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Types of Stairlift
Stairlifts are powered lifts mounted on stairfixed tracks which follow the line of the stairs. The track can usually be sited on either side of the stairs. Both curved and straight tracks are available, although straight tracks are much cheaper than curved ones. Stairlifts are often cheaper to install than through floor lifts as building alterations are not normally required. Curved stairlifts cost approximately twice as much as straight stairlifts.

If your staircase has a sub-landing at the top, with a few steps to the left or right, most companies can fit a manual or motorised folding platform which bridges the gap between the top of the stairlift and the landing, although the number of stairs and the amount of available headroom will need to be taken into consideration.

This allows the user to get off the stairlift and walk straight onto the landing, avoiding the need to have a curved or two straight stairlifts installed. Some people may find the platforms unnerving as they are quite high up over the staircase. If a standing stairlift is preferred, is there sufficient headroom? If the track for the stairlift cannot continue beyond the bottom or top step of the staircase, usually because it will obstruct a door, some companies can provide a fold up, hinged rail to overcome this problem.

There are lots of things to consider and before installing a Stairlift good professional advice should always be sought. Free advice can nearly always be obtained from your local Community based Occupational Therapist

Seated Stairlifts

Seated Stairlifts are the most common type used in a domestic setting. The majority of users are able to walk, but find it difficult to negotiate the stairs. The person must be able to sit safely on the seat during transit and transfer on and off at the top and bottom of the stairs. A swivel seat and lift-up armrests will make transfers onto and off the seat easier. The swivel seat can be manually or electrically operated. Check that you are able to manipulate the controls for both the footrest and the swivel seat.

It is preferable that the user can transfer independently; however, in some situations it may be possible for the carer to carry out an assisted transfer in conjunction with a piece of small handling equipment. The ability of the carer to transfer the user at the top of the stairs should be very carefully considered and avoided if at all possible. It may also be very difficult to pass the person seated on the stairlift to give him/her assistance at both the top and bottom of the stairs.

Curved Stairlifts

Curved stairlifts are designed for use on a staircase which turns a corner or is spiral in design. The track is mounted on stanchions which are fixed to the stairs. Every stairlift track is built to order following a survey of the staircase so that the optimum track to accommodate the staircase whilst maximising the clear space on the stairs is achieved.  

It is usually a job for the specialists to undertake to ensure you get the best and most appropriate job for you completed. You should always get more than one quote for the work to compare one against the other and never be afraid to ask if they have installed one in your road that you can go and inspect.

Generally the track will have two charging points, top and bottom, however some tracks may require intermediate charge points too. When the stairlift is not being used it should be left on one of these points. These points are generally located at the position where the stairlift stops. If circumstances dictate an alternative parking point, if a hinge track is used for example, the park position is easily located by using the park button on the remote control. Parking on the charge point keeps the battery topped up so your stairlift will continue to work in the event of a power failure.

Straight Stairlifts

This stairlift can be used on a straight staircase where the stairlift is not required to travel around a corner. The stairlift runs on a slimline track which hugs the edge of the staircase. The track is fixed to the stairs and it leaves plenty of room on the staircase for other users.  

The track comes with two charging points, top and bottom, when not in use the stairlift should be left on one of these points. These points are generally located where the stairlift stops. If circumstances require an alternative parking position, if a hinge track is used for example, the park position is easily located by using the park button on the remote control. Parking on the charge point keeps the battery topped up so your stairlift will continue to work in the event of a power failure.

When it comes to using the straight stairlift it's very straight forward. The stairlift is protected by a key switch, once switched on the toggle control is simple held in the direction of travel. On arrival at the top of the stairs the seat is turned to face the landing so that you can get on and off your stairlift with ease. If preferred you can opt to add a powered swivel to make turning the seat even easier.

Standing & Perching Stairlifts and Stairlifts With a Wheelchair Platform

Standing Stairlifts can be used by people who are able both to walk and to stand while travelling up and down stairs. These may be chosen in preference to seated models if the staircase is exceptionally narrow or if the person has a stiff leg and is unable to bend his knee when seated. These stairlifts usually have one or two guard rails that the user can hold onto during transit.

Perching Stairlifts are very similar to standing stairlifts except that they provide a small amount of additional support underneath the buttocks. Therefore, the user is transported in a perching position, i.e. between sitting and standing. These stairlifts usually have one or two guard rails that the user can hold onto during transit.

Stairlifts with a wheelchair platform may enable the person to retain his independence and eliminate the need to transfer out of his wheelchair and onto a stairlift. Instead the user is able to wheel or be pushed straight onto the platform. Although most of the platforms fold up against the wall when they are not in use, this type of stairlift takes up a lot of room on the stairs and many domestic stairs may not be wide enough to accommodate it.