Growing old with the ones you love is a feast for the eyes.

You are surrounded by your children and grandchildren, watching them grow and succeed. But like everything else, aging has its own problems. One of these problems is the loss of the ability to move freely. Age can make simple tasks, such as walking around the house, more difficult. This can become especially challenging if your home has stairs.

As technology advances, various solutions have emerged to help people. Whenever a physical injury or disability occurs, technology finds solutions that make it easier to deal with it. Likewise, for mobility issues in the elderly and physically disabled, there are various technological solutions that can make walking up and down stairs easier. One of these solutions is a stair lift.

What is a stair lift?

A stair lift, stair lift or chair lift is a power chair device that makes it easy to go up and down stairs. These electronic seating devices make it possible to go up and down stairs comfortably and easily. The chair moves slowly and smoothly on the railing it is attached to, making it safe.

The way this device works is very simple, making it ideal for people with limited mobility and balance issues. It can be used in multi-story houses and even workplaces. Now that we understand what a stair lift is, let’s move on to discussing the different types available.

Stair lifts are divided into four basic categories based on the type of stairs. Different types of stairs include:

• Straight rail stair lift
  The most common type of stairlift on the market is the straight rail stairlift. As the name suggests, they are designed for stairs that have no curves or bends. They are the easiest to install and the most cost-effective. Stair lifts are especially economical, easy to install and don’t require much training or instruction. These typically use standardized rails and require minimal time and effort to install. Although they are mass produced, you can even measure and install them yourself.
• Stair lift with curved rails
  Curved stairlifts can be individually adjusted to the respective requirements. The design of the balustrade perfectly adapts to the curve of the staircase. Since it needs to be custom made, fabrication and installation can take weeks. It also accommodates center landings and is less disruptive than straight rail chairs, which cause minimal disruption. Since all stairs are unique, curved rail stair lifts require professional help to install. A professional will be able to better understand the types of rails available and suitable. However, this costs a bit more than a straight rail stair lift.
• Outdoor stair lift

The main difference between other categories of stairlifts and outdoor stairlifts is that they are modified to withstand harsh environments. Outdoor stair lifts are weatherproofed to withstand the weather outside. These help manage stairs on outdoor decks, porches and patios, depending on the type of stairs in question. They come with a waterproof cover and marine-grade vinyl. Some manufacturers may even offer you chairs that can be adapted for both indoor and outdoor use with some modifications.

Features to check when purchasing a stair lift

In addition to the style and design of your stairs, stair lifts have a few other features. Here are some features to consider when looking for a stair lift:

• Folding seats
  To save space on stairs, some stairlifts offer folding seats for convenience when not in use. It helps prevent accidents such as bumps into the seat and scrapes.
• Swiveling seats
  Many stair lift models have a swivel feature that allows you to change the direction of your seat at the start and end of the rails. This feature allows you to land safer at the top or bottom of stairs because you can exit on a flat floor.
• Armrests
  Most stairlifts are equipped with handrails to ensure a safe ride. It also ensures comfort and gives you room to rest your arms instead of leaving them hanging.
• Footrest
  Some stairlifts also come with footrests. This makes you feel safe and comfortable while climbing stairs. It also prevents your feet from hitting steps every time you go up or down a hill.
• Seat belts
  Automotive-grade seat belts that come with some stair lifts help keep the driver safe in the seat. This is especially helpful if the rider has balance issues and the movement of the stair lift, no matter how smooth, causes them to lose their balance.
• Safety sensors
  Safety sensors on these seats can help detect obstacles in their path. It detects objects that may interfere with the chair's normal movement or functionality.
• Remote control
  This feature is especially useful when there are multiple users. It can help summon a chair to the top or bottom of stairs without the need for a second person.

If you are one of these people, or have difficulty sitting and prefer to take the stairs, there are other solutions. Another option for climbing stairs at your leisure is a standing stair lift. You can think of it as a sturdy helper to help you safely climb stairs alone. Standing stair lifts are like handles on the rails that you can grab when you need to go upstairs to the bathroom or downstairs to the kitchen to grab your reading glasses.