Improving Staircase Safety at Home

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Improving the safety and accessibility of a home is one of the most important tasks of the caretaker of a senior or someone who is mobility challenged. The most dangerous part of a home is the staircase, and it is here that the majority of accidental fatalities among seniors occurs. Since the stairs can be so dangerous to a senior, it is very important for caretakers to take measures to prevent these kinds of accidents. Depending on the type of staircase, a stair lift will often be the easiest and most cost effective means of increasing safety and accessibility of the staircase.
In the case of a straight staircase, a stair lift can be an excellent and very inexpensive means of increasing staircase safety. Typically, a tracked stair lift system will work best with a straight staircase. In this type of system, a metal track, which is usually made out of aluminum, is attached directly to the steps of the staircase. A chair with an electric motor attached to it is then attached to the track. The chair then moves up and down the track, with the senior safely sitting down in it.
In some cases, however, a standing stair lift might be used, but since the senior will be standing as they are carried up the stairs, a great deal more balance is required. This makes is much less safer. A standing stair lift, which is called a perch lift, should only be used by seniors not suffering from dementia and with good overall balance. They should also be only used if a standing perch lift is required for medical reasons, such as in the case of someone who has had knee replacement surgery.
While the stair lift is an excellent choice for seniors with a straight staircase, a stair lift for a curved staircase can be much more expensive and take a great deal of time to install. If the staircase is a true curved staircase, as opposed to one the is shaped like an L, it can take months to have the stair lift built and installed. The lift also usually costs at least ten thousand more than a straight stair lift.
However, it is important to note that true curved staircases are not as common today. Most people with curved staircases have a staircase that is shaped like an L. An L shaped staircase is in essences simply two straight staircases that have been put together. There are several less expensive options for those with an L shaped staircase, the least expensive of which is to install two straight stair lifts. Installing two straight stair lifts onto an L shaped staircase is referred to as a dual stair lift installation and can be done on most L shaped staircases, providing a landing is present. There are also specific stair lift kits available for L shaped staircases are more expensive, but do not require the individual to switch stair lifts as they move up the stairs.
For a senior or other mobility challenged individual a stair lift provides an invaluable tool for increasing safety and accessibility.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Stair lifts are very common, but wheelchair users will typically need to use an elevator or wheelchair lifts.

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