The ability to move freely around the house makes daily life easier. But mobility challenges can make getting around painful and, in some cases, dangerous.
Fortunately, there are lots of ways to minimize mobility challenges and regain access to areas inside and outside of your home. From stair lifts to home elevators and more, you have choices when it comes to enhancing mobility.
To make the decision easier, we’ve compiled a list of the top mobility solutions for seniors. Ahead, we’ll take a look at the benefits, installation timelines and ideal situations for each mobility solution.
Mobility Solutions That Make Life Easier
Finding the right accessibility lift begins with understanding your options. Explore the top mobility solutions for seniors below.
Stair Lifts
Stair lifts, also referred to as chair lifts, offer a simple and reliable solution when you have trouble navigating the staircase in your home. The chair lift consists of the chair, the rail and the finish.
Chairs come in different sizes and shapes, so you can select the option that feels comfortable and fits on your staircase.
The rail of a stair lift also comes in multiple configuration options. Retractable rails, for example, can move out of the way to prevent people in the home from tripping.
The finish refers to how the user gets off of the lift at the top of the staircase. Some models offer a power swivel option that automatically turns the chair at the landing for easy transfer off the lift.
Stair Lift Pros:
- Require no construction and can be installed in hours.
- Can be installed indoors and outdoors.
- Cost-effective solution.
- Reduces the fear of tripping and falling on the stairs.
Stair Lift Cons:
- While it is rare, some staircases can’t accommodate the stair lift a user requires. Read about stair lift requirements to find out more, and contact Arrow Lift for a free consultation.
- Individuals in wheelchairs usually need assistance getting on and off of the lift.
Home Elevators
Home elevators offer a luxurious and convenient way to move between floors in your home. These quality mobility solutions for seniors can be designed to blend into a home or make a design statement, all while allowing users to regain their independence. Residential elevators are made of three key components: the drive, the cab and the gate/doors.
The elevator drive influences the feel of the elevator ride. A hydraulic elevator drive offers the smoothest ride, while other drive options often offer more space-saving alternatives.
Next up is the home elevator car, or cab, which is the interior of your elevator. You can select various species of wood paneling for a classic, elegant wall option or opt for a glass interior for a sleek modern look. The options for cab interiors are numerous, giving you the ability to create the perfect cab for your home.
Last, up is the elevator gate and doors. You can opt for sliding doors, an accordion-style gate, three-panel gates, or one of the many other elevator door options that can be customized for ease of use, and to fit your home design.
Home Elevator Pros:
- Ultimate convenience.
- Fully customizable design, including interior details (buttons, handrails, etc.) and exterior.
- Allows users to bypass stairs altogether.
- Beautiful addition that adds to the value of your home.
Home Elevator Cons:
- Design and installation process takes longer than a stair lift.
- Larger initial investment; schedule a free consultation to learn more about home elevator options and pricing.
Residential Wheelchair Lifts
Residential wheelchair lifts are another mobility enhancing option. Also referred to as a vertical platform lift, these lifts allow you to move from one floor to the next without using the stairs. The wide base allows an individual in a wheelchair, scooter, or walker to easily move on and off the platform.
Residential wheelchair lifts consist of a platform, an electric drive and a set of controls that allow you to move the device up and down. Additionally, a platform enclosure can be installed to enhance the safety of the lift. There are many platform enclosure materials to choose from to suit the look of your home or outdoor area.
With the help of a lift, you can easily access an outdoor deck, garage or patio. Indoor wheelchair lifts allow you to bypass small staircases in the home. There are also inclined wheelchair lift options that move you up an existing staircase.
Wheelchair Lift Pros:
- Shorter installation process than a home elevator.
- Can be installed indoors and outdoors.
- User does not have to get in and out of a wheelchair to use it.
- Custom color, finish and enclosure options are available.
Wheelchair Lift Cons:
- Not ideal for traveling between multiple stories.
- Requires sufficient space in order to be installed.
Regain Independence with a Top Mobility Solution From Arrow Lift
Overcome barriers with a safe and effective solution from the experts at Arrow Lift. We are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality products that enhance your safety and your ability to access your home. We welcome you to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how our products can improve your daily life.
We look forward to helping you find your ideal mobility solution, and stay in the home that you love!
