Get help, advice and information on all your Home and Family issues. http://advice-and.info/Home-and-Family/stair+lifts.htm Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:08:06 GMT en 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 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 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