For seniors and those with limited mobility, staircases can pose a significant fall risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, millions of older adults are treated for fall injuries each year, and falls cause tens of thousands of fatalities in seniors annually. To help prevent stair-related falls, seniors can consider installing a chairlift in their home.
Chairlifts can help seniors move safely throughout their home and reduce their risk of falls on staircases. If you’re interested in these budget-friendly chairlift brands, you can find local options with an online search right now.
Top Affordable Chairlift Brands
Here are some of the leading affordable chairlift brands available:
AmeriGlide
AmeriGlide is a company that specializes in comfortable and affordable chairlifts for seniors. They provide straight and curved stairlifts that can be customized to meet your needs. Prices start at $1,999 for straight stairlifts and $8,614 for curved stairlifts. AmeriGlide guarantees the best price for their products, and if you find a lower price elsewhere, they will match it and give you an additional 10% discount.
Handicare
Handicare is another affordable company that offers both straight and curved stairlifts. Prices start at around $2,500, depending on the model you choose. The lifts come with hinged tracks, folding and swivel functions, body harnesses, and slide tracks. One safety feature of the Handicare stairlifts is the seven sensors that automatically detect objects in their path and stop the chair.
Harmar
Harmar offers a range of accessibility mechanisms, including stairlifts. Their stairlifts start at around $2,500, plus the cost of installation. Harmar stairlifts are designed to provide up to 60 trips in the event of a power outage. Additionally, seniors seeking a small and discreet model can choose one that folds as narrow as 10.5-inches when not in use.
Savaria
Savaria creates products that provide accessibility and help people maintain their personal mobility. Pricing for a base model stairlift starts at $2,750. One option to consider is the K2 Straight Stairlift, which can fold up to a width of less than 11-inches, leaving more space on the stairs when the chair is not in use.
Stannah
Stannah has been designing stairlifts for more than 40 years. Customers can purchase a Stannah straight stairlift starting at $3,400, and receive professional installation, an extended warranty, and all the necessary features.
Stannah also offers custom curved stairlifts, which are more expensive. Some of the models available with this brand include the Stannah Starla, Stannah Siena, Stannah Sadler, and Stannah Outdoor.
Types of Chairlifts
Not all staircases are the same, so chairlifts can be customized to meet your needs and fit your home. There are two basic types of chairlifts: straight and curved. Chairlifts come with standard features, such as a speed governor, seat belt, and manual lowering feature. Obstruction sensors are another safety feature worth mentioning, which stop the chair when it meets an object.
Are Stairlifts Covered by Medicare?
Unfortunately, stairlifts are usually not considered durable medical equipment that Medicare helps pay for under Part B. Some seniors eligible for Medicaid could receive financial compensation for a chairlift through Home and Community Based Services.
Chairlifts Give Seniors Independence
Chairlifts can give seniors the freedom to travel through all levels of their home without the risk of falling. This can provide a sense of independence, making seniors feel more confident and in control of their lives. Chairlifts can also give their loved ones some reassurance knowing that their loved one can safely move throughout their home.
Other Benefits to Chairlifts
Beyond safety and regaining independence, there are plenty of other reasons seniors should consider a chairlift at home. For example, chairlifts come with a comfortable chair, cushions, and armrests, allowing seniors to live at home longer.
Additionally, most chairlifts come with quick installation services and are easy to use. Seniors can also customize user options and have the option of short-term solutions for injured seniors.
Are Chairlifts Easy to Use?
Using a chairlift is not complicated. It only takes a switch to control the chair’s movement. Holding down the button will move the chair, and letting go of the button will stop the chair immediately.
Once the chair reaches the end of the track, it stops automatically. Chairlifts come with different functions depending on the model you choose. For example, some users may opt for a remote control to move the chair.
When to Consider a Chairlift
Getting a chairlift might seem like an unnecessary investment to some. But, this device can be helpful in many situations that are less obvious. Besides mobility issues and safety, there are other signs it might be time to purchase a chairlift for home.
For example, you might pull yourself up the stairs using a banister or shuffle up or down the staircase instead of walking. You may have difficulty seeing the steps or get out of breath or dizzy.
Compare Brands and Prices Online
Chairlifts can provide seniors with the freedom to continue living in their homes and reduce the risk of injuries on staircases. Whether the staircase is curved, straight, or outdoors, companies can customize the lift to meet your needs and fit it into your home. Search online to discover chairlift companies in your area, compare your options, and see if they offer a free quote or trial period to test the chair out before committing.