Studies are showing that more older adults are choosing to stay in their homes rather than move into assisted living facilities. The reasons for this shift are not only personal, but also practical.
Home offers comfort, familiarity, emotional connection, and security. These are things that cannot easily be replicated in a care facility. For many older adults, remaining in their own space means that they maintain their autonomy, stay close to their neighbors and family, maintain their routine, and live with their memories.
Thanks to modern accessibility solutions like Stannah stairlifts, staying at home has now not only become possible, but safer and more convenient than before.
The Aging-in-Place Revolution
More and more, aging adults want to remain in familiar surroundings, keep their community ties, and simultaneously preserve their quality of life. People no longer want to move out of their home into a long-term care facility or other type of residence, but for many individuals, the main barrier to remaining at home is their mobility limitations.
Aging-in-Place emphasizes independence, safety, and dignity. What makes this more popular is the growing reality that home is more than just a physical space. Home is an individual’s emotional security and provides familiarity, routine, and dignity. Seniors are realizing that it is beneficial to stay where they feel most connected, as it promotes a better mental well-being, reduces the risk of social isolation, and often delays the need for facility or institutional care.
The key to aging-in-place is empowerment. Empowering older adults to maintain control over their environment, their choices, and their lifestyle preferences reflects a commitment to communities that growing older doesn’t mean needing to give up Independence, but rather adapt to life and keep living fully in safety and with dignity.
Advances in home-based healthcare, mobility accessories and equipment, and community support services have made aging-in-place an achievable goal. Among other accessories, stairlifts are a vital home addition that allows seniors residing in multi-level homes to safely age in place.
The Role Of Stairlifts in Home Independence
At first glance, a stairlift allows a person to move between floors without the need to climb stairs. This may seem like a simple solution, but the impact of having a stairlift reaches many other, much deeper areas. Designed to integrate smoothly into any home, fold away when not in use, and offer a quiet operation, they feel like a natural part of everyday life rather than a medical device. Other ways that stairlifts improve quality of life include:
- Economic and emotional value – being able to stay at home is less costly long-term than long-term care, and it preserves the emotional well-being that comes with being linked to familiar surroundings.
- Prevention of injuries and unnecessary hospitalization – one of the most common injuries that occur in a multi-level home is falling on stairs. To a person with mobility challenges, stairs are dangerous. A properly installed stair lift drastically reduces the incidence of falls.
- Reduction of caregiver injury/burnout – caregivers are constantly needing to lift or support loved ones with mobility challenges. Lifting and supporting a loved one up and down stairs is a physical burden that caregivers may not be able to sustain long-term. Relying on a mechanical assistant that is consistent and safe drastically reduces caregiver burnout.
- Routine and social interaction – a stairlift allows the individual to move up and down stairs, access all the levels of their home safely, continue to pursue their hobbies, sustain social interaction, and sleep in their own bedroom.
Choosing The Right Stannah Stairlift For Your Home
A lot of thought and planning go into choosing the right stairlift. The stairlift you select should address the user’s needs, the home layout, as well as the user’s lifestyle. Here are five things to consider when deciding on a stair lift.
1. The Assessment.
A consultant will need to do an in-home evaluation to determine the type of stair lift that would best fit the home. The assessment will include measuring the stair width, determining whether the stairlift will be used on a straight or curved rail, and how many doorways and landings are to be included in the stairlift pathway. The assessment will need to be done by a technician who has experience installing stairlifts, as they will have the expertise to offer the best advice.
2. The User’s Comfort Needs
When choosing a stairlift, one needs to consider the seat dimensions, the padding, and the swivel options. This is very significant, especially if the user spends quite a lot of their time seated.
3. Safety Requirements
Safety requirements need to be carefully considered. Features like obstruction sensors, seat belts, and the battery backup are non-negotiable safety features that must be included in the stairlift of your choice.
4. Service Plan
When choosing a stairlift, it is important to ascertain the maintenance schedules, response time for service calls, and warranty coverage. Your local supplier should be able to explain the various options and provide you with enough information to give you peace of mind.
5. Aesthetic Preferences
The stairlift is going to be a part of your home. If home design is important to you, talk to your consultant about the various finishes and upholstery that Stannah stairlifts have that will allow your stairlift to blend with your interior decor.
Next-Generation Features That Set Stannah Apart
Stannah stairlifts are known for their superior quality, reliability, and safe transfers between multiple levels of a home. They reduce caregiver strain, integrate into most living spaces, and promote user and caregiver confidence. The Next Generation Stannah 158 improvements are practical and continue to build on the legacy that is aimed at safety, comfort, and aesthetics. The Stannah 158 is the next-generation stairlift that sets Stannah apart. Features that the 158 has introduced to stairlifts include:
- A new design – the Stannah stairlift is comprised of materials and finishes that look and feel premium. This stairlift looks a lot less clinical and more like a piece of furniture that belongs in the home. The new look Stannah 158 has:
- A single, elegant color scheme
- A smart black rail and carriage
- Sustainable, tactile, two-tone upholstery in warm neutral tones
- A forward-facing seat fold and mechanisms to fold the arms and footrest. This neater folding profile maximizes stair width for other household members. A touch of the button allows users with limited dexterity to fold the seat.
- Bi-directional swivel capability – a new ergonomic Improvement is the bi-directional swiveling at the various park points. There is also a central swivel option. These features make getting on and off the seat easier and safer. The ability to park and swivel the seat at multiple points is especially helpful for curved or narrow staircases.
- Magnetic seat belts and audio feedback – the 158 includes a magnetic seat belt, allowing for simple, secure fastening. Soft audio feedback reassures users during the operation, making the device intuitive for first-time or new users.
- Sensitive obstruction sensors will gently stop the chair’s movement if there is an obstacle in the pathway.
- Battery backup ensures the stairlift can operate during a power outage. This is an essential feature that ensures the user will always be able to land at a level and not be stuck halfway up the staircase.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Disruptive Is The Installation?
Most installations are minimally invasive. Straight rails are the easiest to install, and can usually be installed within a day. Curved rails and staircases with many landings need to be customized, so they may take a little longer. Scheduling is usually coordinated to ensure minimum disruption to the household.
2. What About Outdoor Stairs?
Stannah stairlifts have indoor and outdoor stairlift models. The outdoor models are designed to withstand South Florida’s harsh weather conditions. Materials and finishes for outdoor stairlifts differ from their indoor counterparts, as they are specifically chosen to resist corrosion.
3. How Long Does A Stair Lift Last?
With proper maintenance and cleaning, Stannah stairlifts may last many years. It is important to schedule regular service checks and battery replacements to maximize the stairlift’s lifespan.
Age-In-Place With Advanced Mobility And Stannah Stairlifts
Don’t let stairs limit your life and rob you of your confidence and the ability to stay in your home. A stairlift is more than just a purchase; it is an investment in your freedom and safety. At Advanced Mobility, we understand that confidence, Independence, and safety are vital to daily living. Our team is ready to guide you and provide solutions to power your aging-in-place in your own home goals.
If you want to age-in-place with comfort, style, and confidence, and are looking for a stairlift that complements your goals, call us at 954-888-9292 to schedule your free in-home consultation today.