Sometimes, feeling safe and at ease in your own home is something that gets taken for granted. As we age, something that used to be a favorite feature in our home can suddenly become a big challenge. The grand two-story foyer that you fell in love with may mean that half of your home is trapped on the other end of a long staircase. Or perhaps your backyard is several steps down from the raised deck that you enjoy so much. Finding a reliable solution to overcome these issues will help you remain safe and comfortable for years to come.
One of the most common barriers that aging adults face is a home with multiple levels. As balance and mobility become more of a challenge, one or more sets of stairs can stand in the way of full access to your home. Luckily, there are several safe, reliable solutions to help you conquer the stairs and continue to move freely from one floor of your home to another.
Stair Lifts
Stair lifts are a construction-free way to modify your home and easily regain access to a second floor or basement. A stair lift can be installed onto nearly any staircase, making it a good solution for most homes. Whether you have an older home with narrow stairs, or a custom curving staircase in a grand entry, there is likely a stair lift solution for your home. They can even be added to an outdoor staircase for easy access to a front porch or deck.
Stair lifts are easy to use, and many straight stair lifts can be installed within a few days of purchase. You can customize your stair lift to suit your home with a wide variety of seat colors, and customizable rail colors. Our expert install technician will show you exactly how to use your lift and make sure that you’re comfortable before leaving your home after installation.
When shopping for a stair lift, we always hope that you have the opportunity to “try before you buy.” Similar to buying a car, while it’s not an absolute “must,” it can be very helpful for a variety of reasons. For example, if you haven’t used a stair lift before, it can reduce uncertainty by simply trying it in person.
Change Your Furniture Layout
Consider rearranging or changing out some of your furniture. This can be a quick, low or no cost, and effective way to make your home more accessible. Consider how you want to use your space and eliminate or change any unnecessary items. You may be able to create wider pathways in the dining room by removing a table leaf, or move an accent chair from the main living room to a spare bedroom. Wider pathways can make it easier to safely navigate homes with a walker or wheelchair.
Residential Wheelchair Lifts
A wheelchair lift consists of a platform that safely carries the user and their wheelchair, walker, or scooter vertically from one level to another. They’re often installed in garages to allow safe access into the home. They can also be installed outside to allow access to a deck or porch. Wheelchair lifts are often a great alternative to large and bulky wheelchair ramps because they take up a static footprint regardless of how far the user needs to travel vertically. Ramps, on the other hand, can become very long when travel is more than 1 to 2 steps vertically.
Grab Bars and Hand Rails
Adding grab bars or hand rails is a simple solution to provide additional support, particularly in high risk areas. Grab bars are commonly installed in bathrooms, particularly to help with entering and exiting the shower/tub. Most grab bars and handles can be easily installed by a professional, and bolt directly into the wall.
Home Elevators
Adding an elevator to your home is a great way to add value while increasing accessibility. Home elevators provide a practical solution for multi-floor homes, allowing travel between up to 5 floors. Many of the most popular models are wheelchair or walker accessible, and can be fully customized to suit your home interior.
For many existing homes, a shaftless home elevator is often a good solution. Their small footprint, and adaptable design make them ideal for existing homes with limited space. Shaftless home elevators require minimal construction, but may not be suitable for full-sized wheelchairs to ride in them. When choosing a home elevator design, we recommend considering current and future needs to ensure that you make a decision that will suit you and your home for a lifetime.
The Arrow Lift Difference
In addition to our stair lift showroom in Urbandale, we also offer free in-home consultations. Our no-cost At Arrow Lift, we’re committed to providing you with cost-effective and reliable solutions to stay in the home you love. We understand that a lifetime of memories has been built in your home, and want to make sure you continue to enjoy those memories as you age. Contact us today for a free on-site consultation and let our experts help you find the right solution for your home and your needs.
