Why Should I Get A Wheelchair Lift?

There are two reasons why you may currently, or one day, need a wheelchair lift in your vehicle. The first is that you may be elderly or have a disability that requires you to use a wheelchair, and the second is that you may be the carer for someone who is wheelchair bound.

For many people, a wheelchair lift can give them a new lease on life. If you yourself are wheelchair bound, a lift would give you the opportunity to get out of the house more and to do so in comfort. If you care for someone who is elderly or disabled, a lift can reduce the physical strain placed on you as it minimises heavy lifting and allows you to easily assist a disabled individual. This can be especially significant as people who may have before needed help to transport a wheelchair (such as the elderly, or pregnant women) are now able to do it themselves at the touch of a button.

If you have decided that you should invest in a wheelchair lift, you have two options: to buy a pre-modified vehicle, or to have your existing vehicle (if it is suitable) fitted with a wheelchair lift mechanism. Most mini-vans, buses and 4-wheel-drive type vehicles are suitable for such an installation.

Lifts can also be fitted in a way that best suits the vehicle and the type of wheelchair needing to be transported. A single-arm platform lift is only used for side-entry to a vehicle and is handy for cars that have minimal interior space (as it doesn’t take up much room). On the other hand, a dual-arm platform lift takes up a lot of interior space and, so, is often mounted in the back of the vehicle.

The purchase of a wheelchair lift is an important decision that anyone who is in a wheelchair or who cares for someone needing one should consider.