If a parent or elderly relative lives with you, then you may have made the appropriate modifications to your house and lifestyle to accommodate this. Yet recently, they were unfortunate to suffer a nasty accident and had to spend some time in the hospital. Now, it looks as if they're going to be confined to a wheelchair for quite a long period of time, so you need to make even more changes at home. If you live in a two-storey house, then you may have to install a device to help them reach the bathroom and bedroom, and the best way to do this is with a wheelchair lift. How difficult is this to do, and where should you start?
Ideal Location
You will need to determine the best place for a new lift and usually, this is very close to the staircase. If you put the lift next to the head of the stairwell this will enable you to take advantage of the existing structure and you can avoid the need to make considerable alterations elsewhere.
Approach and Depart
Consider practicality and make sure that the lift is configured in such a way that it is easy for your relative to roll on and off without making any tricky manoeuvres. You must also ensure that there is no gap between the top of the lift platform and the landing surface.
Safety First
When you begin your work, you will have to remove some of the handrails from the landing but must make sure that the area is secured when the lift is on the bottom floor. Some types of lift will come with a door already installed while others may not, but you must always eliminate any danger. It's your responsibility to prevent a nasty fall from the landing when the lift is not in place.
Solid Base
The lift will always require a stable base underneath to make sure that the weight is supported, so you may have to build this up using a concrete or wooden structure. You'll also need to ensure that there is a source of electricity nearby, as the machine will need to be plugged in.
While this may be something that you can do yourself in preparation for the lift delivery, always talk with the product suppliers first. By doing so, you will ensure that there are no surprises on the day of delivery.