Aging Parents: 5 Surprising Ways a Stair Lift Can Help Them Live at Home Longer

1. Reduces the risk of a devastating fall

There’s a reason our parents put a baby gate over the stairs when we were toddlers. Stairs can be deadly. As we age, poor depth perception, especially in low light conditions, is one of the leading causes of falls. Add on a mobility challenge like arthritis, and stairs can be downright scary. A modern curved or straight stairlift overcomes this potential booby trap, letting mom and dad rest easier knowing their next trip up to the bedroom won’t land them in the emergency room.

2. Keep your parents active

You may laugh at the idea of a stair lift actually helping your parents be active, but hear me out. Instead of avoiding the stairs, and being relegated to one or two rooms of the house, your parents will actually have the freedom to move around more. If the laundry is downstairs, for instance, they can use the stair lift to do more of the daily chores rather than waiting for a caregiver (likely, you or your sibling) to do the ‘tough stuff.’ Plus getting outside to be active will be way easier. And isn’t that what we all want?

3. Saves money

Let’s face it, as our parents age, the cost of making their home more accessible starts to become a factor. Adapting a home to accommodate wider doors, lower countertops or a curbless shower can add up. But the cost of a custom stair lift is one of the least pricey things you can do to make your parent’s home safer and easier to get around in. Because a stair lift simply bolts to the stairway rail or floor, no major renovations are required. Just remember how much an assisted living arrangement can cost, and you’ll see this is truly a bargain in comparison.

4. Helps parents do chores safely

We’re always surprised by what our customers end up doing with their stair glides. One client uses it to move her plants from one level to another. Another customer uses it to bring meal platters up and down the stairs to his bedridden spouse. Another transfers her groceries from the front entrance landing to the upstairs kitchen.

The list of things you can do with a stairlift is endless. While we don’t encourage moving furniture this way, a stairlift can be an easier and safer way to move anything you would otherwise have to carry up the stairs.

5. Makes your parents (and you) happier

Freedom, independence, dignity. In our teens, these are the most important things in the world. Is it surprising that our parents want the same in their retirement? Stairs may be an obstacle, but most people want to stay in the place they love. So how to make it work? Start by minimizing the biggest hazard in the home – the stairs. A stairlift is an affordable way to overcome stairs and preserve the independence that your parents cherish. Everyone wins.