Does walking up or down the stairs feel like a hike? If stairs are becoming too difficult to navigate or you’d like to make your life easier while staying in your home, a stair lift could be a great solution.
Today, we’ll explore everything you should know about chair lifts for stairs, including types, safety features, cost, and more.
What Are Chair Lifts for Stairs?
Chair lifts for stairs, also known as stair lifts and stair chair lifts, are a tool that helps those with mobility issues travel up and down the stairs safely. Stair lifts are motorized chairs that sit on a rail and glide up and down a staircase after pushing a button.
They’re designed to be easy to use and include safety features to prevent injuries when going up and down the stairs.
Types of Stair Lifts
Indoor Stairlifts: Straight vs. Curved
Straight Stairlifts
The most popular stair lift model is a straight stair lift for a standard indoor staircase. Straight stairlifts have a standardized rail suitable for most American-built homes and are easy to cut to fit a traditional staircase.
There are various brands and models to choose from, and Bruno stands out. They offer the best quality and value and have a stellar stairlift warranty.
The average weight limit for straight stair lifts is 300 to 600 lbs. They also have optional upgrades to improve comfortability or safety. Straight stair lifts are also the easiest and fastest to install, making them a top choice for most.
Curved Stairlifts
Staircases with turns, curves, or intermediate landings typically require a curved stair lift. Most curved stairlift units are custom-made to the measurements of a curved staircase. They offer the same features as a straight stair lift but must be able to make large turns.
Those with an intermediate landing may be able to use two straight stair lifts instead of a curved one. This may save money and speed up the installation process.
Outdoor Stair Lifts: Straight & Curved
Have a love for the great outdoors but unable to safely navigate stairs? Different stair lift options can help you safely navigate your front porch or backyard. Straight and curved stair lifts can be installed on different types of outdoor stairs.
Outdoor stair lifts are manufactured to withstand the elements, protect against rain, snow, and wind, and come with a protective cover.
Are Stair Lifts Safe to Use?
Yes, chair lifts for stairs are safe if installed by a professional from a licensed company. They’re a mobility device that offers a safer way to get up and down the stairs. Although stair lifts may not be right for everyone, they’re an excellent option for anyone with limited mobility who can stand or sit without assistance.
At Independent Home Solutions, our stair lift experts can help you determine if a stair lift is right for you or a loved one. Stair lifts come with built-in safety features like seatbelts and obstruction safety sensors.
Stair Lift Features & Components
Two popular Bruno stair lift models are Bruno Elan and Bruno Elite.
Components
Stair lifts have three components: a rail, a chair, and a power source.
- Rail: This is the main hardware installed on the staircase. It looks like a long rail, which is how the chair glides up and down. The shape and design can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but Bruno’s rails are slim, allowing homeowners to keep most of the space on their stairs. Rails are mounted onto the tread of the stairs and require no wall support.
- Chair: The chair is the seat a person uses to safely move up and down the stairs. Chairs also come in different sizes and shapes from different manufacturers. Most chairs have folding components, a seat, armrests, and footrests and house the motor and batteries.
- Power source: The power source may vary between brands, but Bruno stair lifts use 12v batteries with a “smart” battery charger that can be charged using any standard power outlet. Chair lifts should recharge themselves when the seat is docked at the top or bottom of the rail. Bruno stairlifts will also continue working during power outages for several trips.
Features
- Swivel seat: Stairlifts have a swivel seat, so once a person travels to the top of the stairs, they can turn for a safe exit or entry. The chair rotates up to 90°, and swiveling is possible by manually pushing down on a level near the seat, which locks into place after fully swiveling.
- Seat, footrest, & arms: Stairs lifts have a seat, footrest, and two armrests for a comfortable transition up or down the stairs. Most models can be manually folded up when parked at the top or bottom of the stairs so homeowners can maximize space.
- Remote controls: Stairlifts have one or two remote controls that can “call and send” the mobility device up or down the rail. Remote controls are ideal in households where more than one person uses the stair lift.
- Safety features: Stair lifts come with safety features like a seat belt, which ensures a safe ride. Other features like obstruction sensors stop the stair lift if there is an obstacle.
Stair Lift Options
Stair lifts come with extra safety options that increase comfort and usability. Please remember that some options may not be available for all stair lifts Independent Home Solutions offers.
Power Swivel Seat
Many people using stair lifts struggle with manual swivel seats. A power swivel seat may be safer for those with mobility issues. A power swivel seat uses a switch on the chair’s arm to turn the seat safely so you can get in and out of the chair.
Power Folding Footrest
There are two types of power folding footrests: arm-activated and standard.
Arm-activated: An arm-activated power folding footrest is often the easiest to use. It’s a button on the armrest that you push and simply folds up. Some users prefer this so they can more easily control when the footrest moves up and down.
Standard: A standard power folding footrest is often recommended for anyone who struggles to bend over to fold the footrest up or down. Here’s how it works: After using the stair lift, stand up off the chair, and when you lift the seat of the chair up, the footrest will automatically fold up. When you’re ready to use the lift again, pushing the seat down will automatically put the footrest down, too.
Folding Rail
You have the option to add a manual or power folding rail. A folding rail folds out of the way and up against the wall, so it takes up less space on your staircase. Some stair lifts may be bulky and take up too much space, which can become a tripping hazard.
Folding rails are usually added to straight stair lifts but may be available for specific brands and models. Choosing between a manual folding rail and a power-folding rail is often tricky. Our stairlift experts can help determine if a folding rail works well for your home.
Larger Footrest
Do you think a standard footrest will be too small? You can easily upgrade it to a larger, more comfortable size.
Upholstery Selection
If you don’t like the upholstery on a stair lift, we can connect you with upgraded color options that better match your home decor. Changing the upholstery design is only possible for certain stair lift models, so please inquire before installation.
Stair Lift Benefits
Stair lifts offer many benefits. They help those with mobility issues while providing benefits to their loved ones or caregivers concerned for their health or safety. The main benefits include:
- Safety: Safety is many people’s number one priority, and safety is at the forefront of what stair lifts can offer. Those struggling with mobility issues are often susceptible to falls, slips, or tripping on the stairs. An easy way to avoid these mishaps is by installing a stair lift. Once a stair lift is installed, you can ease yourself into the chair, buckle up, and glide up and down the stairs at the press of a button.
- Peace of Mind: Offer peace of mind to yourself and loved ones, knowing that a stair lift reduces the risk of injury on the stairs. They can also eliminate anxiety around climbing up and down stairs on your own.
- Independence: Regaining independence is one of the most significant driving factors for installing stair lifts in the home. Your independence may feel limited if you don’t feel confident or comfortable walking up and down the staircase or requiring someone’s help to use the stairs safely. Stairlifts can help you access every room in your home safely with no fuss.
- Affordable Solution & You Can Stay in Your Home: When looking at stair lift costs, you can compare them to the monthly expenses of independent senior living communities or assisted living facilities. Stair lifts are more cost-effective and affordable by a long shot. According to recent data from assistedliving.org, living in a senior independent living community would cost between $1,500 and $4,000, and living in an assisted living facility costs between $3,500 and $10,500. Stair lifts pay for themselves in a few months compared to those costs and allow you to stay in your home.
Stair Lift Pricing
How Much Do Chair Lifts for Stairs Cost?
Stairlift pricing varies, and we recommend getting quotes from a business in your community. It’s difficult to quote an exact price without first assessing, as there are different types, configurations, and upgrades.
The best thing to do is get an accurate quote from a licensed provider, so please contact us for your free home consultation. You can also use our free estimate tool for a better idea of the price.
Straight stair lifts (new or used) cost between $3,400 and $10,000. Curved stair lifts cost between $10,000 and $27,000, and outdoor stairlifts (curved or straight) cost $5,000 to $30,000.
How to Find a Reliable Stair Lift Company
To find a great stairlift company, do your research. Research different stairlift products, read reviews, and ensure you find a licensed and insured company. Ensure that a professional provides installation.
Look to review platforms such as Google and Trust Pilot to ensure good service and quality from a company.
At Independent Home Solutions, we offer stair lift installation from professional teams, and our number one priority is a safe installation. Currently, we serve residents in Fairway, Kansas City, Leawood, Lenexa, Mission, Mission Hills, Overland Park, Olathe, Prairie Village, Shawnee, Roeland Park, and Westwood in Kansas and Blue Springs, Belton, Gladstone, Grain Valley, Grandview, Independence, Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Liberty, North Kansas City, Pleasant Hill, Raymore, Raytown, and Waldo in Missouri.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does health insurance or Medicare cover stairlifts?
Medicare and health insurance plans typically don’t cover stair lifts. However, some specific plans may have extra coverage, so calling your insurance provider is recommended. Some Medicaid plans may cover the cost of a stair lift.
What are alternatives to stair lifts?
Alternatives to stair lifts can include stair climbers, wheelchair lifts, wheelchair ramps, or residential elevators. Each product has a unique design and can assist those with mobility issues in going up and down different levels of a home.
Is it safe to use a stair lift?
Yes, if a licensed professional installed your stairlift, it is safe to use. Stairlifts offer a secure way to go up and down the stairs for those with limited mobility. While they may not be the best solution for everyone, they are an excellent tool for those who can sit and stand without assistance. An Independent Home Solutions expert can help verify if a stair lift is right for you or a loved one.
