With the summer season all set to kick off, the majority of us are planning a bunch of outdoor activities in the months to come. For individuals with mobility challenges, however, leaving the home can be a harrowing experience.
Do the stairs in front of your home represent a significant barrier for you or another member of your household? If so, the installation of a porch lift (also known as vertical platform lift) is in order! There are several common health conditions that porch lifts can help manage.
Arthritis.
Arthritis can severely limit mobility due to chronic joint pain, stiffness and inflammation. This is especially true for sufferers of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is known to affect all joints, but mostly the knees, hips, big toes, hands and spine. As you can imagine, this makes climbing stairs particularly difficult. Arthritis symptoms like stiffness, swelling, tenderness and joint sensitivity can significantly increase the risk of falling.
With a porch lift installed in front of your home, you can eliminate the need to climb outdoor stairs. This will reduce the strain placed on the hips, knees and ankles. With just the press of a button, users can move safely from the ground to their porch or entryway without pain or overexertion. As the Arthritis Society of Canada, puts it, arthritis “steals mobility, independence, mental health, careers and life’s special moments. But we can help take back what arthritis has stolen.”
Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
MS is notorious for impacting balance, muscle strength and coordination. It is also the culprit for fatigue and muscle spasms which make navigating stairs unsafe or impossible. Known symptoms of MS include tiredness, numbness or weakness in the arms and legs, trouble walking and keeping balance. As advised by MS Canada, multiple sclerosis sufferers should install handrails on both sides of their staircases. They are also encouraged to use staircases with several landings to prevent long falls.
For individuals with MS, porch lifts offer a reliable, energy-saving way to enter and exit the home. Many models come with easy-to-use controls and safety features like non-skid platforms and automatic gates. These are especially useful for people with unpredictable symptoms.
Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder of the nervous system, which controls many parts of the body. Sadly, Parkinson’s is known to only worsen over time. This debilitating condition can lead to tremors as well as rigidity and slowed movement. Naturally, this can make stair use difficult and dangerous.
A porch lift, of course, eliminates the need for someone with Parkinson’s to climb stairs manually. Does the Parkinson’s sufferer in your life use a mobility aid to get around? Porch lifts provide a secure alternative that accommodates walkers or wheelchairs. Users with Parkinson’s, as well as their caregivers, can avoid hazardous stairs and maintain a greater sense of autonomy at home.
Porch lifts also provide safe access to and from the home to those recovering from strokes, suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and experiencing mobility impairments due to aging or injury.
Contact LifeCare Mobility Solutions today!
The LifeCare Mobility Solutions is here to help you find the porch lift that will satisfy your needs. Please don’t hesitate to call us at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
