Mobility Products to Assist Elderly Parents

A huge challenge facing many is how to deal with an elderly parent, who not long ago was independent and needed no assistance but now has lost mobility through injury or illness. As aging occurs many people are faced with such issues and a loss of mobility makes it tough to manage day to day life, even within the home. Tasks which once were taken for granted, climbing up and down stairs, getting up from the chair and even walking a short distance, are now difficult to impossible.

Most people prefer to remain independent and stay in their own home, if possible, over moving to a managed care facility. One of the first suggestions is for the parent to leave the home they can no longer traverse, and move to a smaller, single level dwelling that is easier to manage. If the home they are currently in is great, save for a flight of stairs, a stair lift can be added to solve the problem of getting from one floor to another.

Stair lift Technology

Much more cost effective than an elevator, and easier to install, a stair lift allows a rider to move up and down stairs while seated. These lifts, known as stair lifts, can be installed for a staircase inside or outside the home and give the user back his/her mobility in their home. They can also be installed on a curved staircase. For many, the addition of a stair lift may be all they need to continue living in their home.

Lift Chair Technology

Getting seated is usually not a problem for most, but how about getting up? Lift chairs solve that problem by gently moving a person from the sitting to the standing position. Current designs allow the user to purchase a chair that blends in with their home décor (often looking much like a laz-y-boy chair), with levers tucked away on one side. These types of chairs generally offer 2 – 3 positions, battery backup in case of a power failure and can lift up to about 300 pounds.

To read more about installing stair lifts and lift chairs in your home visit: http://www.wheelchair-ramps-and-mobility-aids.com/stair-lifts.htm