If you’re thinking about how to improve your home’s accessibility, you’ll be glad to know you have several options to choose from. Stair lifts, home elevators, and vertical platform lifts (VPLs) are all excellent ways to optimize mobility within your living space. But how do you know when it’s the right moment to consider adding an accessibility lift to your home?
While there is no wrong time to enhance your home’s safety and functionality, we’ve found the following 11 signs are excellent indicators that your home will benefit from an accessibility lift.
1. Your home has one or more flights of stairs
Managing stairways can become physically demanding at any time, whether due to long-term mobility challenges, an unexpected injury, or the natural aging process. That’s why sign #1 that you may benefit from adding an accessibility lift to your home applies to anyone whose house features multiple flights of stairs!
Stair lifts, home elevators, and residential wheelchair lifts can provide a safe and efficient way to move throughout your home. Installing an accessibility lift in a multistory home can also be a cost-effective alternative to other options, like relocating to a single-story residence.
2. You’ve decided to make your current home your forever home
If you’ve decided to stay in your current home long term, adding an accessibility lift may help future-proof your home. For example, home elevators are a practical and even luxurious solution to prepare for physical limitations that may arise over time.
Of course, committing to stay in your home for the rest of your life doesn’t necessarily mean you must make changes, but developing a long-term mindset regarding your surroundings shines a spotlight on potential future obstacles.
Accessibility lifts eliminate many concerns and risks associated with navigating stairs, ensuring your home is comfortable and safe for the long term. For example, they reduce the likelihood of falls and injuries, which can become more critical as we get older.
3. You’d like to make your home accessible for multiple generations
If you intend to open your home to an elderly friend or relative, considering their mobility needs is imperative.
An accessibility lift promotes inclusivity and independence for everyone, regardless of physical capabilities, and fosters a sense of togetherness within the family. Installing a stair chair lift or home elevator can help you create a welcoming home that caters to all generations.
4. You’re considering a remodel, renovation, or addition to your home
If you already intend to work on your home, adding an accessibility lift could be a well-timed addition. Integrating it into your project allows you to seamlessly blend it into the overall upgrade of your home’s design.
This proactive approach allows you to create a more accessible living environment without extra disruptions or additional future construction. It can also be cost-effective since you can coordinate the installation with your already-planned construction work.
5. You’d like to increase the resale value of your home
Bringing an accessibility lift into your home can be a strategic move to enhance its resale value by offering a unique amenity that can set your property apart. Home elevators, in particular, are likely to add value to your residence.
Homebuyers often see elevators as a premium feature providing a unique touch of luxury. The combination of utility and elegance makes a home elevator a valuable investment and a practical, inclusive solution.
6. You’ve stumbled going up or down the stairs
If you’ve ever tripped or felt unsteady while navigating stairs, you know that the sensation of losing balance can be disconcerting. Not to mention, it signals a potentially significant risk for falls, particularly for older adults.
Stair lifts are a reliable way to address the problem. With safety features like seatbelts, armrests, and sensors that detect stair obstructions, they can get you there smoothly while keeping you out of harm’s way.
7. You’ve considered other accessibility upgrades such as handrails or walk-in tubs
If you’ve thought about taking a first step toward improving your home’s accessibility, perhaps it’s time to consider a more comprehensive solution. While handrails along the walls or a walk-in bathtub can be helpful, they may not be everything you need to get around safely.
An accessibility lift can accompany other upgrades like handrails or walk-in tubs to create an environment that provides even more mobility assistance. Stair lifts, wheelchair lifts, or home elevators can help you create a fully accessible living space.
8. You get winded going up or down a flight of stairs
If you have difficulty breathing when going up or down flights of stairs, it can quickly take the enjoyment out of being in your home. Additionally, the physical strain of going up and down stairs can make underlying health conditions worse.
All types of accessibility lifts can provide a comfortable, energy-conserving way to move between different levels of your home, making it easier to manage your house independently.
9. A family member cannot take part in activities due to stair concerns
You may have friends or family members who cannot fully enjoy your home due to the presence of stairs. Ignoring this obstacle may exclude them from gatherings and shared experiences. Adding an accessibility lift can help.
Whether your loved one wants to reach a hobby room, laundry room, a guest suite, or another part of the home, an accessibility lift gives them the access they need. This will allow them to regain the freedom to pursue their interests, visit, contribute to chores, and simply live independently.
10. You experience significant pain using staircases
Feeling pain when walking up or down a staircase is not fun. It could even make you dread moving around within your home. Therefore, installing an accessibility lift, like a stairway chair lift or shaftless home elevator, can be a life-changing decision. These devices enable a pain-free way to move between floors while alleviating the strain on your body and minimizing further irritation.
By investing in an accessibility lift, you create a space where you can continue to enjoy your daily activities without unnecessary discomfort.
11. A medical professional advises caution about stairs or to avoid them if possible
When a medical professional like your doctor or physical therapist advises you to use caution or to avoid stairways altogether, it’s often because they know stairs could pose a significant risk. This is particularly true if you’ve been diagnosed with a heart condition or have another ailment that affects mobility or balance. A stair lift or home elevator can be compelling options in such cases.
By heeding valuable guidance and setting up an accessibility lift, you minimize the risk of accidents, falls, or worsening of your health. Moreover, installing one is a forward-looking approach to managing and maintaining your standard of living.
Explore Your Home Accessibility Options
Recognizing the signs that may indicate a need for home accessibility options like stair lifts, home elevators, and wheelchair lifts is an excellent step toward enhancing safety and independence for yourself or your loved ones. Whether it’s the physical strain of climbing stairs, medical recommendations, or the desire to make your home more inclusive, accessibility lifts offer versatile solutions to meet your mobility needs.
As a family-run business, we understand the importance of these considerations and offer a wide range of options for your unique requirements. If you recognize any of these signs, take it as a call to explore the accessibility options that Arrow Lift provides and make your home a safer and more enjoyable place for you and your family!
