What to Look for When Choosing Stairlifts In Colorado
Did you know that falling down the stairs is the leading cause of serious injuries for adults over the age of 65? As you get older, sometimes it is necessary to have extra support in place to allow you to continue living independently, like stairlifts.
However, seniors aren't the only ones that benefit from stairlifts. Those with mobility issues under 65 can significantly increase their quality of life with stairlifts.
Sometimes referred to as “chair lifts” or “stair lift chairs”, stairlifts can be a gateway to a new level of independence in the home.
If you're interested in buying a stairlift to help enhance your quality of life, keep reading for everything you need to know about buying stairlifts in Colorado.
Who Needs a Stairlift?
Stairlifts are an excellent tool for anyone who does not have the ability to climb or descend stairs. This motorized device uses a rail system to carry an individual up and down the stairs.
At times, you may only need a stairlift temporarily in your home; this does not need to be a permanent fixture; you can rent a stairlift for short term needs.
If you are older, have a disability, chronic illness, long-term injury or sickness, or other mobility disorders, a stairlift might be right for your home.
Myths About Stairlifts
What are some things you have heard about stairlifts? There are some common myths about stairlifts out there.
Before you can begin the process of choosing a stairlift, it is important to address the common misconceptions that exist.
Myth: Stairlifts Take the Whole Staircase
The average staircase is going to have enough room to install a stairlift, and there will be room for others to traverse the stairs on foot.
When the chair for your stairlift is at the top or bottom of the stairs, typically, the arms, seat, and footrest can get folded, so they are not in the way of individuals who need to walk up and down the stairs.
Myth: You Can't Have a Stairlift With a Curved Staircase
Whether your staircase has bends or curves, there is a stairlift solution. We will discuss this more later, but there are stairlifts that can get installed on staircases that have curves or turns.
Myth: Stairlifts Are Run Only on Electricity
If your power goes out because of a bad storm, what do you do? Are you simply stuck upstairs or downstairs? Or do you attempt to navigate the stairs on foot with no lift?
If your stairlift were operated on just electricity, these would be important questions. However, that's not the case.
Your stairlift is plugged into your home's electricity, but a battery actually backs up and powers the machine.
This means that even in the case of a power outage, you are covered for a number of rides. Talk to your provider for specific information about how long your stairlift can operate off the battery.
Myth: Stairlifts Are Attached to the Wall
Are you worried about damage to your walls from installing a stairlift? If you're installing your stairlift on a short-term basis, this concern might be even more significant.
The last thing you want is to end up with a destroyed wall from your assistive devices.
Here's the good news, your stairlift rail is not attached to the wall when it is installed on a staircase. Your stairlift will get mounted on the treads of your stairs.
Myth: You Have to Enter or Exit Your Stairlift on a Step
This can be a quite concerning myth. If you or your loved one has to get off the stairlift on a step, there is still an inherent risk. However, your stairlift gets set up so that you are exiting on a landing.
When you get to the top of the stairs, the seat will swivel to help aid in a safe entry and exit. There is also potential for an extended overrun rail at the top of the stairs. This allows the person to exit even further from the stairs.
Myth: Stairlifts Mean a Loss of Independence
A stairlift actually maintains your independence. If you are at a point in your life when navigating the stairs is no longer safe, you can become a prisoner in your own home.
You end up being confined to one level instead of having the ability to roam freely around your home. A stairlift restores your ability to move about your home without assistance.
It is a freeing option. If you cannot safely navigate your steps and attempt to do so and get injured, you will also lose more freedom. This could lead to months in a hospital, rehab, or even worse, death.
Myth: Only the Elderly Use Stairlifts
If you are young and robust, it can be challenging to accept the fact that you need mobility aids, even if it is only for a short time.
However, while the truth of the fact is that stairlifts are mostly used by older individuals, they are not exclusive to this community. If you have experienced a significant injury, a stairlift could mean you get to return home and have the independence to navigate your house while you continue recovering.
Stairlifts are also great options for individuals with disabilities who struggle with mobility. They can allow these individuals to live in their own homes instead of an assisted living facility.
Stairlift Considerations
When you are considering getting a stairlift, there will be a few things you need to account for. Each of these factors will play a big role in the stairlift that gets installed in your home.
An experienced technician can help you as you discuss the options. However, here are the basics.
The Shape of Your Stairs
Which stairlift do you need?
Are your stairs curved or straight? This will determine the type of stairlift you need for your home.
Straight Staircase
If your staircase is a straight line, meaning you can stand directly at the bottom of the stairs and see the top with no bend or curve to navigate, you need a straight stairlift.
These stairlifts run on straight rails and can go on steep, narrow, and long runs.
Curved Staircase
If there are any bends, curves, fan-shaped, or corners on your staircase, you need either multiple straight stairlifts or a curved stairlift. So, for example, if you have a staircase where you walk up six steps and then turn to go up six more steps to the top, even though there is only a small bend, you will need to consider either two separate small straight stairlifts where you "transfer" from one to the other on the landing or you will need a curved stairlift that takes you from the very bottom to the very top in one track.
Curved stairlifts offer a custom design built to fit the shape of your staircase. They can also go on stairs that have one 90 degree turn or stairs with multiple bends and turns.
This allows for a stairlift and added independence even if you do not have a straight staircase.
Specific Needs
The next consideration is your specific needs. It is important that your stairlift works for you and that you're comfortable using it. If this is not the case, it is simply a piece of equipment that sits in your home and gathers dust.
There are a variety of factors to consider when it comes to your needs. These are important things to talk to stairlift companies and therapists about.
They can help you work through these concerns and work to make sure your stairlift addresses your concerns.
Weight
Weight is one thing you will want to take into consideration. The weight limit of your stairlift is in part dependent on the model you get.
Your average stairlift will support around 280 to 300 pounds. If you are over that weight, you will need to consider a bariatric stairlift.
These lifts can often support up to 500 pounds and are built with a larger person in mind. If you are in need of a bigger chair, consider the need for a longer seatbelt, wider or longer armrests, and a deeper or wider seat as well.
Each of these factors will make a chair built for a heavier person more comfortable. While the cost is going to be higher for a bariatric stairlift, it is worth the peace of mind if you need it.
Height
If you have problems with your hips, knees, or back, the height of your stairlift seat is important. Some models have adjustable seat heights, but this is not an option on every model.
Your typical seat on a stairlift is going to be 19 to 20 inches from the floor to the seat level. However, you can also choose a perch stairlift.
A perch stairlift is a stand-up stairlift. On this type of stairlift, you remain standing, and it only requires minimal bending of your knees.
Swivel Seat
Stairlifts have a swivel seat; this seat allows you to turn the seat when you get to the top or bottom of the stairs.
The seat turns, and you are able to safely exit your stairlift safely and away from the stairs. Many stairlifts have a manual control.
To turn your seat, you will need to push a lever that releases a swivel lock; you can then physically rotate the seat. Similarly to turning in your seat in a desk chair.
However, this is not an option for everyone. For individuals with spinal injuries or limited movement, this task can be very difficult. If that is your experience, speak to a mobility expert first at (303)993-3010
There are power swivels available on certain models. This power swivel helps your chair automatically turn at the landing level so that you are able to safely exit the stairlift.
Controls
Do you have limitations in your movement when it comes to your hands or wrists? This is something that needs to be considered when your stairlift gets installed.
If you might have difficulty with operating the controls, you can talk to one of our experts at Mobility Plus Colorado about potential solutions. These solutions can include a joystick mechanism or toggle controls.
The key is to find a solution that works for you, and make sure that the model installed makes that solution viable. In addition, if you have one hand that can perform those functions, the controls can get situated in a way that supports the use of your preferred hand.
Footrest
The footrest on your chair can get folded up and down. However, your standard chair comes equipped with a footrest that you need to bend to fold.
If this is not a possibility for you, this is another important discussion to have. There are a couple of solutions that can get put in place to address this need.
First, you can have a power-folding footrest added to your seat. With this, when you lift the seat of your chair up, the footrest will also fold. Or if you put the seat down, the footrest will also go down.
While this is a viable solution, it's not always possible for everyone to sit or stand from the chair with the footrest down. If this is the case, your footrest can get activated by the arm of the chair.
With this, your power-folding footrest can get folded up and down with the push of a button.
The final option to consider with your footrest is the size. If you need a larger footrest, talk to your installer about the possibility of upgrading the size of your footrest.
Fit
You want to ensure that you will be comfortable in your chair on your stairlift. To ensure this, consider testing out different models which you can do here.
This will help with any anxiety around installing a stairlift in your home. It will also ensure that your ride is comfortable and you don't dread going up or down the stairs.
Can Stairlifts Accommodate Wheelchairs?
Stairlifts have a seat. If you utilize a wheelchair, you will need to have the ability to transfer from one seat to another.
You will also need another wheelchair waiting for you on the other end. If transferring from one chair to another is not an option for you, you may want to consider an inclined platform lift for your home.
If you would like to stay seated in your wheelchair and for you and your wheelchair to be lifted up the stairs together then you would want to explore an "Incline Platform Lift". While similar in function to a stairlift, there are differences and limitations you should discuss with a mobility specialist.
Safety Considerations
Beyond the shape of your stairs or personal needs, it's important to consider safety features available on potential stairlifts.
Your stairlift is designed to help you navigate your home safely. As such, it will have a couple of features to help you remain safe while riding up the stairs.
Seatbelt
Buckle up! It's not a wild ride, but you should still buckle up as you ride your stairlift up and down.
Your stairlift will come installed with a seatbelt. This seatbelt will help ensure that you stay in your seat.
If you lose your balance or struggle to stay upright, this feature will help you feel even safer. Even if you are not worried about falling out of your chair, you should wear your seatbelt as a precaution.
Sensors
Are you concerned about your lift running into obstacles on the stairs? If you have children visiting your home or drop items on the stairs, or have a pet that likes to make themselves comfortable on the stairs that could be a concern.
However, there are safety sensors in the footplate and motor of your stairlift. These sensors will automatically stop the lift when it encounters an obstacle.
Speed
The speed of your chairlift is far from that of a rollercoaster. Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to your stairlift.
This helps ensure that if for some reason, your lift does need to stop, it is a slow and gentle stop instead of abrupt.
Cost and Budget
The cost of your stairlift and your budget are important things to consider when getting a stairlift. While these mobility aids do help with independence, they come at a cost.
The cost of your stairlift is based on the different features needed. For example, a straight staircase stairlift will typically have a lower price than a curved staircase stairlift.
As you customize your stairlift, you will see increases in the cost from customizations. However, when it comes to your safety and independence, upgrades are important to consider.
It is better to pay more for the features that you need than to get hurt in the future. If you are unable to purchase a stairlift, there are rental options.
However, you should also consider various funding options for your stairlift.
Veterans Affairs
For veterans (thank you for your service), there are a couple of options when it comes to funding. If you were injured in the line of duty, the VA will pay for a stairlift.
However, if your need for a stairlift is not related to an injury that occurred in service, there are still options. You can apply for VA Aid and Attendance benefit.
To be eligible for these benefits, you must be eligible for a pension.
Insurance
Many insurance companies will not pay for stairlifts. However, it is important that you still contact your insurance provider to ask.
While Medicaid will not cover the cost of a stairlift, you still have options for stairlifts in Colorado.
Colorado has a Medicaid waiver that covers home modifications. The home modification waiver can help pay for modifications with a lifetime cap of 14,000 dollars.
This is an excellent option to explore if you need a stairlift, but are unable to afford one.
Consumer Financing
At Mobility Plus Colorado, we offer financing to buyers who are qualified. In this circumstance, you will pay your stairlift off in monthly payments.
Often you will need to place a down payment, and there will be an interest rate.
Other Options
You can also choose to pay for your stairlift through other financing options. This can include a home improvement loan, state grant, or other state-based home modification programs.
Check out the area you live in and grants that are available to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.
Rent to Own
You can rent-to-own a stairlift through Mobility Plus. With this option, you are paying on your stairlift every month and will eventually own it.
Do You Need a New or Rental Stairlift?
Typically, a rental is recommended if you are going to need the stairlift for less than one year. Simply put, the math works in your favor for a rental over a purchase if you need it for a year or less
If you are unable to climb stairs for a week or a couple of months after a knee procedure then renting for that time is financially a better choice.
However, know that rentals are more limited in their customization. If you need additional features you may have to go the purchasing route.
Purchases and rentals both typically come with warranties on components, parts and labor. Rentals are usually covered while you're renting while purchases may have end dates on those warranties.
Choosing Your Stairlift Company
The stairlift company you choose is important. This will be the company that you work with to ensure that your stairlift meets your needs.
There are various things to think about when you are considering what company to choose for your stairlift.
Research the Dealer and Brands
When you are looking for a dealer, you don't want just anyone. You want a dealer that cares.
A dealer that genuinely cares will help you factor your unique needs into the decision. They will ask questions that help them identify your needs and answer the questions you have.
A company that cares about you will show you they care by ensuring that you have a solution that provides for your comfort, safety, and independence.
Look into the brands of stairlifts recommended or offered. You can find out about the different features and decide if what is offered is the right choice for you.
Ask About the Technicians
Installing your stairlift is not a DIY project. Before you decide to buy a stairlift online and install it yourself, stop.
Stairlifts are the safest when an experienced tech who is factory-trained installs your stairlift. Ask if the technicians that work for the company you are considering are licensed, insured, and factory-trained.
Read Reviews
It's not hard to find out about a company anymore. There are details online for every business.
Take the time to find the reviews for the companies you are considering and read them. These reviews will help to boost your confidence in the company you are choosing.
What Happens After Installation?
When your stairlift gets installed, does the company walk away and forget about you? Or do they continue to offer services?
Your stairlift will need regular maintenance, and at times it will need repairs. You want to choose a company that will provide these services for you after your lift gets installed.
Keeping your stairlift clean is also important. Choosing a company that provides cleaning services for your stairlift will help too. If the company you choose offers cleaning, maintenance, and repairs, you will have the option to get all of your services from one company.
Warranty
Make sure you talk to the companies you are considering about a warranty. When you purchase a stairlift, you want it to continue working for years to come.
However, if something does happen, having a warranty will help to ensure that as long as the warranty covers it, you won't be paying exorbitant repair costs.
Ask about warranties offered on products and make sure you understand what the warranty does and does not cover.
How Does Buying a Stairlift Work?
Are you ready to buy your stairlift? As you begin the process, there are various steps you will need to take.
Each of these steps will help you to make your decision with confidence.
Gather Information
Take the time to gather information and do your research. As you gather, information make a list of the questions you have.
This list will be important to ensure that all of your questions get answered, and you do not forget the questions you want to ask in the course of the conversation you will have.
While you are doing your research, ensure that you take the time to explore funding options. When you go to get your stairlift, you will want to have an idea of how you will pay and when you can get your stairlift installed.
Call Mobility Plus or contact them online and ask your questions.
Schedule an In-Home Consultation
This consultation is about finding out what you need. You can talk to your specialist about your specific needs and making sure you get a lift that meets those needs at this consultation.
This also gives the company you plan to purchase your stairlift from the opportunity to see your stairs and take measurements if necessary. This will help them know what models to recommend for your home.
Get an Estimate
Once you are able to identify what you need, you can work with your stairlift specialist to discuss the cost. If you need financing, ask your specialist during your in-home consultation about the financing options they have.
Ask About Visiting the Showroom
Mobility Plus Colorado allows you to visit the showroom for an opportunity to see different models and test them out. This gives you the opportunity to see different models of stairlifts and test them out.
This can help you feel safe with your decision and know more about what to expect when your stairlift gets installed.
Purchase
After you have done your research and decided on your stairlift, it is time to make your purchase. Once you make your purchase, you can begin the process of getting your stairlift installed.
Installation
Once you purchase your stairlift, it's time to get it installed. You will schedule with the company a time that works for both of you.
Mobility Plus is at times able to do a next-day installation. At that time, technicians will come to your home to complete the installation.
It does take longer to install a curved staircase stairlift. You should make sure to discuss how much time is needed for the installation when scheduling your appointment.
Once your stairlift gets installed, your technicians can help you learn how to use and operate your lift.
What If You No Longer Need a Stairlift?
If you move to a different home or no longer need your stairlift for other reasons, you can look into companies that may buy and remove your used stairlift.
However, you can expect to get less back than you paid for it. This is because they will need to come to remove the stairlift and pay for the cost of refurbishing it.
Once it is refurbished, the company will have the ability to sell it again. However, because it is used, it gets sold at a lower cost. This is one of the reasons you should consider a rental if you will only utilize your stairlift or other mobility aids for a short time.
Call About Stairlifts in Colorado Today
Stairlifts are a great mobility tool to help you maintain your independence at home. Your stairlift can easily get customized to meet your individual needs and ensure your comfort when riding the lift up and down your stairs.
Mobility Plus is ready to help you with stairlifts in Colorado. We want to ensure that you can live your best life in your own home.
Reach out and contact us today for questions about stairlift installation in your home or other mobility aids such as vehicle lifts or ramps.