Stair Alternatives - Stair Chair Lift

Stair Alternatives - Stair Chair Lift

Potential Challenges
•	Fear of falling
	Give step-by-step instructions
	Offer support, such as "You're safe; you won't fall."
	If possible, walk behind person, offering support.
•	Getting on/off seat, especially at top of stairs
•	Mobility aids needed for each floor
•	Nearby outlet needed
For this demo, we've removed the left staircase wall.
How They Work

How They Work

Battery-operated, this chair lift runs along a track that's installed on the stairs.

Main features to look for include:

Adjustable swivel seat with lock
Safety belt to keep the person from falling
Remote control so you can operate the chair lift
Track installed on the landing increases safety

Check the stairs to make sure you can (or anyone else) can safely walk up or down with a chair lift installed; the chair lift can take up 13 inches or so of the walkway (at the top or bottom of the stairs – wherever the seat is) when the seat is folded up against the wall.

Consider a DC battery equipped stair lift so the chair will work during a power outage (AC electric chairs will not). Although the DC chair lift is battery operated, the track needs to be within 6 to 8 feet of an outlet so that the chair lift can continually recharge its battery. The battery will need to be replaced every 18 months or so.

TIP
Common charging points are at each end of the track – and if the chair isn't parked correctly, the batteries will go flat (a common cause of service calls). Some lift chairs, however, are designed to recharge the batteries at any point on the track.

Please note: A home elevator would be the preferred alternative to stairs, but we are not including information on this option, as it's beyond the financial means of most families.

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Narration:

When using the stairs becomes unsafe, access within the home may be increased by installing a stair chair lift, but not all persons with dementia will be able to use them.

First, if the person has never used a chair lift, he or she could be afraid of falling, even though the chair moves slowly. So it's important to give step-by-step instructions and inform the person that the chair will move before you operate it. And offer support. For example, you could say, "You're safe, you won't fall." You may need to walk behind the person, offering support.

Secondly, depending on the person's ability to transfer, it may be difficult to get on and off the seat, especially at the top of stairs if the person fears falling. When ordering the chair lift, specify that you want the track to be installed on the top landing, too, not just alongside the stairs. This increases the cost, but it's really worth it as it also increases transfer safety.

Finally, you'll need to make sure that he or she has a cane, walker or wheelchair on each floor.