Individuals who have mobility issues are often required to make some difficult decisions about their current living conditions. Can I remain living in my home or do I have to move? If moving, would I purchase a home that is easier to move around? Would I move in with one of my children? Should I move into a senior facility? Of course, not all people with mobility issues are seniors, so some of these options would not apply. A universal option is to adapt your current dwelling by installing a home elevator. Stairlifts are also an option, but a residential elevator appears to be the overall better choice. Below, are seven elements to consider that indicate a home elevator is the better choice over a stairlift.
- Independence – A elevator installer can give a person with limited mobility full access to their home, even if they use a wheelchair. Independence is a key component to having a sense of self-worth and quality of life enjoyment. Stairlifts can work with some mobility issues but will not work for anyone who uses a wheelchair, especially if assistance in and out of the chair is required.
- Safety – Safety is a critical factor in choosing any device that is going to impact one’s mobility. To use a stairlift, an individual needs to be mobile enough to get in and out of the chair. One would have to position themselves depending on the placement of the chair. They must wear a seatbelt to prevent accidents. Any falls from a height could cause serious, even fatal, injury. Obviously, this is not a scenario anyone wants to see. However, with an elevator, an individual would enter the cab. If the person were a wheelchair user, the stairlift would not even be a viable option. An entire chair will fit in an elevator. Another person or some cargo could also fit in the lift, depending on the size.
- Location Flexibility – Stairlifts have to be installed over the stairs. Elevators can be located in various places depending on the size, the style, and the type of lift chosen. Most can be hidden and would not be evident to the casual observer. Some styles, like the pneumatic elevators, are quite stunning. The clear plastic or glass containers creates a luxurious look similar to a hotel lobby.
- More Floors Accessible – While both stairlifts and elevators are made to travel between floors of one’s home, stairlifts are limited to one level at a time. Whereas, a home elevator can be installed between all of the stories that exist in one’s home.
- Various Design Options: Stairlifts have limited designs as it is made from a chair and a mechanism for climbing. The mechanisms may vary slightly depending on the way the stairs are made. Elevators, on the other hand, are open to design creativity. The cab can be designed to match your house’s décor or your personal taste. The cab can be bold and bright or quiet and calming. Match the lift’s cab entry door to the other doors in the house to keep the home’s style. To create a feature piece, design the lift entrance to look like a piece of art. Talk about a conversation starter.
- Always Accessible: If anyone else in your home used the stairlift or you used it to go up the stairs and were feeling ok to walk down, the stairlift would not be where it was needed the next time you wanted to use it. Either you would have to find someone to bring it down to you or you would have to use the stairs, which defeats the purpose. Whereas, if someone else used the elevator and you needed it, you would just have to press a button and recall it to your location. Much less stressful and much more convenient.
- Return on Investment (ROI): Elevators have various price points and none of them are inexpensive. However, adding an elevator to your home adds value to your home. Obviously, the Return of Investment depends on where you live, the cost of homes in your area, the cost of your home, the cost of your elevator, and the housing market in your area. Depending on these factors, the ROI can vary between 60% to !00%. Now that is a decent return. There is no value added to your home with the addition of a stairlift. In fact, if you are selling your home, you may want or need to remove the stairlift prior to the new owners taking possession. However, they would probably be excited to have an elevator, even if it is just to move the laundry between floors—what a treat.
If and when you decide that a home elevator is the best choice for your particular needs, we at Ascension Elevators are excited to answer your questions, guide you through the process, and/or provide you with the products and services to meet your needs – and beyond. Please contact us to make an appointment. You can call us at 587-977-3018 or email at info@ascensionelevators.com . Due to the current pandemic situation, we are striving to provide exceptional customer service to our clients while ensuring we do our part to follow the strategies laid out by our Public Health Authorities. Making appointments gives us the control needed to just that. Stay safe.