7 Essential Stairlift Features Explained

"By reading through these 7 essential stairlift features you will learn about the features that will make living your stairlift trouble free."
Karen Hird - 25th Nov 2005

As we become older one of the most frequent problems that arises is lack of mobility, which prevents you getting around like you used to. Or perhaps you are recovering from a hip operation, a stroke or maybe suffering from breathing problems. More often than not though it's simply that you don't have the energy or the strength.

The stairs in the home which once seemed so easy to negotiate can suddenly seem, well very daunting. Moving house or living downstairs is no way to live your life, but there is an answer - a stairlift. Today's stairlifts are very easy to use, attractively designed, safe and most importantly surprisingly affordable.

But as in all things quality is the key. So here are 7 essential features that we think you should look out for when choosing the right stairlift for you.

1. Safety Sensor - It's vital that your stairlift has safety sensors which automatically cut of the power to the lift when the sensors are activated. This makes sure that potentially serious accident can be prevented
2. A Swivel Seat - Many stair lifts have a fixed seat which can make access awkward, a fixed seat makes you do all the work when twisting and rising from a sitting position. Instead, make life easy for your self by choosing a model with a swivel seat, it's a real boom, especially when getting of at the top of the stairs.
3. Soft Start/Soft Stop - The last thing you want when you begin or end your journey is an abrupt jolt, not only is this uncomfortable but it can prove potentially dangerous, especially if you experience balance problems as many people of course do. So always opt for a stairlift that begins to travel with such smoothness that you hardly even notice that your moving.
4. Glide - As well as a smooth start to your journey you obviously want a comfortable ride. Some stairlifts offer smoother rides than others. Make sure yours gives a gentle glide ride every inch of the way.
5. DC Motor - Stairlifts which run on mains electricity will come to a sudden stop if there is a power cut, worse still a direct connection to the mains supply can be hazardous and even result in electrocution should your lift become damaged. So always make sure that your lift runs on safe DC power. DC power makes use of special power packs which automatically recharge themselves at the end of each trip.
6. Remote Control - Now this isn't a fancy gimmick, the remote control allows you to simply call and send for the stairlift, so if a partner or friend should wish to use the lift you can simply send it back to them once you're finished. And thanks to the remote control there are no messy wires or boxes that need to be fixed to the wall. And finally you know how fiddly button controls can be, if you suffer from arthritis for example they can be impossible to use, so select a stairlift which has a joy stick control as well.
7. Joy Stick Control - A joy stick makes operating your stairlift simplicity itself, with no fuss and no fiddling about.

So there you are; the 7 essential features to look out for in any stairlift.