes and even in workplaces. Now that we have understood what stairlifts are, let’s move on to the various types available.

Stairlifts are distinguished into four basic categories, depending on the type of stairs. The different types of stairs include:

• Straight rail stairlifts
  The most common type of stairlifts available in the market are straight rail stairlifts. As the name suggests, they are designed for staircases that do not have curves or bends. They are the easiest to install and are also the least expensive. Straight stairlifts are economical, easy to install, and do not require a lot of training or guidance to use. These generally use standardized rails and require minimum time and effort to install. Though mass-produced, you can even choose to measure and install them all on your own.
• Curved rail stairlifts
  The curved rail stairlift is customized for specific requirements. The railing tracks are built to fit the curvatures in the stairs perfectly. Since it needs to be customized, it can take a couple of weeks to be made and installed. It can also incorporate the need for mid-way landings and can be more disruptive than straight rail chairs that cause minimum disruption. Since all stairs are unique, curved rail stairlifts need professional help at the time of installation. A professional would be able to understand the types of rails available and suitable better. However, this costs a little more than the straight rail stairlifts.
• Outdoor stairlifts

The major difference between the other categories of stairlifts and the outdoor stairlift is that they are modified to withstand the weather. Outdoor stairlifts are designed and weatherproofed to survive the climate changes outdoors. These assist in navigating stairs on outside decks, porches, and patios and depend on the type of stairs involved. These are styled with waterproof covers and marine-grade vinyls. Some manufacturers might even offer you chairs that work both indoors and outdoors with a few modifications.

Features to look for when buying a stairlift

Apart from the style and make of the staircase, the stairlift will also have a couple of other features. Here are some features you should consider when looking for a stairlift:

• Folding seats
  Intending to help save space on the staircase, some stairlifts offer foldable seats that are great when not in use. It helps avoid accidents like bumping into the chair seat and bruises.
• Swiveling seats
  Many models of stairlifts have swiveling features that allow you to change the direction of the seat at the start and end of the track. This feature enables a safer landing at the top or bottom of the flight of stairs by letting you step out on an even floor.
• Armrests
  Most stairlifts have armrests installed to ensure a safe ride. It also provides comfort and gives you a space to rest your arms instead of leaving them dangling.
• Footrest
  Some stairlifts also come with footrests. This helps you feel secure and comfortable in the process of riding the stairs. Plus, it keeps your foot from bumping into steps every time you have to take a trip up or down.
• Seat belts
  The automotive-grade seatbelts that come with some of these stairlifts help keep riders safe in their seats. It especially comes in handy if the rider has balance issues and if motion of the stairlift, no matter how steady, may cause them to lose balance.
• Safety sensors
  The safety sensors on these seats can help identify any obstruction in its course. It can detect objects that can affect the normal movement or functions of the chair.
• Remote control
  This feature is specifically beneficial if there are multiple users. It can help call the chair to the top or end of the stairs without needing a second person.

If you are one of those people or have difficulty sitting and would rather take the stairs on foot, there are other solutions available, too. One of the alternative options that enables you to take the steps at your leisure is a standing stairlift. You can think of it as a sturdy assistant that will help you take the stairs all by yourself safely. The standing stairlift is like a handle on rails that you can hold on to as and when you need to nip to the washroom upstairs or grab your reading glasses from the kitchen downstairs.