Stairlifts for Parents

One of the hardest parts about growing up is watching your parents age and with an increasing number of older people opting to stay in their houses for longer, they may have found that their home isn’t as accessible as it once was.

Mobility issues can be a worry, especially if there is nobody at home to supervise them, which is why the addition of a stairlift to your parents’ home can be extremely valuable. From making them feel more confident in completing everyday tasks to regaining a sense of independence, a stair lift is accompanied by a wealth of benefits that will make older people’s lives easier.

From steep, narrow staircases to something slightly curved, there is a stairlift solution for everyone. However, if you’re unsure as to whether installing and buying a stairlift could help your parents, you may have a few questions. This guide has been compiled to give you peace of mind before investing; from the price of stairlifts in the UK to how to arrange a visit, take a look below to find out more.

FAQs

• How do you transport an old person up the stairs?
• How can I help my older parents stay in their home?
• What are good ways of making stairs safer?

Every house is different, so diagnosing its accessibility issues can sometimes be a challenge. With this in mind, ensuring that your parents remain mobile around their home is imperative. There are many different ways in which you can transport an older person up the stairs, however, the safest way to do so is via a stairlift. Not only are they secured to the wall, but the addition of a seatbelt means that they safely ascend or descend the steps without fear of falling. Their swivel seat or perch seat can be adjusted to a position that is comfortable for them, and the armrests can be used to keep your parents feeling more stable on their journey.

Being able to move up and down stairs safely will give both you and your parents peace of mind, so the benefits a stairlift can provide are priceless. Stairlifts can be fitted to a range of different specifications, from curved stairlifts to something straighter, or even narrow stairlifts. Simply arrange a member of the team to visit your parents’ home, where Handicare PhotoSurvey 4D software is used to measure up their stairs. For more information about how a stairlift is fitted, this guide on how stairlifts work will provide you with more information. Or, call today to get a free no-obligation quote or request an advice pack. 

Technological advances have meant the process of having a stairlift installed in your parents’ home is quick and simple, especially with the help of expert Handicare engineers. Whereas older people previously may have chosen to downsize or move into assisted care, there is now a plethora of options which will help to keep your parents happy in their home.

How do I modify a two-story house for my ageing parents?

If your parents are considering remaining in a two-story house, it is important to highlight any areas where they feel that they experience difficulty with their mobility. Moving around the kitchen, using the bathroom and navigating the stairs are some of the biggest obstacles that your loved ones may face when left unsupervised, therefore finding fixes is crucial. Making your parents’ home more accessible may seem like a costly task at first, but there is a range of options for you to consider.

Choosing equipment to get up and down stairs can be difficult, especially if you’re unsure as to what the best option is for your parents. Although finding a bespoke stairlift solution ensures that it is the perfect fit, reconditioned stairlifts are also a fantastic choice. In fact, buying a used stairlift is a cheaper solution than downsizing. Buying from a reputable source guarantees that it is in working order and meets the same safety standards as a brand-new model would, assuring you that each journey on your parents’ straight stairlift is risk-free. Take a look at the range of grants and free funding to help with stairlift costs, providing a solution when looking to modify your parents’ two-story house.

Before you invest in a stairlift, it is essential that you have a conversation with your parents about their accessibility issues. Acknowledging that they might need a little bit of extra help around the home can be difficult for some individuals, especially if they’re used to being independent, so it is important that you approach the subject sensitively.

When it comes to the stairs, having a stairlift installed is just one of the best ways in which you can make them safer for your parents. Quick fixes can make a massive difference and are normally inexpensive.

Firstly, the area around your parents’ stairs needs to have good lighting. As your parent age, their eyesight may begin to deteriorate, so making sure that each step is illuminated lowers the possibility of falling. Not only does it make each step easier to see, but any obstacles can be spotted. Overhead lighting is the best way to make sure that there is adequate lighting in the area and making sure that there are light switches accessible at the top and bottom of stairs will also help. A great alternative to this is LED lighting strips which are attached to each step. These can provide greater illumination and help your parents to identify the depth of each tread, minimising the likelihood of tripping.

Although highlighting each step is important, alterations to them can be made in order to make it easier for your parents. If each step has an open back, it can be easy for older people to catch their toes. Adding a face to each step prevents feet from slipping back too far on the step and makes it easier to identify their depth. Similarly, another great way of minimising falls is by carpeting the stairs. Wooden floors and runners can be slippery, so fully carpeting each step is a good way of adding a bit of friction between the foot and the step. Lastly, most modern staircases come with one handrail, but two can greatly improve balance. These should be at a comfortable height, in line with elbows, to provide the best support.

A stairlift is the best way to make stairs safer and is invaluable in sustaining your parent’s independence. If you need some reassurance, don’t hesitate to take a look at the best stairlift reviews. Fortunately, each of these alterations to staircases works well with a stairlift installed. For more information, take a look at the guide on the safety features of stairlifts.