Monday, July 27, 2015

A Caregiver's Guide To Choosing Chair Lifts For Stairs Or Other Home Mobility Devices

By April Briggs


Physical disabilities bring with them a lot of challenges both for the patient and for their caregiver. The good news is that devices such as chair lifts for stairs can make it easier for caregivers to look after patients and may also help individuals with compromised mobility stay in their own home longer. If you are in the market for these devices, here is some information on picking the right devices for your needs.

You may not be sure which devices are right for your needs or the needs of the person you are caring for. You may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information that you need to wade through before picking which model is right for you. If you have a team of support workers they may be able to give you help and guidance about what to expect in future and which devices will be best suited for your particular situation. This can help you cut down on options and also anticipate what needs you or your patient may have in the future as well as now.

If you have stairs in your home a lifting device can be very helpful. These usually consist of a seat that runs up and down the stairs along a track that is installed on the wall. For some individuals, a lift with a built in seat is the best choice. For others, one that can accommodate a wheelchair may be better suited to their needs.

The bathroom is one area where you may want to install assistance devices. There are rails which can be installed on the wall of a bathtub to help someone get in and out of the tub. There are also devices which are installed on the ceiling which can help you get from a chair into the tub. If standing up for extended periods is difficult, you may want to consider getting a seat for the tub or choosing a model with a bench that is built in.

The bathroom is not the only room where lifting assistance is helpful. If someone is lacking in mobility or strength, devices to help move them from a bed to a wheelchair may make them more comfortable and help prevent a caregiver from injuring their back. You may want to consider a rail system that can accommodate a patient and shift them from a bed to another area.

One thing to consider is how much weight a particular device will have to move. Often, if it is a chair lift that will need to accommodate a patient's wheelchair the device may need to move quite a bit of weight. You should also make sure that the device is easy to operate and is professionally installed so that you can move from one level to another quickly and safely.

Be prepared for some of these devices to cost quite a bit of money. There are organizations which can help you with funding but there may be an application process that you need to go through. You may also be able to get funding through health insurance or government organizations as well.

There are many different companies in Baltimore MD that offer these products. You may want to find out which ones can provide service as well as the products themselves. They may also offer financing or be able to put you in touch with organizations that could help you with any funding that you require.




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