Stairs present a significant hazard for many seniors, and those who live in a house with stairs often face a difficult

                                                           decision: leave their home for a single level residence or install stair lifts that will allow safe movement up and down

                                                           the existing stairways in a home. A good home stair lift is a wonderful solution for seniors with mobility issues who

                                                           have trouble with steps. A stair lift will carry your wife up and down the stairs in a safe seated position, giving her

                                                           easy access to the second story or basement level of your home. A stair lift is a chair that climbs up and down a

                                                           staircase on a motorized rail attached. While getting up and down the stairs safely is the primary concern, today’s

                                                           top quality lifts include numerous features to maximize comfort, ease of use and attractiveness in the home. But with

                                                           so many options available how do you choose one that best meets your needs and budget. Here are a few shopping

                                                           tips along with some good companies that offer them. Stair lifts are designed to last for many years with minimal

                                                           maintenance. The lift should also come with a manufacturer warranty should anything break down. It is a very sturdy

                                                           piece of machinery and can accommodate weight up to 375 lbs (170 kg) in capacity. Adding mobility for the disabled,

                                                           the elderly, or the recuperating, Handicare’s unique designs integrate the stairlift into a home without being the central

                                                           focus of the home. Handicare has solutions for everyone with one of the most comfortable and safest chair lifts for

                                                           stairs with the added benefit of visual appeal. Rails are slim, elegant, and fit close to the wall with all mechanical parts

                                                           hidden from view. These are part of the design elements that typify a Handicare Stairchair.

                                                           Standing and perching stair lifts are designed for narrow stairways where a regular chair lift would not fit due to the

                                                           narrow width. They are only suitable for elderly who have the ability to stand for several minutes - the length of time it

                                                           takes to move up or down the stairs. There is a rail that they can hold onto for security. If they cannot tolerate standing

                                                           for even short periods of time, a seated chair lift for stairs is the best option. The difference between the standing and

                                                           perching stair lift is the perching model has support beneath the buttocks to help take the weight off the senior's legs. Both

                                                           models share the same features as seated chairlifts in that the footplate folds up and so do the rails.