Have you experienced trouble going up and down the stairs? Are you looking for a way that you can safely move around your home, without worrying about slipping, falling, or any other difficulty? According to research by the Disability Statistics Center from the University of California, San Francisco, more than 1.6 million Americans use wheelchairs. From this same study, approximately 60% of respondents reported that they had major difficulties getting in and around their home because of their wheelchairs.

If you are looking for a solution to help increase your mobility around your home, then a stair lift is what you need. These devices can assist you in more ways than one, and they are definitely practical additions to any home. Mentioned here is a brief history of the stair lifts known today, and how these devices can help you live comfortably and manage your wheelchair use with ease.

During the 1920's to the 1930's, as the the paralysing disease was sharply on the rise, wheelchair use exploded. During this time, an inventor named C. C. Crispen devised a method to help his disabled friend move from one floor to another. He designed a prototype of a seat that can go up the incline of the stairs, and it was known as the Inclin-ator.

The modern stair lift today has a track that can be attached to the steps of any staircase, on either side. There are curved tracks as well as straight tracks. By use of an electric motor, a seat, or carriage, is moved up the staircase as it follows the tracks. The wheelchair can be attached to the side of the stair lift, so when the user has reached the top of the stairs, he can transfer himself onto the wheelchair.

There are now various models of stair lifts, some of them specially designed to cater to patients with back injuries. Some models of stair lifts look more like small elevators, with a platform that secures the wheelchair. There are stair lifts that can be operated via remote control, too. In any case, no matter how narrow or wide your staircase is, there is a type of stair lift that fits it perfectly, and there is sure to be a model of stair lift that will suit your needs the best.

Most restaurants, cinemas, offices, and other establishments today integrate a stair lift into their facilities. Since adding or installing a ramp may pose structural challenges to the owners, they add stair lifts instead, so that their place can be more accessible to persons on wheelchairs.

In some ways, a stair lift can also be used by persons who are not on wheelchairs. If you are to carry heavy loads up and down the stairs, it is also safe to have a stair lift on hand. They are practical for transporting groceries, laundry, and other heavy loads without the risk of falling or dropping them.

As you can see, a stair lift can help you in more ways than one. You may do further research online or inquire with your medical practitioner to find out which types are best for you.