What to Consider When Choosing a Wheelchair Platform Lift?

by Kevin Smith Author

Choosing a wheelchair platform lift entails a lot of thoughtful decision making to get it right. The type of platform lift is the most important, but you also have to consider comfort and the capabilities of the person or people most likely to use it. If you are looking to purchase and install a wheelchair platform lift in Louisiana, make sure you cover these things as part of your decision-making process.

What Has to Be Traversed

Are you getting your lift for stairs and if so how many? Or, are you getting your lift for an incline or to lift the wheelchair up to the platform, like a deck. The demands what you want to traverse put on your platform lift are significant in terms of ability to get the job done, speed, maintenance, and durability.

The functionality of the Person in the Wheelchair

You want the lift to be safe for the person or people using it at all times. That means it has to have safety standards that are impeccable. If a person is highly immobile you need a different set of safety precautions than if the person is slightly or even normally mobile, but is using the lift for sickness reasons. At the same time, you do not want so many safety features the person or people using it feel smothered. A balance is key.

Type of Lift

Do you want a vertical platform lift or an inclined platform lift? An inclined lift allows for the gradual lifting of the wheelchair up a set of stairs. A vertical lift will need a lot more space as it lifts straight up. Make sure you assess if your space can handle the type of lift you want and whether it makes sense for the person or people using it.

Location and Purpose

Are you getting the lift for a loved one in their home or are your lift needs in a public building? How many people will use the lift on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis? Anything but a home will require a commercial/public lift, which has different code requirements than a home-oriented lift. Public places include government buildings, stores, restaurants, churches, schools, etc.

You also will have to decide if your platform lift needs are inside or outside oriented. If it is for a deck, you will need to install a solid gate at the top landing. An outside platform lift should be weatherproof. An internal lift should be easy to maintain, particularly in a confined space.

If you are looking for a wheelchair platform lift in Louisiana, you have much more to consider than just price. Making sure your choice meets your needs is critical to ensuring everyone who uses the lift will be satisfied. These aspects of lift selection will help you do just that.