fbpx

3 Crucial Tips for Choosing a Wheelchair Lift – HLS Healthcare Pty Ltd

3 Crucial Tips for Choosing a Wheelchair Lift

Do you think it’s about time you installed a wheelchair lift in your home or hospital? If so, there’s a good chance that you’re currently asking several questions about how you can choose the right model, and ensure it’s installed with safety in mind. A wheelchair lift can be a powerful accessory for someone with mobility issues or disabilities. With a wheelchair lift, it’s possible for these people to move from one floor to the next without dangerous, and potential harmful lifting and handling practices.

Of course, choosing the right wheelchair lift for your needs can be a lot more complicated than it seems. To help you make the right decision, the experts here at HLS Healthcare have come together to provide a few useful tips you can use for choosing your wheelchair lift.

1.     Begin by Looking at Ceiling Height

The first thing you’ll need to consider when you’re choosing a vertical wheelchair lift for your space is how much space you need in terms of height. If your ceilings are very low, you might need a special type of lift, or some additional construction work in the area where the lift will be positioned, to help maintain a safe and secure experience for the person in need of mobility support.

While it’s true that almost all wheelchair lifts available today can be adjusted to fit the inside of your property, there’s a good chance that you’ll find a specific model you prefer after you’ve evaluated your ceiling heights and looked at the unique options available for your circumstances. In some cases, the decision you make may even be aesthetic, as some vertical lifts can appear bulky and out of place if your ceilings are too low to the ground. In these cases, you may prefer to choose a low-profile model that looks more natural in the space available.

2.     Next, Think About Floor Space

When you first begin your search for the perfect wheelchair lift, you’ll learn that there are two major options available. The first is a “vertical lift” which is what we’re talking about today, and the second is an inclined lift. Inclined lifts are typically more effective for homes and environments that don’t have a great deal of floor space. This is because inclined lifts can be attached to the staircase in your property, and they don’t need lots of additional space to allow for installation.

However, if you want to install a vertical lift, then you will need to think carefully about floor space, as these solutions are typically situated away from the stairs. If you think you might not have enough space for a vertical lift in your environment, then you might need to think about looking at smaller models. If you do not find a model that will suit your needs perfectly, it’s best to switch your plans to an inclined lift, then to risk the safety issues of installing a vertical lift that’s too big.

3.     Always Remember to Focus on Safety

Last, but not least, it’s important to take the time to explore all of the available safety features that come as a part of your wheelchair lift experience. While many chairlifts will come with a range of necessary equipment like doors and buttons for movement, you may prefer specific lifts when you discover that some come with their own distinct extras.

Some people with mobility issues will feel a little nervous about the concept of riding in their new lift. This means that any extra features that help them to feel more confident could be useful in adding further comfort to your space.