The Disabilities that Stair Lifts Can Help With

The disabled community has gained a lot of recognition in recent years, and society at large has become more compassionate and understanding of them. This has also seen the development of new forms of technology to help ease their movement and communication. One such group of technology is that of stair and platform lifts, which allow the physically disabled to easily get around in their homes.

Being disabled shouldn’t hinder your ability to go to bed, go to the bathroom, or move anywhere in your own space. Although sadly some physical disabilities make it difficult for individuals to navigate stairways and even small increases in the height between areas of a house. As a provider of stair lifts Salt Lake City, we know that identifying which disabilities these kinds of lifts can help will guide the decision as to whether or not these are relevant in the home.

Here is a look at which disabilities benefit from the installation of stair- and other kinds of lifts in the home.

What Determines the Necessity of Physical Aid

As we will see from some of the specific disabilities below, there are some determining factors that dictate whether one needs physical assistance or not. Some people may not necessarily require a physical aid, but if their life would be greatly improved through the addition of one then it should be considered.

Experiencing the following factors may be alleviated through the installation of physical aids:

• Any impairment in motor function or inability to retain repetitive motor function
• Lapses in cognitive or mental functions
• Poor eyesight and impaired balance

As you may already know, the above symptoms can come from a huge number of different disabilities, ailments, or injuries. At our stair lifts Salt Lake City office, we most commonly service the houses of those suffering from physical impairments, Multiple Sclerosis, arthritis, and any degree of blindness.

Physical Impairments

There are a huge number of reasons why someone may have become physically impaired. Whether it was caused by a stroke, an injury, a disease, or is simply part of their unique aging, most impairments are uncomfortable and at times frustrating. Finding ways to manage these impairments usually involves doing certain things, and avoiding others. One thing that can be quite difficult for some people is navigating staircases and even slightly different levels between rooms.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis or MS is a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of the nerves. This disrupts nerve communication between the brain and body and can lead to pain, vision loss, fatigue, and impaired coordination. MS cannot be cured, but it can be treated, and when combined with physical aids such as vertical lifts, daily life can be managed around the symptoms.

Arthritis

Coming in a few different forms, arthritis can affect both the young and old, and can have a whole spectrum of severity in symptoms. The most typical symptoms are well-known, stiffness in the joints throughout the body. Although some other symptoms include a reduced range of motion, which can make moving up and down staircases incredibly difficult. Arthritis, like MS, cannot be cured, only treated, so combining treatment with a home that accommodates the lack of impairment can greatly improve quality of life.

Blindness

Whether caused by something specific or simply the deterioration of eyesight during the Golden years, blindness is terrifying at first. We don’t know how much we rely on our eyesight until it’s taken away, so when people start experiencing blindness they often make mistakes like missing the top or bottom step on a staircase. For the more frail elderly such mistakes can be deadly, so finding safer ways for them to navigate stairs is a must.

Stair Lifts for Disabilities

Here at Western Stairlifts, we don’t only sell stair lifts Salt Lake City, we offer a range of other devices which are just as relevant to the various disabilities. Depending on the individual and the house layout, some of these may be more relevant than others.

Stair Lifts

Put simply, a stair lift is a chair that lifts the user over a staircase usually on a rail system. This saves them from having to navigate the stairs, and lets them freely use multiple stories of the house. Stair lifts are only really relevant in homes with more than one story.

Vertical Lifts

For navigating much smaller differences in height, typically at the entryway or in houses where the floor height changes. Vertical lifts work as they sound, by lifting the user vertically up to the other area they are trying to reach. Vertical lifts are only relevant for climbing 4 to 6 feet.

Elevators

For those suffering from an extreme impairment, the best option may be an elevator. Thankfully there are much more compact versions than what we see in commercial buildings. A home elevator is suitable for houses with multiple floors or those with more severe impairment.

If you or a loved one have need of quality stair lifts for disabilities, Western Stair Lifts is here to help! With convenient installation and competitive pricing, we’ve helped many people get the right mobility equipment in their homes to boost independence and quality of life. Contact us today!