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15 June 2015

A Caregiver's Guide To Choosing Chair Lifts For Stairs Or Other Home Mobility Devices

By April Briggs


If you are caring for someone who has physical disabilities or you are dealing with one yourself, you know how important mobility aids can be for independence. If you are beginning to outfit a home or apartment with these devices, you may not know which ones to choose or which are the right ones for you. Here are some tips on picking out chair lifts for stairs and other aids that will give you the assistance you require.

You may not be sure which devices are right for your needs or the needs of the person you are caring for. You may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information that you need to wade through before picking which model is right for you. If you have a team of support workers they may be able to give you help and guidance about what to expect in future and which devices will be best suited for your particular situation. This can help you cut down on options and also anticipate what needs you or your patient may have in the future as well as now.

One challenge that many patients and caregivers need to overcome is a home with more than one floor. If moving to a home with only one floor is not an option, you may need to consider installing a chair lift. This moves a seat or a patient's wheel chair from one level to another via a wall-mounted track.

Bathrooms can be a challenge for anyone with mobility issues. For an individual who is trying to care for themselves, being able to get in and out of a tub to wash and being able to stand or sit without worrying about falling are huge concerns. Wall mounted rail systems, bath seats and even walk-in bathtubs may allow them to look after themselves with much less difficulty. A caregiver who has the assistance of a sling mounted on a track can transfer their patient to and from a wheelchair easily and with much less back strain.

The bathroom is not the only room where lifting assistance is helpful. If someone is lacking in mobility or strength, devices to help move them from a bed to a wheelchair may make them more comfortable and help prevent a caregiver from injuring their back. You may want to consider a rail system that can accommodate a patient and shift them from a bed to another area.

You need to keep in mind the weight of the person that each of these devices will be working with. You also need to keep in mind the weight of any equipment that the devices will also be moving at the same time. For example some wheelchairs can be heavier than others and some lifting devices may not be able to handle the total combined weight.

Some of these devices can be quite expensive. You may need to install them over the course of months or even years. Working with a consultant and a reputable company may be able to help you retrofit a home by identifying which devices will be needed first.

There are many different companies in Baltimore MD that offer these products. You may want to find out which ones can provide service as well as the products themselves. They may also offer financing or be able to put you in touch with organizations that could help you with any funding that you require.




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