Mobility aids such as stair lifts and rolling walkers can keep us moving around our home and living independent for a longer time. Being independent keeps us happier and helps us to live longer. But is longevity a blessing or a curse?
Quotes such as "We are on the verge of the first ever mass geriatric society" from the PBS show Frontline catch our attention and beg us to ask ourselves the question of what will we do when we're very old? According to a joint report by ABC news and USA Today called "Living Longer, Living Better", most people are happy to live, on average, to about 87, that is if they stay in good health and can continue caring for themselves.
What happens when a person has a stroke or a chronic illness that decreases their mobility? Going quietly to the old age home is not an option many elderly will agree to these days. The stories about institutional living are out and they don't get high marks. Plus a change of address at 85 or 90 comes at the worst time for most, when they are least able to adapt.
Staying in Your Own Home
It is possible to continue living in your own home or apartment, even though you may have some minor mobility issues, just by making a few changes.
Can you still walk unaided or do you need a cane or rolling walker? Mobility equipment such as this is important to keep you from falling as you move about your home. If you are prone to falling, it advisable to wear some sort of emergency contact device at all times, so if you do fall and are debilitated, you'll be able to make an emergency call.
Make sure the pathways to and from the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and living room in your home are unobstructed. And set up night lights so you don't have to stumble around in the dark.
Add bars to your tub or shower and around your toilet to give you a secure hand hold when using the bathroom.
Consider getting weekly or daily help picking up groceries, medication, for general house cleaning and any other tasks you are unable to do. If this is not something that fits into your fixed income budget, looked into the volunteer options available to seniors in your community. There are many such programs that offer services to seniors for free.
Adding a Stair Lift
Many people make plans to move to single story homes or apartment if mobility is an issue, but if this is not an option available to you, consider adding a stair lift to your home. These can be expensive and Medicare won't cover any of the costs (your insurance company may cover a portion so be sure to look into that). Generally you are looking at about $1700 to $2500 to install a stair lift to fit a straight staircase in your home. If you need one to fit a curved staircase, that will cost more.
Other Factors to Consider when Purchasing a Stair Lift
If the installation of a brand new stair lift is cost prohibitive, you may want to consider a used lift. The downside to purchasing one used is that it won't be under warranty. Look into buying from a reputable dealer that refurbishes and installs used lifts and offers a limited warranty. If you do purchase a used lift, make sure the chair is in good shape, that it still swings out smoothly and that the seat belt works.
You can choose between stair lifts that run on rechargeable batteries or AC power. Why would you want one over the other? Battery operated lifts are not subject to power outages, run smoother and installation is easier because there is no wiring when installing them. AC lifts can overcome being stopped by a power outage by having a battery backup and even though you may spend a bit more on the installation, you won't have to replace expensive rechargeable batteries to operate your lift.
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