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Everyone wants the best for the people they love. When caring for an elderly or disabled loved one, installing a stair lift may be just what they need. Still, before buying one, you must freshen up on all the details.
A stair lift is not a permanent addition to a home. Most stair lift companies offer monthly rentals or leasing options, allowing customers to uninstall and return their lift when it is no longer needed.
The rest of this article will dive into temporary stair lifts, finding the right lift for you, and stair lift alternatives for those looking for other, less expensive options. Keep reading to get all the information you ever needed about stair lifts.
Can You Remove a Stair Lift?
Stair lifts do not have to be a forever commitment. They can be installed and uninstalled without much trouble at all. While many prefer to have a stair lift as a permanent staple in their home, short-term usage is very common too.
If someone is recovering from surgery, has elderly or disabled company over, or just wants to give it a test run, short-term stair lifts are a great choice.
Let’s walk through the possibilities of renting a stair lift.
Renting a Stair Lift
Most stair lift companies will provide month-to-month rental options. Renting is the best option for those only looking to have the addition for less than one month.
According to Marx Medical, standard stair lift rentals will only cost an average of $115 per month with a $400 installation charge. For stronger stair lifts, recommended for lifting over 300 lbs (136 kg), the standard is $215 per month with a $700 installation fee.
Some companies also have rent-to-own services if you decide to make a stair lift a staple in your home. A rented stair life can be yours typically after 30-36 months of payments or anywhere from $4,000-$7,000. You can also find pre-owned stair lifts for a discounted price.
Lasting Effects of Stair Lifts
If you’re only looking to have a stair lift for a short amount of time, you may be worried about any damage it will have on your stairs once it’s removed.
Realistically, stair lifts aren’t as complex as they seem; They are made up of tracks, a seat, safety harnesses or seatbelts, and then the hardware. The screws to hold the track down are installed onto the steps, not the wall, and only leave small holes.
Stairlifts, when appropriately installed, won’t leave any long-term, lasting effects on your stairs. If your steps have carpet, the holes will be unseen, but if your stairs don’t have carpet, filling the holes is a quick and easy job. It will be like the stair lift was never there.
Overall, a stair lift will not jeopardize your stairs’ structure or visual aesthetic when removed as long as you have a trusted company of trained professionals handling the installation and removal process.
Finding the Right Lift for You
When looking for the right stair lift, there are different options depending on where it will be and who will be using it.
The different types of lifts include:
- Straight stair lift
- Curved stair lift
- Outdoor stair lift
- Heavy-duty stair lift (300 lbs/136 kg)
The different lifts may also include various types of seats, safety harnesses, speeds, and weight limits depending on the needs and comfortability of the customer.
Most companies will have a consultant to speak with to find the best option for your unique situation and will even let you test the different seats and speeds before buying and installing.
Stair Lift Installation
A typical stair lift installation takes between two and three hours. However, curved staircases can require up to four or five hours’ worth of installation.
All the work will be done by a trained technician. All you have to do is open the door, stay out of the way, and tip them if you’re feeling generous. Then, once the tech has completed their work, they’ll show you how to safely operate the lift.
After all, it’s imperative that the customer and caregiver understand how the lift works to ensure optimal safety for their loved ones.
For customers who are hands-on or DIY fanatics, this is not the task for you. Stairlift companies do not recommend trying to install a lift on your own as the consequences of an installation mistake could be severe to the patient using it.
Need a stairlift that goes around corners? Check out my guide to find the best solutions. Can All Stairlifts Go Around Corners?
Stair Lift Alternatives
If a stair lift doesn’t seem like the right fit for you, other options exist to help you or a loved one navigate the steps safer.
Suppose you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to getting up the stairs. In that case, I recommend this EZ-Step Stair Climbing Cane (available on Amazon.com). This cane provides a robust and plastic step on the bottom to give an additional boost for walking up or down the stairs.
Another option is the Roami Progressive Mobility Aid Walker (available on Amazon.com). This walker is not only foldable but also helps the user go up and down steps through the design of its front wheels.
While a walker or cane may not be the best option for everyone, they are much cheaper. They’re also available for purchase online, often with optional monthly financing.
There are instances where more help is needed than just walking and standing support, and that’s when stair lifts become a necessity.
Final Thoughts
Stair lifts can be beneficial to a home, and they aren’t the commitment you think.
You have the option to rent a lift and see if it’s the right fit for you. Lifts can be installed in basically any home and don’t leave any lasting damage to your steps when removed.
Of course, if you decide against a stair lift, there are so many other options to help make going up and down stairs less of a battle.
It all comes down to what’s best for your loved ones and will put everyone else’s mind at ease.
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