platform lifts
platform lifts
Going up and down the steps can be a hard task for many different people that suffer from arthritis, are older, suffer from a muscular disease, or ar in a wheelchair. For these individuals it may non be safe or even possible to go up and down the stairs. This can be extremely frustrative because there is a whole section of your house that can not be used. There are several mobility related products on the market today that can help a mobility challenged person conquer the stairs. The most common solution is to install either a vertical platform lift or a step lift.
A vertical platform lift is similar to a mini-elevator. It installs on the side of the steps and travels vertically up and down. Vertical platform lifts consist of a platform that varies in size, depending on the model, with a set of handrails or walls attached to the platform. Vertical platform lifts are often referred to as wheelchair lifts. This is because they are made so that a wheelchair, power chair, or mobility scooter can be driven onto the platform. Vertical platform lifts ar also used to access areas of unlike elevations such as a stage or bleachers. A vertical platform lift can only be installed on certain types of stairs. In order to function properly, the vertical platform lift must be capable to vertically raise the platform the distance of the stairs and access the top landing vertically. This is as opposed to accessing it crossways horizontal distance of the actual steps. A vertical platform lift is ideal for an outside porch, because most landings on porches have two open sides that a vertical platform can use.
A step lift is also an aid to help people that cannot climb the stairs on their own, but it works otherwise than a vertical platform lift. Where a vertical platform lift raises the individual vertically in the air, a stair lift is much more similar to an escalator. A step lift raises a chair or small platform on a track that is bolted to the steps. Residential step lifts are generally not intentional to carry wheelchairs or other mobility vehicles up the stairs. They do, however, have available baskets to help carry holding up the stairs and they also have a high weight capacity, similar to vertical platform lifts. Stair lifts can be installed inside or outside and no matter how your step case is designed, there is probably a stair lift that will be able to attach to it. They also ar generally less expensive than vertical platform lifts.
Deciding on whether to get a vertical platform lift or a stair lift will depend on several factors. If you need to be capable to transport your wheelchair or other mobility vehicle while you ar on it than probably a vertical platform lift will be best for you. If you do not need your mobility vehicle and depending on the type of stairs you have then a step lift may be the best choice. Regardless it is no thirster necessary to feel trapped in your own home simply because you can non use the stairs.
By: Brad Brubaker
Article Source: platform lifts
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