Parenting a child with limited mobility can be difficult. Every turn presents a new challenge, and knowing where to turn for help can be difficult. For children with limited mobility, simple tasks like climbing stairs can seem like an insurmountable obstacle, blocking them from accessing important areas of their home.
As a parent, finding the right solution to help your child navigate this maze with ease and independence is important. One solution that can make a big difference is a stairlift, but it’s important to know what to look for when choosing one.
Here are five things you should know about stairlifts:
Work with a Dealer to Find Options and Features for Your Child’s Stairlift to Best Meet Their Specific Needs
Opting for special features and options for the stairlift may be necessary to meet your child’s needs and abilities. When working with a certified dealer, you can request options and add-ons for your stairlift that can help make moving through the home easier. For instance, you can opt for a swivel seat that enables easy transfers or an adjustable seat height that better accommodates your child’s body. Additionally, if your child has limited hand dexterity, many stairlifts are already designed with larger toggles for easier operation. This way, you can ensure that your child gets the safe and comfortable experience they deserve while using a stairlift that is uniquely theirs.
Ensure Your Child’s Safety with Stairlift’s Built-In Features
Safety is a top concern when it comes to stairlifts for children with limited mobility. Some of the top safety features to look for in stairlifts include seatbelts to help secure your child in the seat, sensors that detect obstructions on the stairs and stop the lift to avoid a collision, an emergency stop button, a footrest safety sensor that stops the lift if an object obstructs the footrest, and an operational toggle on the stairlift arm that requires continuous pressure to operate, ensuring that the lift stops if the user releases pressure on the control.
At Harmar, we understand the importance of safety, and all our stairlifts come equipped with these safety features and more. As a result, you can trust our stairlifts to provide a safe and reliable solution for your child’s mobility needs.
Save Space in Your Home with a Compact Stairlift Design
Space-saving design is an important consideration when choosing a stairlift for your home. Stairlifts are designed to take up minimal space on the stairs when not in use, allowing other family members to use the stairs without interference. The amount of space needed will depend on the specific model of the stairlift and the width of your stairs. A certified dealer can evaluate your staircase and recommend the best stairlift solution for your home. For narrow or curved staircases, specially designed stairlifts can fit into tight spaces without sacrificing safety or comfort. By choosing a stairlift with a space-saving design, you can ensure that your child can safely and conveniently access virtually any area in your home.
Find the Right Financing or Assistance Program to Make Your Stairlift More Affordable
Financing and assistance programs are available to help make a stairlift more affordable for families with children with special needs. These programs can be found through government resources, stairlift manufacturers, and non-profit organizations.
Medicaid and the Veterans Administration are examples of government resources that may provide financial assistance for stairlifts. In addition, non-profit organizations, such as the Travis Roy Foundation, the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and the United Healthcare Children’s Foundation, may also provide financial assistance.
You can also research financing and assistance programs by contacting local government agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or consulting with a certified dealer. A certified dealer can help you explore all available options and find the best solution for your family.
We have an additional resource to explore for additional information about stairlift grants and funding opportunities.
Get Expert Advice and Professional Installation from Certified Dealers
Choosing a certified dealer is important for ensuring that you receive reliable advice and professional installation services. At Harmar, we work with a network of accessibility product dealers who are trained and experienced in installing and servicing Harmar stairlifts. They can also provide expert advice and installation services, ensuring that your stairlift meets your child’s needs and operates safely.
If you’d like to learn more about stairlifts, review our stairlift buyers guide.
