A loss of mobility may be one of the most frustrating and disheartening health issues for anyone to face. Whether due to aging, injury, or illness, mobility problems can limit your independence outside and inside your home. If you own a house with more than one floor, getting around may become challenging, painful, or even impossible.
Fortunately, there are options that will allow you to stay in your own home while still maintaining as much of your independence as possible. Installing a residential elevator into your house is one potential choice. It can be an excellent way to continue enjoying your home, even if using your stairs is suddenly much more challenging than before.
Why Should You Consider a Residential Elevator?
The primary reason for considering an elevator for your home is to reduce or eliminate the need to use your stairs without giving up usage of your home's upper floors. Elevators are ideal for situations where you still have enough mobility to move around but find climbing stairs challenging or painful. An elevator can also be an excellent safety device since it will eliminate the risk of falling on the stairs.
While installing an elevator can be expensive, it can also be cost-saving. Reduced mobility often means relying more on healthcare services such as in-home assistants. If you can't move between floors, you may need help cleaning or even getting to bed at night. An elevator can allow you to perform more of these tasks yourself, helping you save money on your healthcare costs.
What's Necessary to Retrofit an Elevator Into Your Home?
When you picture an elevator, are you picturing the heavy-duty units found in many commercial buildings or apartment blocks? These units require significant space and upkeep, but the good news is that residential elevators don't have the same drawbacks. Numerous options exist for retrofitting attractive, affordable, and space-saving elevators into your home.
Common choices for mobility purposes include shaftless elevator lifts and machine roomless (MRL) elevators. Shaftless elevator lifts are particularly affordable for two-story homes since they typically only require space for a platform, track, and motor. MRL elevators take up more space and require more machinery, but they may be more suitable if you need a higher weight capacity.
Is a Residential Elevator Right for You?
Retrofitting a residential elevator is often the best solution to mobility issues that make moving from one floor to another more challenging. Elevators are safe, effective, and easy to use, making them a great way to get around your house while minimizing the likelihood of falls and maximizing your ability to continue living independently.
If you're unsure if this solution is a good fit (or affordable) for your situation, a consultation with an installer can help you better understand your options.
