How Do Stairlifts Work?
A stairlift (also known as a stair lift, chair lift, or lift chair), is a cost-effective solution for seniors and people with disabilities who want to stay in their two-story or split-level home, but how do stairlifts work? If you or a loved one is starting to need independent living aids to move around the home safely, understanding how a stairlift works will help you make an informed choice.
Stairlift Components
Since their invention in the 1930s, stairlifts have been made in several makes and models. However, nearly 100 years on, there are some basic components that are common to all stairlift models today. These components work together to safely propel the user up and down the stairs, preventing falls and maximizing independence.
Track
The stairlift track is the rail along which the chair moves to take the user safely up and down the stairs. This rail works much like how a train track guides a train along its route.
The track contains a mechanism, usually a geared strip, that is enmeshed with a cog in the base of the chair lift to move it up and down. When the cog turns one way, the chair goes up. When the direction of the cog is reversed, the chair goes down.
Track Overruns
Many stairlifts have track overruns, which are additional pieces of track that are added at the end of the track to let the user safely access or exit the chair lift.
Track overruns sometimes have folding rails—meaning that the extra piece of track can be folded up out of the way to avoid it taking up space and getting in other people's way. The chair can also be sent the other way using a call/send function to avoid having the chair lift parked in the main living area.
Seat
The stairlift seat comprises a seat and backrest, usually with a seat belt and armrests containing user controls. While seated, the user's feet are supported by a footrest for comfort and to prevent them from knocking their feet on the stairs.
In most models, the seat swivels to allow the user to safely access or dismount the stairlift without any risk of falling down the stairs. The seat and footrest can usually be folded up manually or automatically to save space when not in use.
Motor
The stairlift motor is contained in the enclosed base of the stairlift together with the battery (in the case of a battery-powered stairlift). When the motor rotates, the cog turns—enmeshing with the gears on the track as described above. When the motor's direction is reversed, the direction of the cog is likewise reversed and the stairlift moves the opposite way.
To set the stairlift in motion, the motor can be activated by:
Pressing a button or lever on the armrest
Pressing a button on a wall-mounted unit near the end of the track
Pressing a button on a remote control
Most stairlift models come with a call/send button that allows people to send the stairlift to the other end of the stairs (or call it back to where they are) without anyone riding on the seat. This is a useful feature when more than one person needs to ride up or down the stairs or when you need to transport laundry, packages, or even pets.
Battery
Stairlifts can be powered with a battery, which is located in the base together with the motor, or with a direct power supply. Most stairlifts are battery operated today so that they have a constant power supply even in the event of a power outage.
On battery-powered units, the battery charger works automatically and nothing further needs to be done. If there is a power outage, most battery-powered stairlifts—including the ones sold at Mobility Plus Colorado in Denver—will go up and down the stairs 40 times before needing to be recharged.
How to Use a Stairlift
To use a stairlift:
The user folds the seat and footrest down and fastens the seat belt.
Once safely seated, he or she presses the button on the armrest or remote control to activate the motor, which turns the cog.
As the gears on the cog enmesh with the gears in the geared strip on the track, the chair moves either up or down the stairs.
Once the chair reaches the top landing or the bottom of the stairs, the user turns the swivel seat, unfastens the seat belt, and transfers from the seat to their cane, walker, rollator, manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, mobility scooter, or simply gets up if no other mobility devices are required.
To call or send a stairlift:
The user places any items on the seat that they wish to send.
The user presses a button on the wall unit or remote control to call or send the chair.
The user at the receiving end folds up the seat and footrest if they don't fold automatically.
Safety Features
Most stairlift models come with safety features that protect the user of the chair as well as other people and pets that use the stairs.
Seat Belt
Every stairlift comes with a seat belt to ensure a safe ride and prevent the user from falling out.
Sensors
Most stairlifts come with obstruction sensors that will bring the movement of the chair to a halt if there is something on the stairs that could get hit or run over by the stairlift.
Angled Seat
Some stairlift models come with a seat that's tilted back slightly as an added safety feature to keep the user safely seated and comfortable.
Straight Stairlift vs. Curved Stairlift
Stairlifts installed on straight staircases use a straight rail that’s installed by fitting sections of track together and drilling the track mountings into the stair treads. A straight stair chair lift track can easily be drilled into stairs made of concrete, wood, or steel. A stairlift track is never mounted directly onto the wall.
Curved staircases usually require custom stairlifts because the track pieces have to be heated and bent to the exact angle of the curve. The installation process will typically take longer for curved stairs than it would for straight stairs.
Comparing Stairlift Models
The answer to "how do stairlifts work" is the same for every stairlift model. However, there are several differences between models that will influence the choice of a rental stairlift, purchased stairlift, or custom stairlift.
Weight Limit
Stairlift models are available with different weight limits to suit different users. Stairlifts with a higher weight limit typically have a wider seat, more reinforcement, stronger materials, and a more powerful motor.
Height Limit
In addition to the weight limit, stairlifts are made for users of different heights. Stairlifts for taller users may have a taller backrest or higher overall height (for standing stairlifts). It's important to choose a stairlift that meets the user's height even if they are below the weight limit to avoid them having to scrunch.
Indoor and Outdoor Stairlifts
Most stairlifts are intended for indoor use. However, an outdoor stairlift may sometimes be needed to transport users up and down stairs in a garage or in a fully outdoor setting like a public building, dock, or beach.
Outdoor stairlifts are made with special weather-resistant materials and often need to be custom-made. In some cases, vertical platform wheelchair lifts or wheelchair ramps may be a more cost-effective solution.
Stairlift Maintenance and Care
To get the best use out of a stairlift, there are several things to keep in mind:
Choose a high-quality stairlift. While all stairlifts work similarly, all stairlifts are not made the same. To ensure maximum longevity from your stairlift, choose equipment made by reputable stairlift manufacturers and sold by a reputable retailer. New and reconditioned stairlifts usually come with a warranty on workmanship to protect you in the case of a faulty product.
Respect the weight limits. As mentioned above, stairlifts are available for different user weights and heights. Using a stairlift designed for a lighter individual could result in quicker wear and damage to the equipment and may even void the warranty. It's much more cost-effective to buy or rent a stairlift with the correct weight limit than to replace a more basic model when it breaks.
Have the stairlift installed by professionals. In an attempt to save on stairlift costs, some families opt for DIY installation rather than having their stairlift installed by professionals. Ultimately, this puts the user's safety at risk and may also go against local and state building codes. In response to a rise in DIY installation for stairlifts purchased online, the Accessibility Equipment Manufacturers Association (AEMA) issued a position paper warning against the installation of mobility equipment by inexperienced individuals.
Follow the maintenance schedule. Every stairlift needs maintenance, testing, and repair from time to time. At a minimum, this may include checking and/or replacing the battery and oiling the track. Many mobility equipment retailers offer maintenance plans to ensure the longest life span for your stairlift.
Designate a place to keep the remote controls. It might seem simple, but remote controls that become lost can compromise your stairlift experience. Designating a place for any remote controls will ensure you can call or send the stairlift chair whenever you need it.
The Right Stairlift Could Change Your Life
After learning how stairlifts work, the most important thing to take away is how the right stairlift, properly maintained, can change a person's life and protect them against falls. Whether it's used to modify a person's home after an accident, illness, or as they age or prepare your home for a guest with limited mobility, a quality stairlift will ensure maximum independence and keep you and your loved ones safe.
If you decide that stairlift rental or purchase is the best solution for your home, consulting with a professional mobility equipment retailer will help you find an appropriate stairlift model for your situation and ensure that it is properly installed and maintained. You may even be able to test-drive stairlifts in the showroom to get a feel for the different models of stairlift and how they work.
Since their invention nearly 100 years ago, stairlifts have helped thousands of families. Find out for yourself what a stairlift could do for you!