Going Up in a Wheelchair Lift

Climbing the stairs is not something that can be done in an easy manner for people who use a wheelchair or mobility scooter. If they are able to climb the stairs, it usually means leaving their mobility device behind, which is why many people install a porch lift.

A porch lift is another way of referring to a vertical platform lift, which is a cost effective alternative to a personal elevator. The reason they are usually called porch lifts is because they are most often found on the front porch of a home.

Since a vertical platform lift is basically a self contained elevator, there are no expensive construction costs and usually they can be assembled and installed in a few hours. They feature a platform that is large enough for a mobility vehicle, such as an electric wheelchair, and often another person. The platform raises and lowers vertically at the push of a button and safely carries a person and their personal mobility vehicle.

Most vertical platform lifts support around five-hundred pounds and are able to withstand even the harshest weather conditions. Most often a vertical platform lift is securely bolted onto a base of wood or concrete, but some portable models are available. The portable models do not have as high of a weight capacity or lifting height as other models do, but they can be quickly and easily set up or taken down. They are very popular in churches and schools.

It can be hard to get around if you use an electric wheelchair or a mobility scooter, but there is no reason that you should not have complete access to all areas of your home. If you need a quick and inexpensive alternative to an elevator than a vertical platform lift is a great choice.