6 Crucial Tips for Choosing Wheelchair Lift 

A wheelchair lift may be a valuable addition for someone who has mobility challenges or impairments.  

 
 

Wheelchair lifts provide the same accessibility as wheelchair ramps while taking up far less room. People with these disabilities can go from one floor to the next using a wheelchair lift, eliminating risky and potentially dangerous lifting and handling activities. Let us first address specific questions before delving into their significance. 

 
 

What exactly is a wheelchair lift? 

 
 

A wheelchair lift is a secure platform lifted and lowered by a strong motor. These lifts can transport a chair or an occupied wheelchair to and from a vehicle or up and down stairs. Wheelchair lifts are installed on vehicles, houses, or companies to enable wheelchair access to upper floors when elevators are unavailable.  

 

Wheelchair lift models 

 
 

Vertical platform lifts, inclined platform lifts, and hoist lifts are the three main types of wheelchair lifts. 

 
 

Vertical Platform Wheelchair Lifts: Vertical platform lifts can raise a wheelchair from a few inches to ten feet. They make it possible for you to obtain access to an outside porch or an entry door.  

 
 

Crane or Hoist Wheelchair Lifts: Crane wheelchair lifts are less prevalent than other lifts and are most typically used to raise an unoccupied wheelchair. Crane lifts have no platform and operate similarly to construction cranes. 

 
 

Inclined Platform Wheelchair Lifts: A ready lift's platform tilts at an angle rather than horizontal, going up and down like an escalator. Inclined platform wheelchair lifts, like vertical platform lifts, are intended to move a person seated in the chair.  

 
 

Auto Wheelchair Lifts: Auto or vehicle lifts are often used to transfer an unoccupied wheelchair, and while the majority are substantial platform lifts, there are various specialized auto lifts. 

 
 

Tips for Choosing a Wheelchair Lift 

 
 

Factor In Your Ceiling Height 

 
 

When selecting a vertical wheelchair lift for your room, you'll need to consider how much height you require. If your ceilings are shallow, you may require a particular type of lift or additional construction work in the area where the lift will be installed to ensure a safe and secure experience for the individual needing mobility assistance. 

 
 

While practically all wheelchair lifts available today can be altered to match the interior of your home, there's a high chance you'll find a specific model you like after assessing your ceiling heights and considering the unique possibilities available for your situation.  

 
 

Consider Floor Space. 

 
 

When you initially start looking for the ideal wheelchair lift, you'll see two primary possibilities; vertical and inclined lifts. Inclined lifts are often more effective in houses and surroundings with limited floor space. This is because inclined lifts may be added to your home's staircase and do not require a lot of extra room for installation. 

 
 

However, if you want to construct a vertical lift, you must carefully consider floor space since these solutions are often located away from the stairs. If you believe you will not have enough room for a vertical lift in your setting, you should choose the smaller version. If you can't locate a model that correctly fits your demands, it's better to convert to an inclined lift than to risk the safety risks of installing a too-large vertical lift. 

 

Have A Budget 

 
 

As lovely as it would be to state that money isn't a factor, it is something to bear in mind. It will cost between $1,000 and $7,000 to build simple bracket-style lifts for traditional wheelchairs to fully motorized power chair lifts. The cost is further affected by automation and weight capacity. Remember that just because the higher-end devices are out of your price range doesn't imply a less costly choice won't do the job. You might be able to save costs by selecting an option that requires manual placement in the car. If you can complete that activity without difficulty, it's something to think about because it might save you money. 

 
 

Prioritize safety. 

 
 

Last but not least, it's critical to investigate the possible safety features of your wheelchair lift experience. While many chairlifts will have various essential equipment such as doors and movement buttons, you may prefer certain lifts if you learn that some come with unique features. 

 
 

People with mobility challenges may be concerned about riding in their new lift. This implies that any different characteristics that make people feel more confident may be valuable in bringing further comfort to your area. 

 
 
 

Choose a renowned brand. 

 
 

Wheelchair lifts must adhere to particular codes established by industry organizations, so select a well-known brand name. Companies with a long history of manufacturing quality products also charge for long-term durability and dependability. A non-working product is more than simply inconvenient. 

 
 

Weight Capacity  

 
 

Select a lift with a greater capacity than what would generally be lifted. Manual wheelchairs typically weigh 15 to 35 pounds. However, electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters can weigh up to 400 pounds. Some lifts come equipped with a weight capability of 750 pounds. This gives ample lifting ability for the user, their wheelchair or scooter, and any other goods they choose to transfer.  

 
 

Conclusion 

 
 

Living alone with a disability can be difficult, but with a wheelchair lift, life is made simpler. You don't need someone to help you up and down the steps. With the help of a wheelchair lift, you may become self-sufficient.