Get help, advice and information on all your Home and Family issues. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/lifts.htm Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:08:06 GMT en Vertical platform lifts are primarily used by individuals who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters. They are used to transport a mobility device and its rider up and down the stairs. They are often found in residential settings, but many businesses also use them. This includes places like churches and schools. A vertical platform lift is designed to support the weight of a mobility device, such as a mobility scooter, and its rider. Most do not support less than 500 pounds and many can support as much as 750 pounds. In many cases a 2 people will ride the vertical platform lift at one time. This is common among husbands and wives, as well as caregivers. Some models are able to travel distances up to 12 feet. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/87044_Vertical_Platform_Lifts_In_Homes.html Sat, 24 May 2008 23:14:09 GMT Many people who are elderly, suffer from arthritis, or muscular related diseases use mobility devices like mobility scooters and wheelchairs. These types of mobility aids can greatly increase mobility and the areas that are accessible. These types of devices can be used to travel many different types of terrains, but they are almost never outfitted to travel over the stairs. In these instances a vertical platform lift can be installed to help with this problem. Vertical platform lifts are often called porch lifts because they are commonly installed on the front steps of houses. They, using a small platform, support the person and their personal mobility device and move them up and down the stairs. Most can support over 500 pounds, which is generally enough to transport 2 individuals and one mobility scooter at a time. There are several units available commercially and residentially that can support up to 750 pounds. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/87001_Learning_About_Porch_Lifts.html Fri, 23 May 2008 23:04:50 GMT Stair lifts are devices that are made to carry people who suffer from arthritis, are older, or are otherwise mobility challenged use the stairs. Using either a set of batteries, or by plugging directly into the wall, these units are responsible for restoring independence and opening houses back up. They are often called stair chairs because generally a chair is attached to the stairs via an aluminum track. There are some models called perch lifts however, that utilize a small platform instead. A perch lift is usually used for someone who has trouble sitting down because of knee or back problems. One popular manufacturer of stair lifts is Acorn, who makes several models including a perch lift. Acorn is a family owned company that operates worldwide. Their US headquarter is in Orlando, Florida, and they employ over 800 employees worldwide. Acorn opened their doors in 1992 and began buying and selling new and reconditioned stair lifts. They quickly realized, due to high demand, that they would not be able to continue purchasing stair lifts and reselling them, and maintain their commitment to their customers, so they began manufacturing their own. Over the years Acorn pioneered the battery stair lift, and has continuously brought innovation and remarkable engineering to the field. They currently manufacture more than 30,000 units a year. Acorn has a very strong presence in the United States, the United Kingdom, South America, Europe, and Australia. Their quality and professional workmanship has made them into the powerhouse they are today, and they are the largest independent straight stair lift manufacturer in the world. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/86103_Acorn_Stair_Lifts.html Tue, 06 May 2008 10:23:19 GMT With the advent of the internet there are many different places to buy used products. Where before if you wanted to get an ad to sell a product you had to pay the newspaper or a weekly flyer to publish your ad, now it can many times be done for free. There are numerous sites where all it takes to post an ad is an email address. This is in many ways bad for the buyer, because many people who, knowing their product was in poor condition, would have never paid a newspaper or flyer to advertise it. One thing that you do not want to buy from just anyone is a used stair lift. A stair lift is a device that is used to help people who are mobility challenged use their staircase again. Using a track system, which is usually attached to the actual stairs themselves, a chair or platform, is used to carry a person up and down the stairs. This is for many like having a new home, because otherwise they would have only been able to use the ground floor of their home. It also can cut back on costs, because you do not have to pay someone to help you up and down the stairs. In addition many stair lifts come with attachable baskets so you can transport your laundry, groceries, or other belongings easily up and down the stairs. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/83296_Used_Stair_Lifts_Buying_Guide.html Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:43:37 GMT Vertical platform lifts allow people to connect areas of different elevation throughout their home. In the residential environment these valuable devices are most often found at the entrance to the home. The front steps, especially in older homes, are often steep, narrow, and hard to navigate. A vertical platform lift or wheelchair lift, as it is often called, can bridge this gap and return the freedom you used to have when you were younger. Vertical platform lifts offer what is commonly referred to as either adjacent-access or straight-through access. The differences are explained below. The type of access refers to the way a user will enter and exit the vertical platform lift. This is an important consideration that should be made before you purchase the lift because often it must be configured by the manufacturer. Adjacent-access is when you enter the vertical platform lift, turn (usually) 90 degrees to the left or right and exit the lift. This is similar to how you exit a car. Pretend that enter a cargo van by walking through the back door. When it comes time to exit the van you turn to your right and open the side door. This setup can save space. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/82411_Vertical_Platform_Lifts_Access_Explained.html Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:57:04 GMT Vertical Platform Lifts are like small scale elevators that connect areas of different elevation so that they are accessible to people in wheelchairs or those who are mobility challenged. One of the most common places to find these life saving devices is at church. Many churches are in buildings that have been around for many years. Often times these buildings were not designed to be handicapped accessible. Usually new additions and entrances and exits have been updated and made to be easily accessible by those in wheel chairs, but this is not always the case. Often there are many parts of churches that can not be accessed if you are not able to walk or negotiate the stairs. People of all shapes, sizes, and age visit churches and this is why so many churches invest in wheelchair lifts. This guarantees that all members of the parish will be able to fully enjoy, participate in, and feel connected with the church. One model of wheelchair lift that is particularly popular with churches is Ameriglides Portable Atlas lift. This lift is capable of holding over 500 pounds and can be moved. Since this lift is portable, it is easy to move it when it is not in use or to move it to a different set of steps. This makes it perfect to allow churchgoers access to the pulpit. These units are also keyed so that you can guarantee that it will not be misused. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/82409_Vertical_Platform_Lifts_In_Church.html Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:56:12 GMT If you or someone you love is in a wheelchair or has trouble walking, than it can be very hard to negotiate staircases of any kind. Often, your whole house is handicapped accessible with the exception of the most important part: the front steps. Wheelchair lifts are responsible for guaranteeing that millions of Americans maintain their freedom and independence and retain the ability to enter and exit their home. Wheelchair lifts are very similar to elevators and are often referred to as vertical platform lifts. The term vertical platform lift is actually a very fitting and descriptive name. Wheelchair lifts are in essence a platform that is raised vertically to allow people who cannot climb stairs, or those in wheelchairs, to easily go up and down the stairs. The lift travels the distance from the ground to the top of the stairs vertically at a slow and steady pace. Wheelchair lifts are capable of lifting over 500 pounds distances of 12 feet or more. 12 feet is actually pretty high for a normal home residence and usually lifts of this distance are found commercially in places such as schools and churches. Many commercial operations will purchase portable units that can be moved without disassembly. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/82406_Wheelchair_Lifts_Opening_New_Doors.html Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:57:18 GMT If you or someone you love is mobility impaired, then taking a bath is likely not a very easy task. Unless you have a roll in shower, which can be very expensive, it can often be very hard to get into the bath tub without any help. If you are taking care of a family member, than bath time can be very hard on your back. If you are ready to regain your independence and privacy than a bath lift is right for you. Bath lifts are incredibly easy to install, often they can be set up in just a few minutes. Utilizing a swivel chair, bath lifts are able to raise and lower an individual so that they can take and enjoy a nice bath. These devices can be operated by a single individual so it is now possible to reclaim your bathtub. The swivel chair makes it very easy to enter and exit the lift. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/82405_Bath_Lifts_And_You.html Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:16:29 GMT Many people today who use wheelchairs or just have trouble walking have discovered the wonders of Ameriglide Vertical Platform Lifts. Ameriglide manufactures only the highest quality home medical equipment that has been thoroughly tested by experienced engineers. Vertical Platform Lifts or wheelchair lifts, as they are often referred to, have helped many Americans retain their independence and liberty. In older times if you were in a wheelchair it meant that you had to design your entire home around that fact. Elevators were reserved to those who were immensely wealthy or to commercial structures. This made it very hard for those with disabilities. It meant that you would very likely have to sell your home if you did not have some means of entering and exiting your home at ground level. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/82403_Ameriglide_Vertical_Platform_Lifts.html Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:08:32 GMT Many times, especially in older homes, the stairs leading up to the front door can be pretty steep and narrow. This can make it very hard for those suffering from arthritis and other muscular disabilities to enter their own home and near impossible for those with wheel chairs. Vertical Platform Lifts solve this problem by raising the individual to the top of the stairs. Vertical Platform Lifts are installed parallel to the stairs and depending on the model often very little actual assembly is required. It is imperative, however, that a smooth, level, and unyielding base is used. The base should be able to support the maximum load capacity of the lift and the lift itself. So if the lift itself weighs 250 lbs and has a capacity of 500lbs then the base must be able to support at least 750 lbs. Always air on the side of caution, but usually a solid deck or concrete deck would be a suitable base. It is also important that the travel wall, the wall below the upper entry point of the elevator, is free of protrusions, fairly smooth, and gaps. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/81609_Installation_Of_Vertical_Platform_Lifts.html Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:00:16 GMT A Vertical Platform Lift is designed to allow those in wheelchairs or others who are mobility challenged to traverse the exterior stairs in their home. Vertical platform lifts are very similar to elevators in that they lift a square or rectangle platform straight up and down. Depending on the model there are many accessories and options that may either be necessary to fit your particular needs, or may just make your life a little easier. Many of the options are specific to the actual lifting requirements of the user. For instance the required lifting height can, depending on the model, be customized to support distances over 12 feet. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/81608_Vertical_Platform_Lifts_Accessories_And_Add-ons.html Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:51:44 GMT One of the hardest things for us to do as we get older is to climb the stairs. Often, particularly when the stairs are very narrow, curved, or very steep, climbing the stairs can be an incredibly scary task. A missed step at the top of the stairs can lead to disaster, if you live by yourself this is especially true. Since the stairs present such an ominous and large obstacle, often when you get older you simply stop using the upper half of your house. In the recent years the home medical equipment industry has grown and undergone a complete change. Devices that used to only be found in hospitals or were otherwise very expensive are now very affordable and easy to use and install. A stair lift is such a device that can open up a whole new world to you. A stair lift raises or lowers the user along a track that is affixed to the side of the stairs. Depending on the model, these devices can support over 500 lbs of weight and provide a smooth and jerk free way of traversing the stairs. Generally installation can be done in as little as 2 hours using common household tools. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/81480_Stair_Lifts_Opening_Up_Your_Home.html Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:57:03 GMT Stair lifts have been around for close to 90 years. First developed in the 1920s they have evolved into a very reliable and valuable product. For many thousands of Americans stair lifts provide an essential link between the different levels of their houses. It used to be that when you started to get older the first thing you did was sell your home and move into a single story home. This is no longer necessary because stair lifts can be safely installed in hours at a very affordable rate. In almost all instances it is very easy to install stair lifts in your home. The exception to this is when your stairs are incredibly narrow or curved. It can be very hard to watch someone you love struggle to get up or down the stairs. Even worse is the worry you can feel when you think about them doing it by their self when there is no one there to give them a helping hand. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/81478_Stair_Lifts_Your_Key_To_Freedom.html Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:26:21 GMT If you have trouble climbing the stairs and want to reclaim the upstairs of your house, you should invest in a stair lift. Most stair lifts are very well priced, but you can save some money by buying a used one. There are several considerations, however, when buying a used stair lift. The first step should be to analyze you needs and requirements. If your stairs are curved or very narrow than you will need a special type of stair lift. If you live in an area that has frequent power outages than you will probably need to purchase a battery operated lift. Once you have a solid idea of what you need and want in your stair lift it is time to start shopping around. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/80974_Stair_Lifts_Reclaiming_Your_Upstairs.html Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:19:15 GMT One of the hardest about getting older is the loss of freedom. It used to be easy to jump up in the air grab the attic door handle and climb up the attic steps with several boxes in your hand. Now, however, there are many areas of your house that are almost seem to be off limits for no other reason than your body is just not able to climb the stairs anymore. A stair lift can help you open up your entire house. When you buy a stair lift you no longer should feel trapped in your own home because you can not traverse the steps. No longer will you have to rely on your loved ones to help you up the stairs. A stair lift can help you regain your freedom and mobility. There is no longer a need to buy a new home simply because you can no longer navigate the stairs. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/80973_Stair_Lifts.html Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:57:18 GMT Preserving mobility does not only focus on the mobility device, but the lift or carrier that makes transportation of such mobility device possible is also one very important aspect. A wheelchairmobility scooter lift helps the physically disabled and the elderly to enjoy more independence. The lift is very convenient for these individuals who uses such mobility devices and regularly require transportation of the device from one place (e.g. home) to another (e.g. mallpark). Purchasing a lift is considered a long-term investment. Hence, it is important to realize the benefits of an appropriately selected lift. There are several options when selecting a scooter or wheelchair lift. Quality, durable lifts can be bought with three thousand dollars or less, depending primarily on the added accessories or features. Basic lifts that require manual operation is typically less expensive than motor driven lifts that may need professional installation. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/80161_How_To_Choose_The_Right_Wheelchairmobility_Scooter_Lifts.html Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:58:45 GMT The mobility scooter and the wheelchair are two of the useful medical inventions that are of enormous help to both the handicapped and the elderly. A tandem innovation for these medical equipment is the lift, which can easily bring up electric powered mobility devices (mobility scooter and wheelchairs) on a vehicles floor. A mobility scooter or wheelchair lift can be dismantled and can be easily stored, making it good paraphernalia for enabling a weak or disabled individual a ride into an automobile and at the same time allowing the scooter or wheelchair to be transported inside a vehicle. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/80158_Mobility_Scooter_And_Wheelchair_Lifts_For_Your_Vehicles.html Sun, 02 Mar 2008 09:05:20 GMT It is a sad reality that people do not appreciate what they have, and only realize its worth when they lost it. The same goes with our mobility and independence. We, able bodied individuals, perform our daily activities without having to struggle or exert too much effort. Lucky for us, I guess. But for those with limited mobility and freedom, like the elderly and the physically challenged, each activity, even the simplest one, can mean a very big challenge or struggle for them to face. For those who are confined in the seats of their wheelchairs, climbing the stairs is definitely out of the picture. So, how do they transfer up and down to different floor levels? http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/78669_Vertical_Wheelchair_Lifts.html Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:02:22 GMT Traveling from point to another is as easy as a footstep. The elderly, disabled, and even people doing normal chores can take advantage of the benefits of various accessibility options out in the market. It guarantees convenience, safety, and improved traveling experience either indoor or outdoor. Each has its own good points and drawbacks. Some can cater to your most basic accessibility needs while others can offer more than the usual. Stair LiftsWhen going up and down the stairs start to be a difficult and uncomfortable task, stair lifts are the best option. Electric or battery-powered stair lifts are generally cheaper to install compared to other accessibility options. It requires minimal or no additional space at all. The user can even control the speed of the lift with a press of a button. No more ankle, knee or hip ache to worry when traveling the stairs. Various models offer elegant designs, colors, fabrics that can fit straight, spiral or curved stairs. Also, when not in use stair lifts can be folded up easily and efficiently, thus people can still freely travel the stairs. Stair lifts are best recommended for the elderly and disabled who find it hard or almost impossible to take steps on stairs. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/77010_Accessibility_Options_Stair_Lifts_Platform_Lifts_And_Elevators.html Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:44:08 GMT Stair lifts are machines that provide solutions to mobility problems of people who are getting old or are limited by physical disability. To them, stair lifts likewise provide them with the freedom to live a normal life. Moving up and down the stairs can be extremely difficult for people whose freedom to move is bounded by their physical conditions. Purchasing stair lifts can be a viable alternative to remedy their condition. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/69803_Quick_Guide_To_Buying_Stair_Lifts.html Mon, 03 Dec 2007 04:30:02 GMT Climbing stairs may have been fun when you were a child, but if you are facing painful climbing, due to arthritis, age, or any other illness or situation, then climbing stairs is no longer fun, but a painful task that you would rather not complete. Stair lifts were developed to take the pain out of climbing stairs, not to mention to remove the fear of falling down stairs. There are many things that may contribute to the inability to climb stairs. Arthritis, back pain, broken bones, multiple sclerosis, and any number of other diseases or illnesses have prevented many people from being able to safely climb stairs, without the help of someone, or without being carried. A stair lift can help you to get back your independence by allowing you to climb stairs completely free from help. And can help family members by allowing them more freedom. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/68416_What_Are_Stair_Lifts.html Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:46:06 GMT Stair lifts are equipment that can be installed on all types of staircases, either straight, spiral, or curved, for disabled people to move up and down the stairs. They can be set up and removed very easily. There are several types of stair lifts. Some of them have folding tracks, folding arms, and various other controls. The seated stair lifts are specifically designed for people who are able to walk but have problem with climbing stairs. This type of list is useful if you use crutches. The idea behind this lift is to make sure you are independent from needing help. The seated stair lift has a chair that swivels and has liftable armrests, so that the transfer from and in to the seat is made easy. Seat belts provide the required safely to a seated stair lift. The standing stair lifts are for people who can walk and stand, but may be using a walking stick, making it difficult for them to go up and down the stairs without help. In cases where the legs are stiff due to a medical problem or unable to bend due to an injury, then standing stair lifts are extremely helpful. These type of lifts are also useful when the staircases are narrow, as they occupy less space. The safety factor is taken care of by the guardrails. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/68295_Types_Of_Stair_Lifts.html Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:36:35 GMT Moving up and down the stairs is a difficult task for people who have problems with mobility. A stair lift makes life easier for them and provides independence of movement. A chair lift is a chair that is attached to a track bolted down to a staircase. This lift can be used to carry a person up and down the stairs with just the push of a button. Well! It can also be used for other purposes, like carrying groceries, luggage, laundry and anything else. Chair lifts also have swivel seats that turn away from the staircase and come with remote controls that signal the lift to come to a particular floor. So as not to occupy too much space, they also have a folding track at the lower landing area. They can be fixed on any side of the staircase. This installation needs to be done by a professional. There are several types of stair lifts available, of various shapes and sizes. Chair lifts are better now than what we used to get earlier. They are less noisy and entail no risk of malfunctioning. A small joystick is used to operate them. They come with a remote control to enable operation from either the top or bottom of the stairs. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/68248_Stair_Lifts_And_Their_Importance.html Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:56:37 GMT A wheelchair lift is a mechanical devise that is used to lift wheelchairs. There are so many different types of wheelchair lifts in the market today. These allow easy mobility at home and outside of the home. Wheelchair lifts are mainly of two types, for use at home and for use when traveling, to be used for cars and vans. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/67725_Wheelchair_Lifts_For_The_Home.html Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:48:51 GMT Wheelchair lifts are devices designed to provide those in wheelchairs, or people with problems with mobility, with a way of moving from one level in their homes to another. They are not traditional enclosed elevators. They are open and also lift wheelchairs into vans or cars for easy transport. Wheelchair lifts may be used for various reasons. One reason could be that you may have just begun using a wheelchair and your home has a flight of stairs. Investing in a chair lift makes it easier for you to be independent. The fear of losing their independence is what bothers most people. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/67669_Wheelchair_Lifts_And_Their_Uses.html Sun, 11 Nov 2007 10:15:41 GMT If you are someone that uses a wheelchair or someone that knows another who uses one, you will have often realized that the difficulties of climbing stairs or other such rises become extremely difficult. This is no longer the case though; as scientists and mechanists have worked together to eventually create the wheelchair lift. The wheelchair lift is an ingenious idea which makes it easier not just for those for wheelchairs, but also for those helping to transport them. In the past, things were difficult and wheelchair users may have found it near impossible due to their disability; now they can enjoy things just as much as a fully fit person. Wheelchair lifts make it easier for a lot of reasons; in the past, a disabled person would have to get up and be helped up the stairs; now he or she can sit comfortably in his wheelchair while the lift does the job. There are two types of lifts, and both of them solve different needs. Hydraulic lifts are generally meant to be smooth, with less problems in power outages however this comes at a cost; they are more expensive than the usual electric wheelchair lifts. As for electric wheelchair lifts they are often a lot cheaper than ones that run on hydraulics, however they can face problems if electricity is removed for any reason unless a spare battery is enabled. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/67485_About_Wheelchair_Lifts.html Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:57:36 GMT If you have limited mobility, or if you are caring for someone with limited mobility, then perhaps a wheelchair lift would be a benefit. Wheelchair lifts are ideal for people who need to reach higher areas, for instance in a two-story home. Wheelchair lifts come in different types for different uses. The two most commonly used types are the stair wheelchair lift and the van or automobile wheelchair lift. The stair wheelchair lift is used in the home to transport the user to a higher floor. They aid in the climbing of stairs by transporting the user and the wheelchair up and down the stairs. Stair lifts are also used in this aspect, however, stair lifts do not allow for the wheelchair to be moved. Wheelchair lifts are more suited for people constrained to a wheelchair because they allow the user to move up and down the stairs without help, and do not require that the user be removed from the wheelchair. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/65191_Wheelchair_Lifts.html Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:24:21 GMT