Stairs can present a hazard for many people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 12% of U.S. adults have a mobility issue that makes stairs difficult or dangerous to navigate.
Add an injury to that equation, and getting up and down stairs safely may become downright impossible. And given that many homes and apartments have multiple levels — whether a basement or an upper floor — an injury could make some areas of your home completely inaccessible.
If you have stairs at home and are recovering from a serious injury, where does that leave you? Is your only option to avoid part of your house or move into a single-level residence?
Fortunately, no — there are other options. A stair lift provides an affordable and safe way to navigate stairs after an injury. Some rehab facilities may even require you to add one before returning home. So, let’s take a look at how stair lifts can restore your mobility and help you move safely around your home again.
Stair Lifts
A stair lift is a convenient, construction-free chair lift system that sits directly along the side of your staircase. It rests on a simple, non-intrusive rail, which is installed directly on the stair tread to prevent any damage to your walls.
The battery-powered chair glides safely along the rail to transport you up and down the stairs, and you control its movement with a joystick or button. When parked between uses, the lift automatically recharges so you don’t run out of power.
Stair lifts are also fully customizable, so they can be designed to fit the unique layout of your home and stairways. Straight lifts fit staircases with no turns, for instance, while curved stair lifts can follow curved stairways or even turn around 90-degree corners. Some lifts are even designed to work outdoors, providing easy access to porches, decks, or patios.
These lift systems have numerous safety features to prevent falls or other accidents. Arrow Lift products include sensor switches on the sides of the footrest and carriage, along with barrier arm safeties to ensure you’re properly seated and no obstructions are blocking the lift. You can further equip stair lifts with weight sensors, seat belts, and leg restraints as needed.
The bottom line is simple. Adding a stair lift keeps your house and stairs fully intact while allowing you to move freely in your home after an injury,
Curious about trying an Arrow Lift stair lift for your home? Visit a Local Showroom
Helpful Stair Lift Features
Besides the above general characteristics, stairlifts can also have a number of other popular features to further enhance safety and ease of use.
Automatic Power Swivel
The power swivel feature makes an excellent addition for narrow staircases or users with difficulty getting in and out of the chair in a tight space. When the chair reaches the top or bottom of the staircase, it automatically swivels outward to allow for easier access.
All Arrow Lift chairs have a built-in manual swivel. However, the automatic version makes it easier for many individuals recovering from an injury to get in and out of the chair without additional movement.
Retractable Rail
Many stairways have an open walkway at the bottom, so a fully extended rail would present a trip hazard for anyone walking by. Retractable rail stair lifts eliminate this problem. When the lift is not in use, the rail automatically retracts onto the stairs, leaving the walkway free and clear.
Remote Controls
You may not be the only one at home using the stair lift, and this can cause problems when someone else wants to use the lift parked at the other end of the stairs. Remote-control-powered stair lifts offer a simple solution. With a remote on either end of the stairs, users can call the lift up or down with ease.
Restore Your Mobility at Home
Serious injuries can have a long-term impact on your mobility. Suddenly, your once-safe home may become a more difficult place to get around.
Home safety is too important to ignore, but that doesn’t mean an injury has to force you to move out. Stair lifts offer a simple, affordable way to make your stairs safe again. No construction is required, and the lift automatically maintains a charge to ensure you can get up and down the stairs safely.
Better yet, Arrow Lift stair lifts are fully customizable. We’ll design yours to fit your home and suit your mobility needs.
Since 1985, Arrow Lift has been in the business of helping our customers overcome barriers. From 