Getting older is a part of life and, as such, it brings both pleasure and problems. Yes, there are pleasures such as enjoying grandchildren, retirement (perhaps), and time to travel or indulge in one's hobbies, but there often comes problems such as limited mobility and, in some cases, a dependence on others. Both of these problems can be especially difficult for the person who has always valued their independence. Fortunately, there are actions that can be taken to make dealing with these problems easier. One such option is by outfitting one's home with stairlifts. If you are not sure that you, or perhaps a loved one, are truly a candidate for a stairlift, ask yourself these nine questions:

1. Have I/they stumbled or fallen down the stairs recently?


2. Am I/they out of breath when ascending the stairs?


3. Do you become lightheaded or experience vertigo when going up or down the stairs?


4. Are you only using a portion of your home, as it is easier to avoid the stairs?


5. Do you ask someone else to retrieve things from locations that involve using the stairs, as you are afraid of falling?


6. Do you have stairs that, should you fall on them, would result in a serious injury?


7. Have you injured yourself and will be unable to go up/down the stairs for several months?


8. Do you have poor balance or a physical/medical condition that causes you to be susceptible to falling?


9. Is the staircase a steep one, making it dangerous for you attempt unassisted?

If you have answered "yes" to at least one of these questions, then it might be time to seriously consider stairlifts for your, or a loved one's home. If you are already considering the purchase of a stairlift, you may have several questions, which you need answered. Here are a few FAQs regarding purchasing stairlifts:

Should I consider purchasing a pre-owned stairlift? This greatly depends on the usage. After all, if the chairlift was purchased but only used for a few months before the owner passed away or moved to a new location, then chances are high that the chairlift is still in great working order. However, if they chair has been in use for several years then you might wish to give it more thought. Like any other product, there are always advancements in design, accessories and ease of use with stairlifts so the older chairlifts may not have as many features.

Can I get someone from a chairlifts store to come check out an older chairlift? In many cases, the answer is, "yes", especially if the company is local or has a representative in your area. Of course, be prepared for them to tell you about the latest in designs. Listen carefully. You may find that the newer chairlift will better suit the need.

Should I buy a chairlift online? This is not recommended, as you want to be able to give the chair a thorough examination. Remember, the purpose of stairlifts is to keep one safer, so you want to be sure a chairlift is in the best working order possible.

Can I install the chairlift myself? This is a situation where it is worth the money to have a professional do the job. Once again, it is all about safety. A professional stairlift installer must be certified and factory trained, so they are going to know a great deal more about how to install a stairlift to be safe and efficient.

Stairlifts are often part of aging. Be sure that the one you select meets not just your financial needs, but your health and safety ones as well.