If you are considering your options for a way to get up and down stairs using a wheel chair, a specialized wheelchair stair lift should certainly be considered alongside a chair lift for stairs.
If you or a loved one has a lot of difficulty leaving moving in and out of a wheel chair, a chair lift may not actually be the best solution for your family.
Unlike standard lifts that use chairs that are already built in, a wheelchair stair lifts allow the user to remain in the wheel chair when using the lift, thus making the process of using the lift much easier since there is no need to move from the wheelchair into the stair lift itself.
A wheelchair stair lift runs in a manner very similar to a stair lift with a built in chair.
Like most chair stair lifts, it can be installed on both curved and straight stairways, but the curved models will cost more.
You will have a choice of similar drives as to those used by chair lifts (pinion drives and cable drives are the most popular drive choices).
You will need to make extra sure, however, that the lift you are purchasing is suitable for the weight load it will be carrying.
A wheelchair stair lift is often a much cheaper option than a cage elevator, since they will be built onto an already existing staircase and you will not have the construction expenses associated with building the elevator, ramp and other retrofitting that is often necessary with a elevator lift.
A wheelchair lift is also often a much quieter option than an elevator, especially if you select a rack and pinion drive for the lift.
However, they will also be more expensive than many chair lift for stairs models, which should also be taken into consideration.
As with chair lifts for stairs, you need to think about the power options.
If you live in an area that has frequent power outages, you may want to consider purchasing a model that uses battery power or has battery power backup so that you will not be stranded in an emergency.
The battery models use rechargeable batteries and are generally quite easy to recharge.
You also will not need to worry about electrical wiring if you choose the battery option.
Careful consideration of all these options in relation to the needs of the person who will be using the lift will help you decide whether a wheel chair lift or a chair lift for stairs is the best choice.
If you or a loved one has a lot of difficulty leaving moving in and out of a wheel chair, a chair lift may not actually be the best solution for your family.
Unlike standard lifts that use chairs that are already built in, a wheelchair stair lifts allow the user to remain in the wheel chair when using the lift, thus making the process of using the lift much easier since there is no need to move from the wheelchair into the stair lift itself.
A wheelchair stair lift runs in a manner very similar to a stair lift with a built in chair.
Like most chair stair lifts, it can be installed on both curved and straight stairways, but the curved models will cost more.
You will have a choice of similar drives as to those used by chair lifts (pinion drives and cable drives are the most popular drive choices).
You will need to make extra sure, however, that the lift you are purchasing is suitable for the weight load it will be carrying.
A wheelchair stair lift is often a much cheaper option than a cage elevator, since they will be built onto an already existing staircase and you will not have the construction expenses associated with building the elevator, ramp and other retrofitting that is often necessary with a elevator lift.
A wheelchair lift is also often a much quieter option than an elevator, especially if you select a rack and pinion drive for the lift.
However, they will also be more expensive than many chair lift for stairs models, which should also be taken into consideration.
As with chair lifts for stairs, you need to think about the power options.
If you live in an area that has frequent power outages, you may want to consider purchasing a model that uses battery power or has battery power backup so that you will not be stranded in an emergency.
The battery models use rechargeable batteries and are generally quite easy to recharge.
You also will not need to worry about electrical wiring if you choose the battery option.
Careful consideration of all these options in relation to the needs of the person who will be using the lift will help you decide whether a wheel chair lift or a chair lift for stairs is the best choice.
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