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We want to help you understand what options are available so you have the information you need to determine the best solution for you in your home. We welcome your inquiry!

Taking Steps To Secure A Safer Staircase

Most of us take walking up and down the stairs for granted. It’s a simple part of our everyday routines. However, there are many people who don’t look at the act of climbing stairs as an easy-to-do task. For both elderly individuals and people with mobility issues, stair-climbing is a hardship. In fact, for many, it’s a place where the likelihood of an injury is high. It is not an issue to be taken lightly.

As Cubby of Toronto’s Eldercare Home Health reports, “falls by seniors over 65, account for 70% of all deaths, from accidents on stairs.” So, what steps should be taken to secure a safer staircase in your home?

Ensure your stairs are not in disrepair.

Does your staircase have any loose floorboards? Are there cracks in the surfaces of the steps? Is there anything on the stairs that may impede someone from climbing them? It’s vital that your stairs are in tip-top shape. By ensuring that they are level and not dented or slanted, you will ensure proper footing on each step. If there are any defects with your staircase, it’s important to repair them immediately.

“Make sure there are no uneven surfaces, cracks, bunched-up stair-covering or protruding nails,” advises the Government of Canada website. The site recommends that you have a carpenter correct any uneven steps.

Make sure the stairwell is well lit.

It’s so much easier to avoid a trip and fall if you can see what is in front of you. Whether you are walking up or down the stairs, it’s important to have the steps brightly lit. This is especially important if members of your household have any vision impairments. The elderly are particularly cautioned against using dimly-lit stairs. It should also go without saying that tripping hazards should be removed from the steps to keep them safe.

As Cubby reports, “one research study, reported in Investigative Ophthalmology, found that artificially blurred vision slowed healthy people climbing stairs by 11%. Their uncertainty caused the subjects to shift their balance forward and to increase the height and forward swing of each step they took. If you’re uncertain on stairs but you don’t have knee pain on stairs, it could be time to have your eyes checked for cataracts.”

Exercise regularly to increase strength and mobility.

The stronger you are, the better you’ll be able to support yourself using the handrail of your staircase. The better in shape you are, the less likely you will grow tired of climbing up and down the stairs. By exercising regularly, you provide yourself with a multitude of health benefits. Making yourself a stronger and safer climber of the stairs is just one of those benefits.

“You may not have exercised in years but the good news is that you don’t have to go to a gym to strengthen your knees, legs and ankles or to do balance exercises,” informs Cubby, “A sturdy chair, your bed, a table and even your stairs are about all you need to do some basic exercises.”

Install a stair lift.

A stair lift is an effective solution when a set of stairs keeps you from enjoying your whole home. Advantage Home Health Solutions always ensures you have the complete picture to make an informed stair lift purchase. We’ll help you to choose the stair lift solution that is best for you! 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!

A Guide For Seniors To Bolster Their Strength And Balance

A Guide For Seniors To Bolster Their Strength And Balance

Regularly addressing the needs of the older adults in our community, our team is adamant about keeping seniors safe all year round. A major reason is because falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of non-fatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. This week we look at ways to bolster strength and balance.

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.