If you are in the market for a platform lift, you should know that there is more to think about than just how the lift will get you in and out of the van. You’ll need to think about space necessities, mode of operation and your passengers as well. Below we’ve listed three main concerns that everyone who is considering buying a platform lift should think about.

The first point to consider for the wheelchair lift is the comfort level of your passengers. If you need the rear of the van to be free so that people can board and exit your vehicle, then you should look for a wheelchair lift that won’t take up a lot of space. Some lifts for wheelchairs mount to the floor of the van, and they would make it difficult for passengers to climb in and out, but others mount to the bottom of the van.

Your next consideration should be the switches that operate the lift, and whether or not you will be able to operate them. Look for one that is easily accessed by you, and can be controlled with ease. Some people have different abilities to use their hands, feet or other muscles. If possible, look for lift controls that you will be able to manipulate or modify and then use. In addition to the power switch, you should have a manual crank or some other mechanism in the power lift in case of a power shortage.

Finally, you’ll need to look closely at the platform’s edges. These edges will make is impossible for the wheel chair to slide off of the platform when it’s lifting. Some edges are higher than others and, depending on your wheelchair, could make it very difficult to get on and off of the wheelchair van lift. In addition, you should look for handrails to hold onto while you get in and off of the wheeled chair lift.

Car lifts facilitate in moving the wheelchair in and out of a car. Lifting a heavy wheelchair is not an easy task for the disabled especially if they are older or lack upper body strength. These lifts are wired to the vehicle’s batteries and are operated by a simple-to-use hand remote control that even people with increased physical disabilities can operate. Most models of lifts are compatible with SUV’s, minivans or just the trunk of a normal car.

There are a variety of lifts for cars available and cover almost every wheelchair and car style. Many of these car lifts work by simply pulling the wheelchair, which is controlled by a hand held remote control into the trunk of the car. The disadvantage of these lifts is the space they occupy inside the car. A simple straightforward lightweight lift would cost you around $600 while more sophisticated lifts such as the Harmar Mobility AL400 could cost you around $2400.

A slightly cheaper alternative to a lifting device is a ‘basket’ that mounts on the back of your vehicle. One of the great things about these basket lifts for your car is that you don’t need to disassemble your electric wheelchair in order for it to fit in the car. Nor does it take up any internal space, be it in the form of seats or trunk space. The downside is that the wheelchair is attached to the outside of your car whilst you are moving where it is exposed to wind and weather, and possibly theft. Whilst these devices are proven to be perfectly safe, you might find it slightly disconcerting to have your wheelchair carried outside the car.

If you invest in this type of car lift, be sure that, when the car is being used without the wheelchair extension that the shelf has been taken off to lessen the risk of someone driving behind you unwittingly driving into it. It sticks out a fair distance at the back, and can be hazardous when there is nothing on it, as it is hard to see. Most of these type of lifts are made of galvanized steel and therefore are rust resistant. They usually cost under $800 depending on the manufacturer.

If you rely on a wheelchair to get around, you may be wondering what benefits there are to residential elevators. Some people believe that home elevators can make your life much simpler, but as in every major decision, there are pros and cons that you should consider when thinking about whether or not to install an elevator in your home.

The first consideration has to be whether or not you have the space for an elevator in your home. Some people convert an open stairway into an elevator shaft, while others use closet space that aligns on both floors. Still others install a home elevator by adding on an addition to their residential space. If you are considering installing an elevator in your residence, you should have a vertical space for the elevator shaft of about 54 x 48 inches. In addition, you’ll need 3’ for the elevator door to open and close.

The next thing you should think about when considering whether or not to install an elevator in your residential home is how it will affect the value of your home. Do you plan to live in your home for a long time, or will you move residences shortly? A home elevator will likely negatively affect the value of your home, unless the future buyer happened to rely on a wheelchair as well. Think carefully about whether or not the installation of an elevator in your house will outweigh the possible loss of value on your residence.

Finally, you should know that a home elevator will increase the costs of the monthly electric bills in your home. Because an elevator is run by power, your monthly residential electric bills will go up, and you should think about whether or not you can afford it
Have You Tried The SilverGlide Stair Lift?

Getting Advice About Wheelchair Lifts for Vehicles When you are in the market for wheelchair lifts, it can be difficult to know which model to choose. After all, you have to consider which style of lift is right for your wheel chair, where the lift should be mounted, whether or not the user will be able to operate the wheeled chair lift, and how the lift for the chair will affect the interior of the van. In addition, you must determine how much outdoor space will be necessary for mounting and dismounting from the wheelchair lift, whether the height of the platform lift will be workable with your particular wheelchair, and how the scooter lift will affect the passenger side door entrance of the van. Wow! With all of these considerations, where do you go to for advice about which wheelchair lift is right for you? Luckily, there are two professionals that should be able to help. The first is the chair lift installer. These people are trained in every type of lift, and would most likely be happy to share their expertise with you. You can ask them specific questions about things like, how much space a particular platform lift will take, or whether a rear mount or side mount lift will best suit your particular needs. In addition, they would be a great source of information about wheeled chair lift’s reliability and ease of operation. You should find a good wheelchair lift installer and form a relationship with them. Next, if you’re planning to mount your wheelchair lift in a van or other vehicle, you should consult a rehabilitation driving specialist and ask them questions specific to your needs. They will perform a thorough assessment of your situation, and then help you decide which wheel chair lift would be right for you. You should check with a wheelchair ramp and lift dealer to find one of these professionals.