Chair Lifts

Power Lift Chairs

Power lift chairs are ideal for those suffering from arthritis and joint conditions. These are individuals who find it difficult to walk up and down stairs and can be the difference between sustaining an injury and not sustaining an injury.

But really, chair lifts will accommodate anyone with mobility problems. Anyone who has issues walking up and down stairs can benefit. Then there are those individuals who feel not as secure climbing up and down stairs. They feel themselves becoming weaker and feel that a fall is imminent.

Fortunately, power lift chairs give individuals the freedom that they need to be more mobile within their homes. Even businesses are giving their employees and customers the ability to be more mobile within their facilities with both indoor and outdoor chair lifts.

When looking at lift chairs so that you can find the best one, there are some factors to examine so that you know you are getting the power lift that you need in order to get around safely and effectively.

Design

The most common stairway version of power chairs you are going to find is the type that glides along a rail. They are so streamlined nowadays that they do not take up much space at all. The chair back is flush with the wall so that the rail does not have to protrude outward too much. This means that even narrow stair cases can be outfitted with power lift chairs. Even stairways that are curved can be outfitted with a unit that is not bulky so that those needing to walk up and down the stairs, even when the power lift is in use, can do so.

When it comes to the curved models, they have to be custom fitted to a curved staircase. The chairs come in different variations, but they are safe in that you can invest in one that allows you to strap in and use a foot rest to keep your feet from dragging.

There are also many designs and that the design is going to influence what you pay. Plus, another influence is the power source. You can choose a model that operates off of electricity only, but you may find that there is an issue as a result of this decision. That issue may be the fact that a power outage may occur while riding, you could become stranded or find yourself having to walk the stairs the remainder of the way. If you add battery backup, then you don't have to worry about being stranded, climbing the stairs, or being stuck on a floor that you don't want to be on.

Safety Concerns

Power lift chairs influence a number of safety concerns. First, the seatbelts on power lift chairs are easy to use. That is something you do not have to worry about. The controls can be what you want them to be. In most cases, however, the controls are up, down, and an emergency stop. In some cases, you may have controls that allow you to control your speed.

As far as safety features that come standard on power lift chairs, the design is sturdy. A concern of some is the rail or the chair collapsing under bodyweight. The chairs and the rails are actually made in a way that they can hold a certain weight limit. You will need to learn of the weight limit to ensure you are within that limit. If you are, but barely, you may want to choose a model that gives you more room in case you gain weight. Even though you don't want to gain weight, it is good to be in a position where you can be safe if you do and also protect your investment. The wear and tear of lift chairs increase when an individual is close to the weight limit.

Power lift chairs are also outfitted with a feature that protects it from obstructions. For instance, if a child were to place their hand along the rail while the chair is moving along it, the chair will stop moving. This is to protect the child's hand and the power lift.

Affordability

Lift chairs are affordable, despite what some may believe. It is not unusual for an entire unit costing around $3,000 on the low end (sometimes even less) and up to $15,000 on the high end (common amongst custom models).

If you are a veteran, there may be programs that help fund power lift chairs. There are even state programs that may help with the funding.

You may also find that you qualify for a tax deduction because power lift chairs are medical devices. When chair lifts are medically necessary, it is important to not to forget to take the deduction. This is the same as you receiving some money back on your purchase, making them less of a financial burden in the end.