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3 Signs It’s Time To Install A Stair Lift In Your House

We all need to take steps to ensure our families remain safe when we are at home. However, for many older adults, the very act of taking steps can be a risky one. Do you live with an elderly loved one or individual with mobility issues? Do they have issues with balance and/or strength? If so, walking up and down the stairs of your house may prove to be dangerous. You may want to consider a viable remedy: the stair lift.

Here are three signs it’s time to install a stair lift in your house:

1. Your loved one has expressed feeling unsafe.

There’s nothing like good old verbal communication to know how your loved ones are feeling. Here’s hoping you enjoy open and honest dialogue in your home. This may require the asking of some probing questions. Do the elderly loved ones in your home feel unsafe when using the stairs? Does the person with mobility issues feel nervous when having to visit another level of the home? No one in your family should feel unsafe. The installation of a stair lift can work wonders in bringing about peace of mind.

“The safety features that come with a stair lift include a safety buckle which is included on the chair,” reports U.K.’s Access BDD, “The system also has a variety of other safety features that prevent operation if there is any obstruction on the path of the stair lift or if you have not placed the armrest and footrest in the right position. Most stair lifts also come with a lock switch that prevents the chair from being used by other people especially children.”

2. Your family member has fallen and gotten injured.

Slips and falls are among the top reasons that elderly people in Canada require hospitalizations. The risk of slips and falls in your home is not to be taken lightly. If you live with an older adult who has already taken a tumble, it’s imperative that you do what you can to prevent it from every happening again. Making stair climbs an injury-free experience is a great way to safeguard your home from future slips and falls.

“Stairs are difficult to navigate, especially for older family members,” affirms Medium.com, “Falls on the stairs can be dangerous. Injuries, weaknesses and problems with vision, balance and strength can make climbing and descending stairs a dangerous task for older people. A stair lift helps people to use the stairs in safety, reducing the risk of injuries from falling on the stairs.”

3. Your elderly loved one spends most of his/her time on one level of the home.

Does Grandma or Grandpa tend to stay in his/her room? Does the family member who uses a mobility solution generally keep to the main level of the home? In any scenario when a loved one pretty much avoids the stairs, it suggests that a change is needed.

Not having full use of one’s home can be both depressing and aggravating. It can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially when other members are congregating on those hard-to-access levels. A stair lift installation will remove the barrier of the staircase and ensure no member of the home feels cut off from the rest of the family.

To learn all about the stair lifts offered by Advantage Home Health Solutions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!

Stairlift | FAQ’s

What's the minimum width for a stair lift?

There are no specific width requirements to install a stairlift. All stairs in Canada are built to specific codes and standard widths, which we know will permit the installation of some type of stairlift. There are no renovations required; we install the stairlift in the space you have and based on your specific requirements. You do not have to remove handrails for a stairlift installation.

What's the average cost of a stair lift?

Many factors can influence the price of a stairlift such as number of stairs, curves, stopping points, nearby availability of power sources. We will always determine the most suitable, safe and cost effective solution for your specific needs.

Some of the price ranges for stairlifts can be found on our website. You may also qualify for funding

Do you carry anything similar to acorn chair lifts for stairs?

We carry both straight and curved stairlifts for various types of settings. What’s important to note is we have a PhotoSurvey system to assist us with exact measurements of your stairs. This system helps us in perfecting your stairlift installation and will ensure a safe, smooth and always complete ride up the stairs.

We are sure to have a model of stairlift suitable for your needs, safety and budgetary requirements.

Is it possible to install a stair lift myself?

If you have a bit of construction or technical, engineering type background, it’s possible. But there are a number of factors that would probably influence you NOT to do the installation yourself.

On the YES side:

If it’s a straight stairlift, it’s possible:

  • If there’s a supplier (manufacturer or dealer) willing to support you with installation questions.
  • If you have a bit of technical knowledge, good measurements and understanding of mathematical information to make the necessary calculations to get the right parts.

On the NO side:

  • It can be a bit complex or confusing. If you don’t have the correct tools for cutting or joining the rails.
  • If you run into an issue after installation (like a breakdown), it may not be covered by warranty.
  • If it involves a stairlift with turns or curves, it’s challenging to ensure the exact measurements that will ensure a perfectly smooth and safe ride.

We are sure to have a model of stairlift suitable for your needs, safety and budgetary requirements.

My stair lift is beeping. What could be wrong?

Here are some possibilities that could explain why your stair lift is beeping:

Power off, receptacle issues, tripped breaker, charger issues, dislodged from the charge strip, connection issue between charger and rail, not in locked position and therefore can’t use remote, seat not in lock position, obstruction, armrests not in down position, some safety issue that needs tending.

If your stair lift needs service, we’re happy to help. Just give us a call and we’ll do our best to help. If it’s not urgent, you can request more information or a service call here.

My stair lift will not move. What could be the problem?

There are several possibilities for a stairlift to not work:

  • key (incorrect position or missing)
  • armrests in the wrong position
  • if it’s not plugged in
  • if  batteries are drained from age or other reasons such as recent power outage.

If this didn’t solve the issue, you may need a service call. Reach out by phone and call 403-460-5438 or request more information about stair lift service here.

How is a stairlift installed?

When installing a stair lift, we’ll be sure to get as close to the wall or railing as possible. We’ll take measurements specific to your stairs and in the event of a curved stair lift, we’ll manufacture a unit specifically for your situation. We’ll mount the stair lift rail directly onto the stair treads.

A stairlift can typically be installed in one afternoon. We’ll always ensure the stair lift installation meets your needs for safety of the user as well as others in the home.

Find Out More About Stair Lifts… 

Ask us for a free, no obligation in-home assessment. Just fill out our information request and get a FREE consultation today.