The Mental and Physical Benefits of Installing a Stair Lift
A straight stair lift is a very practical solution to the problems faced by someone who feels unable to move independently around their home. However, it is more than just a practical answer to a logistical problem; a stair lift can also improve a person’s mental and physical wellbeing.
If a previously active person suddenly finds themself with limited mobility, they can quickly refrain from using the ability and freedom to move they still have. It can be very difficult to suddenly feel trapped by one’s own lack of mobility and to feel that every movement is a chore. In order to make life easier, a family member or carer is likely to have rearranged the house to make all essential items close to hand. This means that the person will start moving around far less because they simply won’t need to. Furthermore, trips upstairs may well be kept to a minimum due to the effort they require. The result of all this is that the person ends up doing very little exercise, which could result in further health problems and ever-reduced mobility.
The installation of a stair lift will take the difficulty out of getting up and down stairs and allow the person to feel free to easily roam around their house once more. A person with reduced mobility will soon see how much freedom they do still have and is likely to then be more motivated to venture outside or to start doing small chores around the house again, thus increasing their daily activity level.
Straight stair lifts also promote better mental health by allowing people with limited mobility to feel more independent. Feeling overly dependent on others can lead to stress, which, if left undetected, can escalate over time and lead to serious mental and physical conditions including insomnia or depression. With freedom to get around one’s own home and an ability to carry out everyday tasks returned, people with limited mobility are likely to feel less of a burden on those that care for them and more able to carry on with a their old lifestyle.
