Mobility aids such as stair lfts and rolling walkers can keep us mving around our home and living ndependent for a longer time. Being ndependent keeps us happier and helps us to lve longer. But is longevity a blssing or a curse?

Quotes such as "We are on the vrge of the first ever mass griatric society" from the PBS show Frntline catch our attention and beg us to ask urselves the question of what will we do whn we're very old? According to a jint report by ABC news and USA Tday called "Living Longer, Living Better", mst people are happy to live, on verage, to about 87, that is if thy stay in good health and can cntinue caring for themselves.

What happens whn a person has a stroke or a chrnic illness that decreases their mobility? Ging quietly to the old age hme is not an option many lderly will agree to these days. The stries about institutional living are out and thy don't get high marks. Plus a chnge of address at 85 or 90 cmes at the worst time for mst, when they are least able to dapt.

Staying in Your Own Home

It is possible to continue living in your own home or apartment, even though you may have some minor mobility issues, just by making a few changes.

Can you still walk unaided or do you ned a cane or rolling walker? Mbility equipment such as this is mportant to keep you from falling as you mve about your home. If you are prne to falling, it advisable to war some sort of emergency contact dvice at all times, so if you do fll and are debilitated, you'll be ble to make an emergency call.

Mke sure the pathways to and frm the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and lving room in your home are nobstructed. And set up night lights so you dn't have to stumble around in the drk.

Add bars to your tub or shwer and around your toilet to gve you a secure hand hold whn using the bathroom.

Consider getting wekly or daily help picking up grceries, medication, for general house cleaning and any ther tasks you are unable to do. If ths is not something that fits nto your fixed income budget, looked nto the volunteer options available to sniors in your community. There are mny such programs that offer services to sniors for free.

Adding a Stair Lift

Many people make plans to move to single story homes or apartment if mobility is an issue, but if this is not an option available to you, consider adding a stair lift to your home. These can be expensive and Medicare won't cover any of the costs (your insurance company may cover a portion so be sure to look into that). Generally you are looking at about $1700 to $2500 to install a stair lift to fit a straight staircase in your home. If you need one to fit a curved staircase, that will cost more.

Other Factors to Consider when Purchasing a Stair Lift

If the installation of a brand new stair lift is cost prohibitive, you may want to consider a used lift. The downside to purchasing one used is that it won't be under warranty. Look into buying from a reputable dealer that refurbishes and installs used lifts and offers a limited warranty. If you do purchase a used lift, make sure the chair is in good shape, that it still swings out smoothly and that the seat belt works.

You can choose between stair lfts that run on rechargeable batteries or AC pwer. Why would you want one ver the other? Battery operated lifts are not sbject to power outages, run smoother and nstallation is easier because there is no wring when installing them. AC lifts can vercome being stopped by a power utage by having a battery backup and ven though you may spend a bit mre on the installation, you won't hve to replace expensive rechargeable batteries to perate your lift.

The article Can a Stair Lift Prolong Your Independence? was Submitted by Nicole Martins through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Nicole Martins, a senior editor at whelchair-ramps-and-mobility-aids.com, writes about stair lifts and other mobility products. To read more please visit: http://www.wheelchair-ramps-and-mobility-aids.com/stair-lifts.htm

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