The Most Cost-Effective Long-Term Care Aid: Stairlifts for Safer Mobility at Home
The daily needs of elderly family members—clothing, food, housing, and mobility—are often a constant concern for their children. This is especially true for those who work in other cities and cannot regularly check on elderly parents living alone. Much of this worry comes from one of the most routine yet potentially dangerous activities at home: going up and down the stairs.
Have you noticed your aging parents slowing down on the stairs, needing to hold onto the wall, or even hesitating before taking the next step?
For seniors with limited mobility, a single fall can lead to serious consequences. That’s why choosing the right long-term care assistive device is one of the most direct and effective ways to improve home safety.
When considering solutions, many people first think of installing a home elevator. However, the high cost and complex construction requirements often exceed the needs and budget of most families. In comparison, stairlifts offer a practical balance of safety, usability, and affordability. Once installed, they can be used for many years—providing a long-term, worry-free solution for daily mobility at home.
What is a Stair Lift? One of the Most Popular Home Care Mobility Aids
A stairlift, also known as an electric stair chair, is a motorized seat installed along a dedicated rail beside the staircase. It uses a smooth and stable lifting system to help people with limited mobility travel safely up and down the stairs.
By simply sitting on the chair, users can move between floors with ease. Stairlifts significantly reduce the risk of falls while preserving seniors’ independence and dignity, which is why they have become one of the most popular home-based long-term care mobility aids today.
What Types of Stair Lifts Are There?
1.Straight-Track Stair Lifts
A straight-rail stairlift features a rail that runs in a straight line, making it ideal for staircases without turns. Its simple structure allows for quick and easy installation, but it is less suitable for homes with complex or multi-turn staircases.
2.Curved-Track Stair Lifts
Single-Curve Stair Lifts:
A single-curve stairlift features a rail that follows a single bend along the staircase, staying close to the floor and taking up minimal visual space. Its sleek and modern design is appealing, but in Taiwan, most models are imported, which makes them more expensive overall despite their stylish appearance.
Double-Curve Stair Lifts:
The double-curve stairlift is currently the most common and practical design for typical households in Taiwan. It allows the chair to rotate smoothly at bends, requiring a certain amount of staircase width but accommodating most residential stair layouts. Among all types, double-curve stairlifts strike a balance between safety, stability, and affordability, making them a highly recommended choice for families mindful of their budget.
What to Consider Before Installing a Stair Lift?
Most stairlifts on the market are fully customized, with each unit precisely measured and manufactured to fit the specific shape of the staircase. This allows solutions to accommodate almost any stair configuration.
For example, Tencity Technology’s double-curve stairlift uses solid upper and lower rails with an integrated rack-and-rail system, a proprietary technology that has been successfully installed across multiple locations in Taiwan.
The technology behind double-curve stairlifts is now highly mature and does not require any modifications to the existing staircase structure or materials. However, there are still several important considerations to keep in mind before installation.
1.Staircase Width:
Generally, a staircase should have a clear width of at least 69 cm (excluding posts, handrails, and other structural elements) to consider installing a stairlift. Before installation, professionals will precisely measure each step and use the data to manufacture a custom-fit stairlift at the factory, ensuring a perfect fit with the staircase.
During installation, a rail approximately 10 cm wide is mounted along the wall or handrail side, closely following the stairline without affecting the existing structure. The seat itself features a foldable design, allowing smooth installation and safe operation even on narrower or steeper staircases. When folded up, the chair still leaves ample space for other family members to move freely, maintaining both safety and convenient daily circulation.
<Read More: TENGCHENG Stair Lift – Suitable Environments>
2.Load Capacity:
Before installing a stairlift, it is essential to assess the user’s actual weight and any additional load they may carry. Operating the stairlift under constant overload can accelerate mechanical wear and, in severe cases, compromise safety. Therefore, weight capacity is a critical consideration.
Stairlifts are designed to carry both people and items, but it is important to pay attention to the product’s rated load and maximum carrying capacity. Because the forces exerted on the stairlift differ between a stationary state and during starting, ascending, or descending, the actual safe load may vary. It is recommended to consult a professional before purchase to ensure the lift meets the specific needs.
For users primarily requiring single-person use or transporting small items, the CF-120 single-seat stairlift is an excellent choice. With a rated load of 120 kg and a carrying capacity of 100 kg, it meets the daily needs of most households, striking a good balance between safety and practicality.
For households with higher load requirements or the need to transport larger items, the CF-150 multi-functional stairlift is recommended. Designed for heavy-duty and versatile use, it provides more stable and secure operation, making it ideal for families with practical transportation needs. Additionally, for users who rely on a wheelchair, the CF-150 offers a user-friendly and practical solution. Its spacious platform allows direct wheelchair access without repositioning, significantly reducing caregiver effort while enhancing the user’s independence and safety, making stair navigation no longer an obstacle in daily life.
3.Maintenance & Warranty:
When considering whether to install a stairlift, it is important to look beyond the product specifications and features. The country of manufacture and the location of the service provider are equally crucial. This is not simply about judging quality based on origin, but about ensuring timely and convenient support for installation, routine maintenance, repairs, and user inquiries.
Tencity’s electric stairlifts are all manufactured in Taiwan and supported by a local professional team, allowing them to respond quickly to customers’ needs. Compared to imported brands, this approach significantly reduces waiting times for installation, maintenance, or any questions during use, giving both users and their families peace of mind for long-term, worry-free operation.
<Read More: TENGCHENG Stair Lifts – After-Sales & Warranty Information>
In terms of materials, Tencity stairlifts use solid 304 stainless steel rails, which offer excellent corrosion resistance and effectively withstand Taiwan’s humid climate, significantly extending the product’s lifespan. Under normal use, the stairlift can last over 30 years, providing long-term peace of mind.
From a technical standpoint, the stairlift operates on a mechanical main drive system, which is stable and requires minimal maintenance. Unlike models driven by electronic IC boards—which may require full replacement in case of a failure—this design reduces repair costs and ensures reliable long-term operation. By balancing durability, safety, and ease of use, Tencity stairlifts help seniors move between floors with confidence and independence.
Conclusion
Elderly people with limited mobility truly need our care and assistance, and stairlifts are an excellent solution for helping them navigate stairs safely. Rather than worrying constantly, it’s better to take action. TENGCHENG provides on-site measurement, quotation, and installation services so you can consult directly with a professional!
